For three decades Palmerston North City Council has sponsored the Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning (BRP) Prizes in a longstanding celebration of the Massey University programme.

The Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning prizes recognise the top performing student from each of the degree’s four years of study.

The 2018 recipients, Katherine Martin (1st year), Ross Bidlake (2nd year), Kim Wölper (3rd year), and Hannah van Haren-Giles (4th year), were presented with their respective awards on Wednesday night (May 15) by Palmerston North Deputy Mayor, Tangi Utikere.

Not only do these awards mark a significant relationship milestone between the Council and Massey University, but each award’s name also pays homage to the legacy of four prominent individuals whose work have influenced the development of our city – David Spring (1st year), Ken Nairn (2nd year), J.T. Stewart (3rd year), and Bernard J. Forde (4th year).

Council’s General Manager – Strategy and Planning, Sheryl Bryant, said the awards in name and purpose represent the strong relationship the Council shares with Massey University, particularly regarding the Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning Programme.

“These awards are of special significance to Council, demonstrating both our longstanding relationship and our high-regard for Massey University as a premier education institution in our city.”

Massey University Resource and Environmental Planning Programme Coordinator, Associate Professor Imran Muhammed echoed the values of the relationship between the two organisations.

“As a planning programme, we are grateful for PNCC’s support for the BRP Planning Prizes.

In the last 30 years, our relationship has strengthened and we’ve made a significant contribution in generating positive debate on cycling, placemaking, housing and sustainability projects with demonstrable social, economic and environmental impacts. PNCC planning staff made an important contribution to the Planning Programme Consultative Committee and wider teaching and research projects. I hope that we shall continue counting on PNCC’s support in future.”

There have been 124 award recipients since the inception of the awards, and Palmerston North City Council currently boasts more than 17 Massey alumni in planning based roles.

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