Fifteen Kāpiti volunteer groups and individuals were honoured last night for their part in keeping our communities connected and strong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year the annual Kāpiti Coast Civic Awards were once again paired with the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards to honour the outstanding people who make our neighbourhoods and communities the special places they are.

Mayor Gurunathan said that last night’s awards event was particularly poignant as Council and the wider community have been waiting to celebrate these volunteer groups and individuals.

“The Awards were paused last year due to the pandemic, so it was great to at last recognise those who, through their service and commitment, have had such a positive impact on our communities at such an integral time.

“COVID-19 has brought social and economic challenges to many in our district. I have no doubt that without the mahi of these groups and individuals the impacts would be far greater,” says Mayor Gurunathan.

“Kindness is what these recipients have in common. Whether they’re creating communities around home cooked soup, rugby league or the arts, or making Kāpiti a greater place to live by stepping up to fill a gap or lend a helping hand – it all comes from a place of kindness. I’m so grateful to have these wonderful people making a difference in our district.”

Wellington Airport’s Manager Brand and Sponsorship, Jo Maxwell said “It’s great to join with Wellington Community Trust and Kāpiti Coast District Council to recognise all the wonderful ways community groups in Kāpiti have been supporting their communities and risen to the challenges of the past 18 months. We look forward to the Kāpiti winners joining us for the regional Community Award finals later in the year”.

The Civic Awards are Council’s highest honour for individual residents and groups who’ve made a lasting impact in the community. Based on public nominations, Council gives awards based on exemplary service or leadership for their community.

Helen Keivom, Joseph Wiata, Peter Blacker, and Cobblers Lunch Group received this year’s Civic Awards, while Rupene Waaka was honoured with the Mayoral Award.

The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards recognise the contributions made by community groups in six categories: arts and culture, education and child/youth development, health and wellbeing, heritage and environment, sport and leisure, and the rising star category for emerging groups. Winners and those highly commended in these awards were:

Arts and culture
Highly commended: Coast Access Radio
Winner: Pickle Pot Be-In

Education and child/youth development

Highly commended: SeniorNet Kapiti
Winner: Te Ara Korowai

Health and wellbeing

Highly commended: Ōtaki Foodbank and Ōtaki St John Shuttle
Winner: L’Arche Kapiti

Heritage and environment

Winner: Zero Waste Ōtaki

Sport and leisure

Highly commended: Community Sports Bank (Wellington City Mission)
Winner: Kapiti Bears Rugby League Club

Rising star

Highly commended: Pickle Pot Be-In
Winner: Zero Waste Ōtaki

Supreme award: Te Ara Korowai

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