Wairoa District Council is the winner of this year's GHD Award for Environmental Leadership. Its 'Toi te whenua, Manaaki ki te whenua' project provides a solution to the problem of abandoned vehicles in the district.
The GHD Award for Environmental Leadership recognises programmes, projects, or initiatives that provide tangible benefits to the environment, or showcase leading practice in managing environmental impacts in the local community. The approach must be capable of transfer to other local authorities.
'Toi te whenua, Manaaki ki te whenua' is a project that resolved an environmental issue that, while far from unique, was a pressing community issue. Wairoa District Council coordinated the removal of some 800 abandoned car bodies from the district and the safe disposal of the same.
The Judges said "This was a deceptively simple solution to an environmental issue grounded in geographical isolation and economic deprivation. The council brought about the removal of 800 cars by the end of the project – that’s one car for every 11 people who live in the district. Wairoa told a compelling before and after story, using an approach that the council is extending to other areas of environmental management."
GHD recognises and understands the world is constantly changing. It is committed to solving the world's biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy, and urbanisation. This is the second year that GHD has sponsored the Environmental Leadership category. Last year's winner was Eke Panuku Development Auckland for 'Te Ara Awataha'.
GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, construction architectural and advisory expertise. Its forward-looking, innovative approaches connect and sustain communities around the world delivering extraordinary social and economic outcomes. GHD is focused on building lasting relationships with its partners and clients.
For further information, please see the 2022 Awards Media Pack.