Awards received

Kāpiti Coast District Council is a winner in many areas of our operations. This page outlines awards we've received in recognition of excellence in our work.

2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2014 | 2012 | 2011

2020

We were named Toitū Envirocare’s top carbon reducer for 2020 for our ongoing work to reduce our carbon emissions. We signed up to Toitū’s Carbon Emissions Measurement and Reporting Scheme (CEMARS) in 2011 after adopting a target of reducing emissions by 80% by 2021/22 compared to baseline levels in 2009/10.

Enviro-Mark Solutions Award for excellence in climate action

We won the 2019 Enviro-Mark Solutions Award for Excellence in Climate Action (Medium Footprint Organisation), achieving a 76 percent emissions reduction since 2009. This is the yearly equivalent waste to landfill emissions from 50,000 people.

2018

CEMARS leading emissions reducer

We were named the leading certified CO₂ equivalent emission reducer in the Carbon Emissions Measurement and Reporting Scheme (CEMARS) programme.

Recreation Aotearoa Award for Maclean Park

Our Maclean Park Refresh: Community Engagement Project received a merit award in the 2018 Recreation Aotearoa Awards in the category Outstanding, Research, Planning and Policy.

Read more at Maclean Park Refresh project

2017

Enviro-Mark Solutions Award for carbon management

We took out the Overall Award for Outstanding Performance in Carbon Management (Large Organisation) in the 2017 Enviro-Mark Solutions Award. We were recognised for not only drastically reducing our emissions but also reaping the financial benefit of managing our carbon footprint. The energy savings through one project implemented as part of our CEMARS certification led to reduced costs of $300,000 per year.

2016

EECA Award for energy and emissions work

We were commended in the 2016 EECA Awards for our continuing energy and emissions saving work. EECA judges said excellent leadership had led to a comprehensive group of long-term interlinked projects which were reducing the Council’s carbon footprint and saving ratepayers’ money.

We achieved a 12% reduction in petrol and diesel use in 2014/15, saving $20,000 and 56 tonnes of carbon dioxide. We did this through:

vehicle maintenance, reduced mileage and educating staff on how to be more fuel efficient when driving
promoting walking, cycling and taking public transport as alternatives to driving cars.

Also contributing to our total energy saving are our electric refuse collection trucks (a world first) and Paraparaumu Wastewater Treatment Plant's solar electric system which is saving six tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and $6,500 in energy costs each year.

2014

Green Ribbon Award for reducing our emissions

We won our second Green Ribbon Award for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 48 percent since 2010. We achieved these reductions through a range of energy and waste minimisation initiatives as part of our CEMARS certification programme. Initiatives included:

reducing organic waste to landfill
converting diesel to wood fuel in sewage drying
reducing energy use by 26 percent at Waikanae Pool through better management practices and new technology
recycling water at Coastlands Aquatic Centre through a heat pump heat recovery system that condenses water vapour from the exhaust air stream. This produces around 3,000 litres of water a day that can be recycled back into the pool.

EECA Public Sector Award

In the 2014 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Awards we won the Public Sector Award for our proactive approach to energy saving and emissions reduction and the NZ Community Award for engaging strongly with the community on energy-saving initiatives.

The NZ Community Award recognised these key projects:

our free Eco Design Service that provides advice on how to have more energy-efficient healthier homes
the Greenest Neighbourhoods competition
Energise Ōtaki
our work with schools/student groups.

We also received a highly commended in the Energy Management Award for CO₂reduction and energy efficiency practices underpinning all our operations.

Infrastructure Project of the Year

Our Waikanae River Recharge Project won Infrastructure Project of the Year at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference in April 2014. The award is for a project that has led to improved efficiencies and effectiveness for local businesses, residents and visitors, and has contributed to an economic or environmental benefit for their region.

2012

Youth in Local Government Award

We won the supreme award in the biennial Youth in Local Government Awards for developing, in partnership with the Youth Council, the Kāpiti Coast Youth Survey and Youth2U Action Plan. In turn, these resulted in initiatives such as the Youth2ULive programme of youth-focused activities, the ThinkBIG Leadership Development Programme and the Youth2UDollars grants scheme.

2011

Green Ribbon Award for protecting and enhancing the environment

Our broader commitment to sustainability was recognised in 2011 when we won the 'Central and Local Government Stepping Up' category in the Ministry for the Environment's prestigious Green Ribbon Award. The awards recognise "the outstanding contributions of individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to protecting and enhancing New Zealand's environment".

Green Ribbon Award 2011 Winner

Some of those things include:

installing a wood-fired boiler to dry sewage sludge and reduce carbon emissions
upgrading pensioner homes with insulation and solar water heating systems
holding an annual ‘Sustainable Home and Garden Show’ to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles
supporting the Clean Technology Centre New Zealand, based in Ōtaki
providing grants and practical help to community groups, schools, businesses and individuals doing good things for the environment
offering help and advice to householders through the Green Gardener, Green Plumber and Eco-Design Advisor services
encouraging sustainable development through innovative planning policies, including Plan Change 75, which requires new homes to have grey water systems and/or rainwater tanks
prioritising environmental sustainability and resilience as part of our economic development plans
encouraging sustainable transport through extending walkways and cycle ways.