Rotorua to Host National Community Awards Event

Rotorua Lakes District will host the 2016 Trustpower National Community Awards in March 2017.

This announcement was made at the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards held in Dunedin last night where Rotorua’s Youth in Emergency Services was named runner-up to the West Otago Health Trust from the Clutha District.

The Trustpower Community Awards are the country’s largest recognition programme for voluntary groups and organisations. The three-day event, the highlight of the Trustpower Community Awards calendar, will see around 160 people converge on Rotorua for the 17thannual Awards event.

The hosting region for the Trustpower National Community Awards alternates each year from the North to the South Island, with Trustpower preferring to hold the event in provincial New Zealand or where the company has strong customer bases.

Trustpower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says as well as recognising and promoting the work of volunteers, the Trustpower National Community Awards also offers an opportunity to showcase the host region.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this prestigious event to Rotorua. Through the Trustpower National Community Awards we will be doing all we can to promote this region filled with a rich and unique collection of venues, facilities, action-tourism activities and iconic heritage and culture,” says Suzi.

Steve Chadwick, Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor, who represented her region at the latest Trustpower National Community Awards in Dunedin, congratulated Youth in Emergency Services for coming runner up with their brand new idea engaging youth in volunteering.

She says she is thrilled that Rotorua will host the 2016 Trustpower National Community Awards event.

“Voluntary groups and volunteers are so crucial to events in Rotorua. For example we recently attracted a group of volunteers for Crankworx, the Olympics of mountain biking. They were ambassadors for our place.

“When people attend these awards, we will show them a good time in Rotorua. Looking after our visitors is important to us. We want them to enjoy what we have to offer –beautiful lakes and forests, mountain biking, trout fishing and our spa, health and wellness options.

“As a council we support awards like this and encourage people to nominate deserving candidates,” said Mayor Chadwick.

The Trustpower Community Awards programme, which recognises voluntary groups and organisations, is run in 27 regions around New Zealand in conjunction with local city and district councils. Attending the National Community Awards will be the Supreme Winners from each of the regional Community Awards functions held during 2015, as well as the Mayors from each of the participating councils and invited guests.

For more information on the Trustpower Community Awards, visit www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards.

ENDS

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