Ekta win Wellington City Community Awards

The Wellington City winners have been named for the 2022 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards at a ceremony at the National Library.

The annual awards recognise the contribution of voluntary and not-for-profit organisations in Wellington by acknowledging their mahi and how they make a difference in our communities across the arts, heritage, and environment.

The Supreme winner was Ekta NZ, a not-for-profit group aiming to build an inclusive Aotearoa that unites people, supports vulnerable communities, and enables people to engage in everyday activities comfortably. Some of the services provided by Ekta include an ethnic food bank, food distribution, isolation support, vaccination drives, and annual festive events for the more vulnerable members of our community.

Mayor Andy Foster says Ekta NZ is the perfect example of what these awards celebrate.

“This organisation is making a real difference in the community and contributing positively to the culture while encouraging inclusivity and diversity.

“All the award nominees and category winners deserve the recognition they have received this evening, and we are proud to showcase their valuable contributions that can often go unnoticed.”

Wellington Airport’s Manager Brand and Sponsorship, Jo Maxwell, said the airport was proud to recognise the amazing work of community groups in Wellington City over the previous 12 months.

“Many of these groups don’t always get the recognition they deserve, which is a big reason why we run these awards,” she said.

“Congratulations to all the winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year.”

The winners were selected from over 66 finalists across the categories, with judges considering key factors including impact on the community, innovation and creativity, and effectiveness.

2022 WELLINGTON AIRPORT REGIONAL COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS – WELLINGTON CITY

Arts & Culture

• Winner - Silver Noodle Soup
• Runner Up – Creative Capital Arts Trust- Fringe Festival

Education & Child/Youth Development

• Winner - Arohanui Strings
• Runner Up - Te Ora Hou

Health & Wellbeing

• Winner – Ekta NZ
• Runner Up – Samaritans of Wellington

Heritage & Environment

• Winner - EkeRua ReBicycle
• Runner Up - Ghost Diving

Sport & Leisure

• Winner - Coastguard Wellington
• Runner Up - Revolve Cycling Club

Rising Star

• Winner - Silver Noodle Soup
• Runner Up - Capital Theatre Trust

Supreme

• Ekta NZ

Photo by Neil Price for Wellington City Council