Whanganui to enter Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards
Published on 09 July 2019
Whanganui is entering the national Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards which celebrate towns, cities and local heroes who lead the way with outstanding environmental and beautification work.
Information about local Council and community beautification and environmental initiatives is currently being gathered to form a comprehensive entry which must be submitted by 31 July, 2019. Individuals, schools and groups can also submit their own entries.
Local initiatives identified include the Whanganui Walls street art festival, Coastcare activities, the Urban Shared Pathways initiative, Whanganui’s Town Regeneration Project, Bushy Park activity, litter and anti-dumping initiatives, the Heritage Grant Scheme and many more.
Councillors Helen Craig and Rob Vinsen were keen for the Council to submit an entry for the first time this year. “Whanganui has outstanding natural and built features that we should celebrate and put on a national stage.” says Cr Craig.
“We also strive to enhance our environment with beautification and clean-up projects,” says Cr Vinsen, “and entering these awards will help raise the importance of these initiatives in our community and hopefully accelerate projects to keep Whanganui beautiful.”
Cr Craig says, “If you know of any projects or initiatives underway you think could be included in our entry, please get in touch via yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz.”
Background
Keep New Zealand Beautiful is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping communities clean, safe and beautiful. Campaigns like ‘Be A Tidy Kiwi’ and ‘Do the Right Thing’ have been part of New Zealand culture for over 50 years.
Tackling litter, graffiti, waste minimisation and recycling initiatives are core activities and wider environmental projects include community beautification and clean-up events, tree and garden planting, waterway and highway restoration. Education programs and resources to support volunteers in their community efforts are also provided.