2023 Award winners

Te Tohu Matua Supreme Award

This award was presented for the most outstanding achievement.

» CBEC EcoSolutions – Community Compost Connection Programme

CBEC EcoSolutions’ community compost programme is an outstanding example of what can be achieved through empowering change in our communities. Underpinned by the principles of whakapapa and kaitiakitanga, the project has established sixteen community composting hubs and provided free workshops for more than 1000 people, preventing more than 13 tonnes of food waste going in to landfill across the rohe.  The benefits of this are wide – diverting waste from landfill, saving households money, increasing kai resilience, enriching our soil, promoting a shared responsibility for the environment, creating employment and more. This is an inspiring project that’s creating a wave of change across Te Taitokerau. 

Environmental action in the community

This award recognises individuals or groups who are working collaboratively within their community to protect and improve Northland’s environment.

» CBEC EcoSolutions – Community Compost Connection Programme

For an inspiring project which empowers individuals to make a positive impact on the environment. 

Highly commended

• Maungataniwha-Mangamuka-Otangaroa Kiwi corridor  

For impressive community-led achievements in protecting native species and preserving taonga across a vast 7000 hectares. 

Highly commended

• Mahinepua Radar Hill Landcare Group

For inspiring community commitment to the environment, protecting native birdlife and taonga species and preserving the whenua around Whangaroa. 

Environmental action to protect native life

This award recognises individuals or groups who are working to control pest animals, pest plants, and/or diseases to help our native life flourish. 

» Aki Tai Here

Aki Tai Here is a group of dedicated individuals who are working tirelessly to protect and restore the environment in the Whangārei Heads area. The group’s track record of success has helped to eradicate invasive pests, restore native habitat, and build the capacity of tangata whenua to protect the environment. Aki Tai Here is centred on mana whenua-led kaitiakitanga and meaningful integration of, and respect for, Māori knowledge and values. Through working with landowners and kaumatua, and sharing their knowledge, Aki Tai Here is helping to ensure that the mana of the whenua is upheld.  

Highly commended

• Maungataniwha-Mangamuka-Otangaroa Kiwi corridor  

For extensive mahi in protecting taonga species and preserving unique biodiversity. 

Highly commended

• Mahinepua Radar Hill Landcare Group

For working towards a pest-free environment and ensuring a sustainable future for the whenua.

Environmental action in education

This award recognises those in the education sector that are driving learning and action to bring about change on environmental issues. The award is specific to schools, kura kaupapa Maori, early childhood centres or tertiary institutions, and can include the whole school, groups or individuals.

» Kerikeri Kindergarten

Kerikeri Kindergarten is a shining example of bringing the community together to care for the environment. From their trapping program to their compost hub, Kerikeri Kindergarten is making a real difference by empowering tamariki to be kaitiaki. They deeply embrace te ao Māori, evident in the design of the māra hūpara play space, created in collaboration with Ngāti Rehia. This is a beautiful example of how traditional Māori values can be used to create sustainable and educational spaces. They show us that by working together we can create a better future for our planet. 

Highly commended

• Kaingaroa School – Mahi Tahi

For embedding student-led environmental projects into everyday school life, creating a ripple-effect of change that is felt beyond the school gate. 

Highly commended

• Waiotira Primary School

For a hands-on learning approach that empowers students to be kaitiaki of their environment and care for the whenua, grow kai and contribute to a sustainable future.

Environmental action in water quality improvement

This award recognises individuals or groups who are taking action to protect and enhance water quality and biodiversity values within water bodies in Northland.

» Nga Tangariki O Ngāti Hine – Te Papa Pa Orooro

Te Papa Pa Orooro is an outstanding example of a wetland restoration project. It combines the rejuvenation of a native ecosystem with the training of kaitiaki, to enable them to continue to care for this unique environment. The project has revived the wetland, removing non-native species, eradicating weeds and replanting with native species to improve water quality and reduce flood impacts. It has been responsible for training eight kaitiaki, giving them the skills to continue the ongoing mahi. The project enjoys the strong support of iwi, hapū, whānau, kura and communities and Te Reo Māori me ngā tikanga are practised in all aspects. 

Highly commended

• Te Runanga o Te Rarawa - Me He Wai

For an inspiring project combining freshwater restoration with education and capacity-building for future generations.

Environmental action in industry

This award recognises businesses (individual or a collective) that show a commitment to the sustainable use of natural resources and/or protection of native ecosystems.

» Ngāwhā Generation Ltd – Zero Carbon Electricity for the Far North

Ngāwhā Generation Ltd’s Zero Carbon Electricity for the Far North project aims to generate sustainable energy from, and for, the Far North. To achieve this, the company has developed new technology to re-inject 100% of non-condensable gases extracted during the production of geothermal electricity. The gases are therefore not released into the environment but “recycled” through the power station and back underground. This creates a secure, closed-loop carbon zero system, enhancing the long-term sustainability of geothermal resource and giving consumers access to a reliable and affordable energy source from resilient infrastructure. This technology has the potential to be replicated around the world in other geothermal power stations, representing a huge success for Aotearoa and globally.

Highly commended

• Kāeo Bridge Upgrade

For an infrastructure project that incorporated environmental sustainability and cultural values throughout the process, delivering long-term benefits to Te Taitokerau. 

Environmental leadership

This award recognises an individual or group whose leadership, support of others and willingness to share ideas and resources is making a significant contribution to Northland's environment.

» Jaycee Tipene-Thomas

Jaycee is an inspirational wahine whose passion for te taiao is making a real difference. From mentoring rangatahi into environmental studies and helping them connect to Te Ao Māori, to  

co-leading over 50 whale strandings and reviving matauranga Māori in the marine space, Jaycee is a real force for change. Across the many environmental projects she leads or is involved with, she is working tirelessly to ensure Māori knowledge is respected and incorporated into the mahi. Jaycee is an outstanding role model whose knowledge and dedication have earned respect and admiration within Te Taitokerau and beyond. 

Outstanding contribution to Te Taiao

This year, the Outstanding contribution to Te Taiao awards were created to acknowledge the significant contributions of the following recipients over several decades.

» Greg Innes – Bream Head Conservation Trust

This passionate conservationist has dedicated decades to the restoration and protection of ngahere and whenua through the Bream Head Conservation Trust, formed in 2002 to work in partnership with local and wider Whangarei communities. His vision and his lifelong commitment to the environment have been coupled with sharing his extensive knowledge across Te Taitokerau and his involvement from the boardroom to the forest floor is impressive and unique. 

» Mike Camm – Tutukaka Landcare Coalition Trust

This conservation hero has spent 25 years on a mission to ensure the future of kiwi and other native species. Beginning by converting his own property into a wildlife haven, Mike then expanded his efforts, forming the Tutukaka Landcare Trust in 2003 and being its driving force for two decades. He is currently serving as the Chair of Kiwi Coast. An inspirational environmental leader, preserving a safe habitat for kiwi and native species, whilst ensuring the community benefits from his experience. 

Youth environmental leader

This award recognises a young individual or group, aged 12 - 24, whose leadership, support of others and willingness to share ideas is making a significant contribution to Northland’s environment.

» Noah Edwards

With his unwavering dedication and hard work, Noah is an exceptional example of environmental leadership and a source of inspiration for rangatahi in his local community, Whananaki, and beyond. Since 2020, he has been volunteering with Experiencing Marine Reserves, sharing his passion for the marine environment with others. Noah has further solidified his commitment to protecting the marine environment by training in marine pest identification. Noah is an exemplary ambassador for the ocean and we have no doubt he will continue to make a big impact throughout his life. 

Highly commended

• Jordan Allan

For showcasing the power of passion and initiative in environmental mahi and inspiring others to contribute to a collective goal of protecting native species from pests. 

Environmental action to address climate change

This award recognises individuals or groups who are taking action to adapt to a changing climate and transition to a low-carbon future for Northland. 

» Ngāwhā Generation Ltd – Zero Carbon Electricity for the Far North

Ngāwhā Generation Ltd is on course to be the first zero-emission geothermal power station in Aotearoa by the end of 2023. Working in an international partnership, NGL has developed and trialled an innovative technology to reduce CO2 emissions, with trials having removed 35,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. Cultural significance and environment protection is honoured with monitoring and advice guided by local hapū, ensuring the geothermal resource is maintained for future generations. NGL is working together with other large geothermal generators across Aotearoa to share insights from trials and help the sector as a whole collectively contribute to a carbon net zero future for Aotearoa.

Highly commended

• CBEC EcoSolutions – Community Compost Connection

For addressing climate change by empowering communities towards greater sustainability.

Kaitiakitanga

This award recognises individuals or groups who are taking action to adapt to a changing climate and transition to a low-carbon future for Northland. 

» Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust

The mahi of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia Trust exemplifies outstanding kaitiaki leadership and a deep commitment to empowering whānau, hapū, and iwi to restore the mauri of te taiao. The trust’s mahi has planted up to 400,000 indigenous trees across a significant area, restored cultural sites, and helped local biodiversity re-establish and flourish and much more.  Its collective involves hapū, community and kura, and weaves together atauranga Māori with western science. Through training opportunities for rangatahi and engaging with kura, the trust is passing down knowledge and fostering true intergenerational kaitiakitanga.

Highly commended

• Nga Tangariki O Ngāti Hine – Te Papa Pa Orooro

For a remarkable wetland restoration project that is “healing our land while healing our people”.

Highly commended

• Environs Te Uri o Hau

For dedication to the revitalisation of kaitiakitanga in their rohe, empowering its people and improving their hauora. 

Highly commended

• Jaycee Tipene-Thomas

For inspirational kaitaiki leadership and mentoring of rangatahi.

Highly commended

• Aki Tai Here

For growing and sharing knowledge across the local community about the importance of kaitiakitanga.

Kiwi Coast outstanding group or project award

This award recognises high achieving Northland groups or projects who have proven their commitment to restoring the health of their local native forests and wildlife, including kiwi.

» Tutukaka Landcare Coalition

For decades of dedicated, community-led mahi with remarkable results for the local environment.