22 September 2007

New Zealand’s best loos

New Zealand’s best loo for 2007 may be found in Te Awamutu, say Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s judges, and the next two, second equal, are but a comfort stop away in Whakatane and Taupo.

Judges considered entries from across New Zealand and decided the Waipa District Council’s efforts to accommodate citizens and visitors in Te Awamutu deserved the first place, the $1,000 first prize and accompanying trophy.

“There was a particular appeal about Te Awamutu public toilets,” says Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s chief executive, Barry Lucinsky. “You can tell a lot about the way citizens and their local council feel about their town and this one shone through. It must be symptomatic of a fabulous wee place in which to live.”

Best Loo judges chose the winners on criteria that included the regularity of servicing, cleanliness, presence of an attendant, availability and hand washing facilities.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful believes the local toilet is often underrated when towns try to attract visitors and tourists so they started the contest to make locals and their councils think about the facilities they should have in place.

Second prize, to be shared by Pride Whakatane District Council and the Taupo District Council attracts a $500 prize and certificate.

Entries were received from local bodies across the country and will be repeated again next year. Keep New Zealand Beautiful says the point of it all is that these facilities shouldn’t just be spruced up while judging is on as the aim is to have them available in top condition and care year-round.

“If I had the time and a bunch of commerce students,” says Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s chief executive, Barry Lucinsky, “I reckon I could prove a tangible boost to a local economy by the simple process of having clean and welcoming local public loos. I believe they encourage bus tours, passing motorists and locals to stop, most of whom might spend a few dollars in the town after they’ve been encouraged to spend a penny.”

In recent years, North Island provincial towns have presented the best loos: Raglan, Rotorua, New Plymouth and Kawakawa have each won previous awards.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s annual meeting is being held over the weekend at Lincoln Green Conference Centre, Waitakere City.

ENDS

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