TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2015
Awards to recognise the stars of NZ recreation
Nominations are open for the annual New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) Awards, recognising innovative and
inspiring individuals and organisations that have made a lasting contribution to New Zealand recreation.
NZRA Chief Executive Andrew Leslie says the awards recognise those who make a positive difference in the lives of New
Zealanders every day.
He encourages people and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to recreation to consider putting
themselves forward for these prestigious awards.
“It’s satisfying to be able to give hardworking recreation professionals, organisations and volunteers a small part of
the recognition they deserve for providing us with opportunities to get active and enjoy ourselves.
"The recreation industry has a lot to celebrate and a lot we can learn from each other. There’s so much outstanding work
being done across our country and so many great stories just waiting to be told, and now is the perfect time to
recognise that.”
Last year’s award winners included Taranaki’s iconic Festival of Lights, which won the award for Outstanding Event, and
Wellington’s community-led mountain bike project South Coast Kids Track, which shared the Outstanding Project Award with
the William Nelson Park and Skatepark in Hastings.
Further south, the Christchurch-based Active Children and Canterbury Student Representative Programme both picked up
Merit awards in the Outstanding Community Recreation Programme category.
A long-standing champion of recreation, John Latimer of Community Leisure Management, was awarded the Mark Mitchell
Trophy in recognition of individual excellence and his outstanding personal contribution to the recreation industry
throughout his career.
Mr Leslie says he hopes this year’s Awards will build on last year’s success.
The 2015 Awards will be presented at a formal awards dinner to be held at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington as
part of NZRA’s National Conference in November.
Nominations close on 18 September. For more information or to make a nomination visit the Awards page under Professional
Development at www.nzrecreation.org.nz.
ENDS