Porirua City Wins Three Golds At Livcom Awards

Porirua City shone last night when it won three Gold Awards in the International Awards for Liveable Communities held in Chicago USA.

Porirua achieved Gold for its Village Planning Programme winning first place in the Socio Economic section of the Environmentally Sustainable Project Award; came second (with another Gold Award) in the Whole of City Award - Category B (average daytime population of between 20,000 – 75,000), and also topped the Community Sustainability criteria in the Whole of City award.

This third award is hugely significant because Porirua was judged alongside all the cities that entered (43 in total) including some of the biggest in the world like Montreal, Vancouver and Beijing.

"Porirua City beat them all for our excellence in community engagement and empowerment," says Mayor Nick Leggett.

"These awards are a fantastic recognition of the work of Porirua's communities. They are a testament to the city's ability to work together and that the Council can empower the community to take control of its own projects and decide what it wants. Waitangirua Park and the restored Plimmerton Station are prime examples."

"For Porirua to be recognised on the international stage in this way is tremendous. We were singled out for our community empowerment, strategic planning and were recognised for the practical integration of our arts, culture and heritage into our projects.

"This is a whole of city award and it deserves a whole of city pride. Porirua is one of the world's most liveable cities! "

Mayor Leggett singled out particular council officers for their work on Village Planning including Ian Barlow and Moira Lawler and former General Manager Sue Veart and outgoing Chief Executive Roger Blakeley. He said the awards could not have come together without the work of Communications and Marketing Manager Barbara Bercic and Acting Chief Executive David Rolfe.

"We will be talking to other councils about the significance of this award, be assured!"

Judges at the awards dinner last night said Porirua's Villages Programme was the finest example of a world leading socio economic project.

“This program engages and empowers residents in each sector of the city to develop and implement plans in their own way to reflect the distinct identity of each village. It is a groundbreaking partnership between the city council and the communities it serves," said Project judge Gus Stahlmann (USA).

Judge Yoritaka Tashiro of Japan who awarded the Community Sustainability Criteria Award said:
"Porirua is a truly inclusive community that gives its citizens a sense that they belong in that place, a place where they are comfortable that they have a voice that can easily be heard.
“This community, which has a rich mix of cultures and a range of socio-economic circumstances, has forged powerful partnerships with businesses and special interest groups. They have been recognised by the Prime Minister of their country as an outstanding community.”

PCC Chief Executive Gary Simpson, who took up his new position on 2 November, congratulated everyone who contributed to Porirua's success of the LivCom Awards.

"What's great about these awards is that they give small cities like Porirua the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with some of the biggest cities in the world. Porirua can be proud to know we are among the very best"

Jenny Brash, Porirua Mayor for 12 years who retired at the recent election said she was absolutely delighted and congratulates all involved with the achievement of the awards.

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