Upper Hutt wins big at Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards
Published on 29 November 2024
Two Upper Hutt initiatives shone in the spotlight after being announced as winners at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards held at Te Papa on Thursday, 21 November 2024.
Accessibility advocates and active recreation champions, dsport, were honoured with the Sports and Leisure Award, as well as the Supreme Award. The group organised and hosted the highly successful World Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Qualification Tournament at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in Trentham earlier this year.
Wellington Severe Weather Reports (WSWR) won the Heritage and Environment category for their efforts to mobilise local support for the construction of the state-of-the-art Upper Hutt weather station, opened in June 2024.
“Upper Hutt has a strong sports and recreation tradition, with great access to community sports facilities and the surrounding environment,” says Mike Ryan, Group Manager Community Services.
“It is inspiring to see dsport acknowledged for their important work in making high-performance sports accessible and inclusive for all abilities.
Daniel Talbot from WSWR has dared to dream big. It is thanks to his dedication that weather and science now play a starring role in central Upper Hutt,” he adds.
Upper Hutt City Council has supported the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards since its inception in 2004.
Council’s Community Partnerships Manager Jane Braun says two decades of recognising the significant contribution of local volunteer groups highlight the importance of connected and engaged communities.
“From abilities-focused organisations to groups honouring our local history and environment, every year the awards remind us of the wide variety of active groups here, as well as the impact they have in their communities,” she says.
For more information about the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards at Upper Hutt City Council, go to www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Community/Awards/WARCA
For more information about the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards, go to www.wellingtonairport.co.nz/community-hub/community-awards/community-awards/