More plaudits for Anderson Park Playground

Published: 13 June 2019

Napier’s Anderson Park Playground is a finalist in the 2019 Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) EXCELLENCE Awards.

The awards, now in their sixth year, recognise and celebrate the key leadership role local government plays within communities around the country.

Napier City Council is a finalist in the EXCELLENCE Award for Social Well-being for the new playground that caters to all abilities and all ages, featuring New Zealand’s tallest playground tower, a wheelchair accessible mini-tower, climbing and swing structures, water play, functional artwork and interactive elements.

The award criteria is for a project that enhances the social well-being of its community, demonstrating strong community involvement  and improved integration of information, service delivery and processes to ensure the organisation is responsive, and citizen-centric.

Judges praised the project as “the first all-abilities playground of such a size in the region”.

LGNZ President Dave Cull said being named as a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects strong leadership and the innovative work being delivered by councils across the country.

“These EXCELLENCE Awards demonstrate the value local government provides to community, economic development, infrastructure and the environment,” said Mr Cull.

 “The sector should be incredibly proud of its achievements as we celebrate these outstanding projects. The finalist projects are real examples of how local government delivers exemplary value and services to New Zealanders in a collaborative and inclusive way.”

Judges for the awards are former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast, distinguished diplomat and public servant Sir Maarten Wevers, and Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, Dr Oliver Hartwich.

Category winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the LGNZ Conference, to be held in Wellington on 8 July 2019.

Anderson Park - and its rivals

The four finalists for the LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards for Social Well-being are:

• Hurunui District Council: Taking the Plunge – The Story of HDC and the Waiau Pool – A post-earthquake project to successfully rebuild the Waiau School and Community Pool.
• Kapiti Coast District Council: Dudley Creek – Youth Development Centre Initiative – This project addressed young people’s needs for space and activities to connect and support them in their community.
• Napier City Council: Andersen Park Playground – A new playground that caters to all abilities and all ages featuring New Zealand’s tallest playground tower, a wheelchair accessible mini-tower, climbing and swing structures, water play, functional artwork and interactive elements.
• Palmerston North City Council – Festival of Cultures – An annual week-long event celebrating diversity and encouraging celebration and connection through music, film, performance, cultural dress, craft and food.

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