Community awards

Emerging Environmental Action Award

Kindly Sponsored by Southern Land & Water Planning

This award recognises initiatives, that have been established within the past two years, which are making strong environmental progress and have the scope to make a significant contribution to Southland’s environment.

Group initiatives and projects, as well as individuals, businesses and school groups are eligible to be nominated.

Environmental Action in Biodiversity and Biosecurity

Kindly sponsored by the Invercargill Licensing Trust

This award recognises projects/actions that support biodiversity and/or biosecurity in Southland. Judges are looking for projects/actions with a clear aim/s that demonstrate progress. Individuals and groups are eligible for this award.

Environmental Leadership and Innovation in Business

Kindly sponsored by Milford Sound Tourism

This award recognises commercial entities that are operating with an environmental ethos and are showing leadership within the business community. Judges are looking for innovative thinking and action either within the business operation or in product/service development. Businesses/commercial entities, regardless of size, are eligible for this award.

Environmental Action in the Community

Kindly sponsored by Real NZ

This award recognises groups that are working collaboratively within their community to enhance Southland’s environment. Judges are looking for enduring or completed projects that have clear aims and successes. Groups, societies, not-for-profit organisations, youth movements and service clubs are all eligible for this category.

Environmental Action in Education

Kindly sponsored by Fonterra

This award recognises environmentally-focused projects in education. Judges are looking for projects/action that engage students in environmental learning and empower them to make a difference. This award is specific to schools, kura kaupapa Māori, early childhood centres or tertiary institutions. Whole schools/learning centres, groups or individuals are eligible for this award.

Environmental Leadership in Farming

Kindly sponsored by Wynn Williams

This award recognises whole-farm approaches to environmental issues and innovations in farm practices, water management and land management in Murihiku Southland. Judges are looking for clear leadership/innovation and action that has wins for the environment. All farmers/farms are eligible for this award.

Individual Environmental Leadership or Action

Kindly sponsored by ANZ

This award recognises an individual whose leadership, action, support of others and effectiveness to collaborate and influence others is making a significant contribution to Southland’s environment.

Environmental Action in Wetlands & Waterways

Kindly sponsored by Southland Fish & Game

This award recognises individuals, groups, businesses or farms that are taking action to improve water quality within Southland. Judges are looking for action resulting in enduring improvements to water quality that relate to wetlands, estuaries, rivers, streams or lakes. Projects/actions in the early stages of environmental action or established projects and those in either urban or rural settings are eligible for this award.

Councillors’ Award

The Councillors’ Award is decided at the sole discretion of the two elected councillors on the judging panel.

This award is presented to a recipient that has impressed the judges in some way, through actions, influence and/or successes.

Every nominee is eligible for this award, except for other winners on the night.