Nominations Open for the Waitaki Citizens’ Awards

Deadline: 30-Jul-21

The Waitaki District Council is calling nominations for Waitaki Citizens’ Awards.

The Waitaki Citizens’ Awards are given in recognition of substantial services, usually of a voluntary nature or beyond normal employment, benefiting the Waitaki District and its people.

Eligibility Criteria

Any volunteer of any age, or a voluntary organisation which carries out service or work of a substantial (either length of time or intensity of service) nature benefiting the Waitaki district and/or its people, that has not been recognised by a national award or honour for this service – eg a Queen’s Honour – can be nominated for a Citizens’ Award.
The qualifying categories include recreation, youth activities, social welfare, educational services, cultural affairs, religious affairs, community affairs and any other voluntary service which contributes to furthering the vision of the Waitaki district. The vision for the Waitaki district is outlined in the Waitaki District Council Annual Plan.
While the Citizens’ Awards relate to celebrating the work of Waitaki residents, in exceptional circumstances the selection panel may, by majority agreement, make an award to a non-resident if the service has been carried out within, and added value to, the Waitaki district.
Work of a ‘substantial nature’ is defined as short or long term projects or activities that have benefited the district in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.

Judging Criteria

The criteria for judging sets out some guidelines for the Committee and recommends a process for judging that allows for clarity and accountability.
Members of the judging panel (the Mayor, Grants and Awards Committee, and Community Board Chairs) for the Citizens’ Awards cannot act as a nominator for a Citizens’ Award contender.
The Council, as a body, may not submit nominations, although nominations may be submitted by Councillors as individuals.
The following criteria should be considered:
- Utilisation of resources (financial, time and equipment)
- Initiative and creativity used
- Effectiveness of the activity/project o Impact on the district
- Impact on the environment
Judges will be provided with a copy of all nominations ahead of the review meeting.
Judges will consider all nominations against the following criteria:
- Work of a ‘substantial nature’ is defined as short term or long term projects or activities that have benefited the district in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.
- Each nomination is considered in the way it benefits the district.
If an elected member or committee staff member’s spouse or immediate family member is nominated for a Civic Award, the councilor or committee staff member retire from the discussion and voting on that nomination.