Award categories & criteria

The Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards aim to honor exceptional mahi and initiatives within our region that contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of Taranaki's environment.

These annual awards are in several categories, serving as a catalyst for fostering environmental stewardship and promoting sustainable development of our invaluable natural resources.

Categories

Youth environmental leader: This award recognises a young individual aged 12 - 24, whose leadership, support of others and willingness to share ideas is making a significant contribution to Taranaki’s environment. 

Environmental leadership in farming: Recognises farmers and land owners who demonstrate leadership and excellence in environmental stewardship or sustainable farming and land use practices. The category open to dairy, sheep and beef, poultry, pig farmers and forestry or other agricultural land use.

Environmental leadership in climate change action: This category recognises individuals or groups who are taking action to adapt to a changing climate and transition to a low-carbon future for Taranaki.

Environmental action in the community: Recognises not-for-profit organisations, groups, individuals, iwi, hapū or whānau that are taking action to protect or enhance the environment, or are increasing understanding of environmental issues. 

Environmental action in education: Recognises actions in the education sector to protect or enhance the environment, or commitment to increasing understanding and bringing about change on environmental issues.

Environmental action in water quality improvement: This category recognises individuals or groups who are taking action to protect and enhance water quality and biodiversity values within water bodies in Taranaki.

Environmental action in biodiversity: This category recognises individuals or groups who are committed to projects and activities that support pest management or protecting biodiversity in Taranaki.

Eligibility criteria

The project or activity must:

• Activity or project must be carried out in the Taranaki region
• Where applicable, applicants must have excellent compliance with consent conditions throughout the period of activity, or for the last three years.
• Activity or project must be current, ongoing or near completion
• Previous winners are eligible for nomination after a minimum of five years
• Recipients of other awards are eligible for nomination for these awards.

Assessment criteria

Judges will evaluate applications against the following criteria:

• Degree to which a practical contribution to the sustainable management of Taranaki’s natural resources has been made
• Degree to which a practical contribution to the sustainable management of Taranaki’s natural resources has been made
• Demonstrated success of the project in terms of mitigating potential environmental impacts and/or environmental protection efforts, including the significance and magnitude of such efforts
• The extent to which the project or individual has increased understanding of, or bought about change on, environmental issues
• Demonstrated innovation or collaboration.