Active lifestyles and eco-spirit sought by Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is on a mission. It wants to hear about people who are making a difference in their community – either through
promoting active lifestyles in young people or through environmental projects.
The first ever Coca-Cola Community Choice Awards will reward and recognise those who are inspiring others to make a
positive difference in these two areas. All nominations will come from the public.
“With today’s launch of the inaugural community choice awards we hope to engage community spirited people across the
nation. We want to hear about the people throughout New Zealand who are doing their bit to help our environment or are
helping to get young people active,” says Alison Sykora, Region Corporate Affairs Manager.
Each of the 10 finalists (five from each section) will receive $500 worth of their choice of Coca-Cola product. Each
category winner will receive a $2000 grant for their organisation or project and a trip to Auckland to spend the day
with Robert Swan OBE*.
Polar explorer Robert Swan will be in New Zealand as part of a trans-Tasman tour to promote the environment and active
lifestyles in co-operation with Coca-Cola.
“My experiences have taught me that individuals can choose to make a difference and I’m pleased to be able to recognise
New Zealanders who have done this through the Coca-Cola Community Choice Awards,” said Robert Swan.
Entering is easy and the public can enter themselves and their organisations or other people in their community. All
readers have to do is fill out the nomination form on the Coca-Cola website www.coke.co.nz/awards and send it back
(either by email or by print the form and post it to Coca-Cola Community Choice Awards, PO Box 62042, Mt Wellington,
Auckland). Or call 0800 505 123 and ask for a nomination form to be posted to you.
Coca-Cola is calling for entries now. Nominations close on Tuesday, 5 October 2004. Winners will be announced in
mid-October.
* Robert Swan OBE is passionate about protecting the environment and encouraging active lifestyles. An inspirational
man, he is the first person to have walked to both the South and North Poles. His environmental work includes organising
the removal of over 1000 tonnes of solid waste from Antarctica, using a team of 200 people from 60 nations. He will be
visiting New Zealand in early November as part of the Coca-Cola Community Choice Awards. Images of Mr Swan and his Polar
expeditions can be obtained from Alison Sykora 09 570 0690 or 021 567 106.
About Coca-Cola
Together, Coca-Cola Amatil NZ and Coca-Cola Oceania manufacture, market and distribute more than 100 beverage brands and
flavours in New Zealand. These include soft drinks, diet drinks, juices and juice drinks, cordials, waters, sports
drinks and energy drinks.
Coca-Cola Amatil is the authorised bottler of The Coca-Cola Company’s products in New Zealand. The two companies employ
more than 1000 people and CCA has plants in Auckland, Christchurch and Putaruru.
Coca-Cola’s contribution to the New Zealand community includes the annual Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park events in
Auckland and Christchurch and The Coca-Cola Careers Expo in Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Our
partnership with the National Association of OSCAR (Out of School Care and Recreation) has resulted in Go Kids!, a
national physical activity programme being made available to 500 out of school groups and more than 100,000 young New
Zealanders.