Media Release
For Immediate Release
21 September 2005

Council staff scoop top New Zealand Honours

In a stunning achievement, Waitakere City Council staff have this year scooped both gold medals awarded by the New Zealand Geographical Society.

Ann Magee and Graeme Campbell, Director of Strategy and Development and Group Manager, Partnerships and Advocacy respectively, have each won the Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Award for 2005.

Dr Campbell, meanwhile, has also been honoured by being made a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand - which is the New Zealand offshoot of the oldest scientific society in the world.

The Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Award acknowledges outstanding contributions that prominent New Zealand Geographers have made to the New Zealand geographical community.

Ms Magee and Dr Campbell both passionately believe that the task of today’s generations is to use the earth’s resources wisely so that the planet can continue to support future generations indefinitely. Their respective lives and careers have been directed to this goal.

Ann Magee has an international reputation for her work on a variety of cutting edge achievements of local, national and international importance. These include her work on the New Zealand Historical Atlas and leading the development of the compact city approach to planning Waitakere city – and attempting to “future proof” the city. The compact form is now seen as the right way to go for the entire Auckland Region.

Graeme Campbell has worked in both Central and Local Government. He is recognised for his New Zealand leading expertise in developing environmental legislation – including the recent Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill. He was also New Zealand’s representative to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

ENDS

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