A charity which prevents hundreds of thousands of CO2 emissions, vital mahi to improve fish passages, tireless voluntary work controlling pest animals and plants and long-term efforts by farmers to restore waterways have been recognised by the TRC.
The 2024 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Award winners.
In an awards ceremony held in New Plymouth on Wednesday night, the seven winners and five recipients of ‘highly commended’ 2024 Environmental Awards were congratulated for their inspirational work safeguarding biodiversity, protecting the environment and promoting sustainability.
Council Chair Charlotte Littlewood says the awards are an excellent way of saying thanks to the unsung heroes who are leading by example and giving so much back to their communities and the region through their work.
“It’s always one of the highlights of the year to see who has won an award and to find out about their mahi and how that is making a difference to Taranaki,” says Mrs Littlewood.
“And this fantastic work is being done across the generations and by people from all walks of life. Their efforts to keep our place special are truly inspirational and we’re delighted to be able to recognise what they’ve been doing with an environmental award.
“Our mission is to care for Taranaki and it’s pleasing to see many others share our passion for preserving our environment and ensuring we’re all working together to make the region a better place to live and work.”
The awards have been running since 1993 and a total of 382 groups, individuals, charities, farmers, large, small and medium businesses, schools and kindergartens and iwi and hapū have now been recognised.
The winners in the seven categories are below and more details about the winners and highly commended awardees, including video profiles, can be found at www.trc.govt.nz/award-winners/(external link)
Environmental Action in Education:
Uruti School – For empowering tamariki to take action to protect and restore the environment.
Uruti School has been instrumental in providing environmental learning opportunities for its tamariki including predator trapping, planting trees, caring for the Uruti awa, investigating freshwater quality and implementing sustainable practices in the day-to-day operations of the school. The kura works alongside Ngāti Mutunga in a Curious Minds project looking at koura in the local river and is a Silver Enviroschool. The judges commended the school for its comprehensive approach to environmental education and empowering students through hands-on experiences. Teacher Diane Scott says: “Uruti is just a small rural school with eight students and the Enviroschool thing is just what we do, it’s not an add-on, it’s everyday practice.”
Environmental Action in the Community:
East Taranaki Environment Collective and Pukerangiora Hapū – For working collaboratively to protect and enhance the environment at Everett Park Scenic Reserve and increasing understanding of environmental issues.
The East Taranaki Environment Collective (ETEC), in partnership with Pukerangiora Hapū, are working together to improve biodiversity within the Everett Park Scenic Reserve near Inglewood. Collaborating with the Department of Conservation since 2022, a major pest eradication programme has included installing 300 traps with monitoring showing a dramatic reduction in possum and rat numbers. The judges commended the initiative for its impact on increasing native birdlife and creating a programme that benefits both the environment and the community. Jacqui Lichtwark, from Pukerangiora Hapū, says: “It’s been really great working with East Taranaki Environment Collective on this project and definitely aligns with Pukerangiora values.” ETEC general manager Kat Strang says: “We’re really proud of what this community has achieved at Everett Park.”
Environmental Leadership in Climate Action:
On The House Charitable Trust – For taking climate change action by redistributing surplus food, preventing emissions and conserving water while taking a holistic approach to sustainability.
On The House Charitable Trust is a community food rescue organisation that redistributes surplus food to those who need it. In just one year, it rescued more than 200,000kg of surplus food from supermarkets, growers, cafes and caterers, preventing 630,000kg of CO2 emissions and saving 133.5 million litres of water. Food is redistributed through pop-up stores and community organisations including food banks, schools and kindergartens. On The House takes a holistic approach to sustainability and engages with more than 110 volunteers. The judges said the charity’s alignment with Te Ao Māori principles and commitment to community engagement make it a true exemplar in the field of environmental stewardship. General manager Terry Hancock says: “We’re looking forward to the future where we can divert more food from landfill and onto the groups and people who need it.”
Youth Environmental Leader
Addison Moore – For leadership, support of others and willingness to share ideas in making a significant contribution to Taranaki’s environment.
Addison Moore is the driving force behind Stratford Primary School’s Tuis environmental team, developing ways to promote environmental learning and sustainability for tamariki. She’s working for the Green-Gold Enviroschool to go Zero Waste and every Friday delivers an environmental message to the school assembly. Addison raises funds by selling sustainable products made by herself and other students and she jointly won a Junction primary school upselling competition. The judges commend Addison's exceptional leadership and passion for environmental sustainability. Addison says: “My passion is the environment and looking after and caring for it. There’s no ‘Planet B’ and I love to influence those around me.”
Environmental Action in Water Quality Improvement:
Otaraua Hapū Taiao Team – For taking action to protect and enhance water quality and biodiversity values within Taranaki water bodies.
Otaraua Hapū Taiao Team’s dedication and commitment to improving fish passages in Taranaki streams is helping to identify and address issues affecting these vital ecological corridors. The group’s Mauri Wai team has been working with NIWA over the past two years to assess fish passages along state highways and waterways in Waitara. The judges commended the combining of traditional Māori knowledge with modern techniques to lead to a significant improvement in native ecosystems and biodiversity. Team leader Karlee Rice says: “We’re really proud of the work we’ve been doing which is going to allow for our native species to get upstream and thrive. It’s going to allow our rivers and streams to become healthier for future generations to come.”
Environmental Leadership in Farming:
Malcolm and Lorraine Campbell – Araheke Farm – For leadership and excellence in environmental stewardship, sustainable farming and land use practices.
Malcolm and Lorraine Campbell have been at the forefront of stream restoration and creating habitat for biodiversity for the past 18 years. That work has achieved outstanding results and includes stock exclusion and planting of waterways and wetlands, fencing and restoring a remnant forest, pest control, the use of sustainable farm practices and taking a catchment approach to farming and biodiversity. The judges said the Campbells’ efforts to protect native forest and continuously improve farming practices demonstrate a strong commitment to both environmental and economic sustainability. Malcolm says: “It’s great to see how clean the streams are and we like to see nature out there doing its thing and just keeping the environment clean. We’re very proud of that and we’re hoping that the whole country will do the same thing.”
Environmental Action in Biodiversity:
Restore PG Nops Reserve Care Group – For commitment to supporting pest management and protecting biodiversity in Taranaki.
The PG Nops Reserve in Inglewood is being restored thanks to the mahi of the volunteers, who maintain the Key Native Ecosystem, control predators and are working to turn the tide of invasive pest plants. The Care Group collaborates with Taranaki Regional and New Plymouth District councils to preserve the remnant forest and its efforts are helping to protect copper skink, tūī, kererū, ruru, koura and tuna. They have spent thousands of hours at the reserve at working bees and organise educational visits to spread the word about its importance with community groups. The judges said the successful control of pest plants and animals has played a crucial role in safeguarding biodiversity. Volunteer Neil Chesterton says: “Now it’s attractive at the entrance and people are attracted to come in. To have this native reserve, which is just native bush, in Inglewood is amazing.”
Highly Commended
Environmental Action in Education
Stratford Primary School, with special mention to Marlene Lewis – For empowering tamariki to take action to protect and restore the environment.
Tree Machine – For empowering rangatahi to take action to protect and restore the environment.
Youth Environmental Leader
Scarlett Bines and Amélie Staunstrup Moore - The Aqua Quack – For leadership, support of others and willingness to share ideas in making a significant contribution to Taranaki’s environment.
Environmental Leadership in Farming
Nigel and Raewyn Chapman – NRGE Farms Ltd – For excellence in environmental stewardship, sustainable farming and land use practices.
Kieren and Ngaire Faull – For excellence in environmental stewardship, sustainable farming and land use practices.