Auckland Council has been recognised for its excellence and innovation in the recreation industry as part of the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Awards.
The prestigious awards have been held annually since 1991 and recognise individuals, organisations, programmes and facilities that have made significant contributions to improving recreation and sport for New Zealanders.
Council scoops three awards
It was a big night for the region, with 10 awards going to individuals and organisations operating within Auckland’s sport and recreation sector. This included three awards for Auckland Council:
- Outstanding Park Award winner: Auckland Botanic Gardens
- Emerging Recreation Leader 2017 Award winner: Auckland Botanic Gardens Senior Gardener Education and Partnerships Julia Watson
- Merit award for Outstanding Project: Tōia Ōtāhuhu Recreation Precinct.
“These awards are reflective of our industry leadership and the high-quality talent we have within Auckland Council,” says Mace Ward, General Manager Parks, Sports and Recreation for Auckland Council.
"We are proud of these achievements and would like to congratulate all entrants."
“We would also like to acknowledge the successes of our partners Aktive, YMCA, Belgravia Leisure and Downer New Zealand, who were recognised for providing quality recreation and social enterprise opportunities in Auckland.”
Emerging Recreation Leader
Auckland Botanic Gardens’ Julia Watson was named the Emerging Recreation Leader for 2017 having demonstrated strong leadership and proven results over the past three years.
She was recognised for her commitment to engaging people with plants and the natural environment, and has revolutionised the way large displays in the visitor centre and site-wide themes are run.
Julia is also the Auckland Botanic Gardens' volunteer coordinator, and manages 110 regular volunteers who contribute more than 7500 hours each year. She has formed a number of strategic partnerships during her time with the council and successfully run a number of large-scale events.
“I feel honoured to have received this award. It’s been a fantastic three years working here at the Auckland Botanic Gardens and I look forward to continuing my work in the industry,” she says.
It was a particularly rewarding night for the Auckland Botanic Gardens team who also took out the Outstanding Park Award. Auckland Botanic Gardens attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year and is home to more than 10,000 plant species from around the world.
“These awards have given us the opportunity to look back on and celebrate the things that we have done as a team. This is the beginning of more to come.”
NZRA Awards
The NZRA Awards recognise the people who are integral to making New Zealand a world leader in recreation. This year, the awards were presented during the NZRA’s Recreation Conference at the TSB Showplace in New Plymouth. Visit the NZRA website for a full list of award recipients.
