Beautiful Awards 2020 – Finalists Announced!

Congratulations to all of our 2020 Beautiful Awards Finalists

The Beautiful Awards celebrates the environmental excellence of communities, businesses, schools and individuals in New Zealand.

Amongst the finalists for the 13 awards, there are six destinations shortlisted for the hotly contested location-based categories: Most Beautiful Small Town (Waiheke Island and Arrowtown), Most Beautiful Large Town (Cambridge and Hastings) and Most Beautiful City (Whanganui and Hamilton).

Each finalist in this category must demonstrate sustainable and environmentally conscious behaviours across four key areas: Litter Prevention and Waste Minimisation, Community Beautification, Recycling Projects and Sustainable Tourism.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO Heather Saunderson says: “Over the past six months, Covid-19 has shifted the global landscape, and its long-term effects remain unclear: How long will this last and what will people’s lives and the environment look like once this is over? Celebrating environmental excellence, small wins and beautiful behaviour, whether personal or professional, is now more important than ever. And that’s precisely what the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards are all about.”

“We have had some amazing nominations this year, that show, by working together, we will come out of this pandemic a stronger community and a stronger nation, with a more sustainable future. All of the towns and cities finalists have worked hard to secure a spot in the top six.”

The last phase of judging for the Towns & Cities category will be completed by the Beautiful Awards judges, Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO Heather Saunderson and wellness author Rachel Grunwell. The winners of all the categories will be announced at the Beautiful Awards Gala Dinner, location and time to be confirmed. On the night, and with the support of Resene, one of the winners from the Towns & Cities category will be named the Supreme Towns & Cities Winner and will win a mural to help beautify their community up to the value of $10,000.

For over half a century Keep New Zealand Beautiful have been at the forefront of driving environmental change through the education, inspiration and empowerment of communities across New Zealand. The Beautiful Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the efforts of all Kiwis, in particular, those who have gone above and beyond to help Keep New Zealand Beautiful.

“The role Keep New Zealand Beautiful plays is vital and it’s a role that we’re passionately committed to.” says Saunderson. “In order to achieve this, collaboration and cooperation with central government is essential.”

2020 Beautiful Awards Finalists

Towns & Cities

Most Beautiful City
Whanganui
Hamilton

Most Beautiful Large Town
Cambridge
Hastings

Most Beautiful Small Town
Waiheke Island
Arrowtown

 

Places

Best Loo
Anderson Park toilets, Napier
Hunua Falls Toilet, Auckland
Waitati Public Toilet, Otago

Best Street
Main Street, Cambridge
Victoria Ave, Whanganui
Rangiora Street, Whanganui

Kiwi's Choice
Hunua Falls, Auckland
Ruakuri Bush Walk, Waitomo
The Routeburn Track, Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park

 

Community

Community Environmental Initiative Award
TerraCycle's Oral Care Recycling Programme
Tarata Stream Team
Seagull Centre

Community Group Award
OneCoast
Beautify Waitara
Progress Castlecliff

Sustainable Schools
Murchison Area School, Murchison
Aparima College, Riverton
Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Christchurch

 

Businesses

Most Sustainable Business Project
Sport Wellington
Vendella
Discover Waitomo

 

Individuals

Tidy Kiwi
Susan Hodkinson
Des Watson
Gary Mitchell

Young Legend
Jessica Lamb
Joe Howells
Oli Kirke

Local Hero Winners
Katherine Clayton
Joe Sherriff & Jo Wilson