Iwi bring extra dimension to flagship awards
Iwi bring extra dimension to flagship awards
Taranaki’s flagship Environmental Awards are back for 2015, with regional iwi adding an extra dimension by sponsoring one of the award categories.
Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki and Ngāti Mutunga are jointly sponsoring Te taiao me te pākihi – Environmental leadership in business, one of five categories in the annual awards presented by the Taranaki Regional Council.
Other categories are Environmental leadership in dairy farming, sponsored by Fonterra; Environmental leadership in land management, sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; Environmental action in the community, sponsored by Methanex; and Environmental action in education, sponsored by Taranaki Daily News.
Nominations are open until 25 August and can be made online at www.trc.govt.nz/environmental-awards/. The awards will be presented in late October.
“We’re delighted that the five iwi are joining with us and the other sponsors to celebrate environmental achievement in the region,” says the Taranaki Regional Council Chairman, David MacLeod. “Their involvement can only deepen the significance and impact of these annual awards.”
The awards were inaugurated in 1993, with 219 presented so far.
Mr MacLeod says the Council’s latest five-yearly State of the Environment report, launched this week, highlights the tremendous effort put into environmental protection and enhancement by all sectors in Taranaki, and the awards are a fitting way to recognise such efforts.
“Our award winners are always great examples of the Taranaki ‘get on and do it’ attitude that is reflected in the results seen in the State of the Environment report: The region enjoys a generally good and improving environment.”
The Environmental Awards were revamped two years ago to allow greater recognition at a higher-profile presentation ceremony. As well as bringing sponsors on board, the new-look awards have more categories and a clearer focus on why awards are made.
ENDS