Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards

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Congratulations to the winners, runners-up, and finalists of this year's awards!

Our local winners have now progressed to the regional stage. Regional winners will be announced in November.

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Caption: Our local winners and runners-up celebrate their success and incredible contribution to the Upper Hutt community together.

About the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards

Every year, we team up with Wellington Airport to recognise the work of community groups in Upper Hutt. The focus of the awards is to celebrate volunteers for their valuable contribution to society.

In the first round, the Wellington region’s five councils (Wellington City, Porirua, Kāpiti, Hutt City, and Upper Hutt) recognise their local volunteer organisations in six different categories.

For the second and final round, winners from each region progress to the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards (WARCA) for the overall award in their category, and the opportunity to be named Supreme Winner. The winners are announced at an annual celebration dinner. 

The awards have been run since 2004, recognising hundreds of community groups across the region. Nominations are open during April and May each year, and there is $50,000 in awards and prizes to be won.

 

 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Click on a question to read more or visit the official Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards website.

For more information, please email Mel Smith, Community Partnerships Advisor: wellingtonairportawards@uhcc.govt.nz

Who is eligible for the awards?

You can nominate any not-for-profit group or organisation working for the benefit of our community.

Please note: The awards recognise community groups and organisations, not individual volunteers.

What are the award categories?

There are six award categories:

  • Arts and Culture – for enhancing or increasing participation in arts and creative leisure activities;
  • Education and Child/Youth Development – for improving or enhancing the educational and social development of children/youth;
  • Health and Wellbeing – for fostering the health and wellbeing of our community;
  • Heritage and Environment – for improving or revitalising our environment, culture, or heritage;
  • Sport and Leisure – for supporting participation and enjoyment in physical sport, leisure activities, and recreational pursuits;
  • Rising Star – recognising and encouraging emerging grassroots groups in the community.

When do nominations open and close?

Nominations for 2025 are closed.

Upper Hutt winners and runners-up for 2025 were announced at the end of July. Winners are now progressing to the second and final stage of the awards, for a chance to be named regional winner at the awards ceremony in November.

What are the judging criteria?

The judging panel will consider these key factors:

  • volunteer input;
  • utilisation of resources;
  • innovation and creativity;
  • effectiveness of activities;
  • impact within the community; and
  • recent activities (from the past 12 months).

Who are the Upper Hutt local finalists in 2025?

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Who are the Upper Hutt winners and runners-up in 2025?

Arts and Culture

Winner: Pinestream Quilters
Runner-up: Te Heke Mai

Education and Child/Youth Development

Winner: Stockdale Farm
Runner-up: Upper Hutt Autism Group (UHAG)

Health and Wellbeing

Winner: Upper Hutt Women’s Centre
Runner-up (joint): Upper Hutt Community Patrol
Runner-up (joint): Ōrongomai Marae – Kai Bank

Heritage and Environment

Winner: Heretaunga Bookfest Charitable Trust
Runner-up: Upper Hutt Repair Café

Sport and Leisure

Winner: Reload FX
Runner-up: Upper Hutt Hockey Club

Rising Star

Winner: Natural Leaders

Supreme Award

Winner: Heretaunga Bookfest Charitable Trust

 

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