Māoriland Charitable Trust wins Kāpiti Supreme Community Award
Heartfelt community spirit and dedication were on full display last night as the Kāpiti Coast came together to honour its local heroes at the 2025 Kāpiti Good Sorts and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Kāpiti.
Māoriland Charitable Trust was named the 2025 Supreme Award winner. The trust exists to celebrate Indigenous creativity for the wellbeing of all people. Based in Ōtaki, they are home to the Māoriland Film Festival – the largest Indigenous film festival in the world – and operate year-round as a hub for creativity, collaboration and community.
Through film, arts, and storytelling, they support rangatahi and Indigenous artists to share their voices with the world. Programmes include filmmaking workshops, artist residencies, technology and innovation spaces, and international cultural exchanges. At the heart of their mahi is a belief in the power of Indigenous knowledge, language and identity to transform lives.
Hosted by the Kāpiti Coast District Council in partnership with Wellington Airport, the celebration took place at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti and recognised individuals and groups whose generosity, service, and leadership continue to shape the vibrant Kāpiti district.
Wellington Airport Chief Executive Matt Clarke said the awards are a valuable way to acknowledge the powerful impact of grassroots volunteer efforts.
“These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community,” he said.
“Congratulations to all finalists and winners – and best of luck at the regional finals later this year.”
Winners from the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Kāpiti will go on to represent Kāpiti at the Wellington-wide finals later this year.
The 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Kāpiti award winners are:
Arts and Culture
- Winner: Māoriland Charitable Trust
- Runner up: WIDance Trust
Education and Child/Youth Development
- Winner: Ōtaki Kids Market
- Runner up: Multicultural Educational Campaign Horowhenua-Kāpiti Coast
Health and Wellbeing
- Winner: Te Hāhi
- Runner up: Home4All
Heritage and Environment
- Winner: Paekākāriki Bike Library
- Runner up: Predator Free Waikanae
Sports and Leisure
- Winner: Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon
- Runner up: Coastguard Kāpiti
Rising Star
- Winner: Projects for Good Kāpiti (combined Lions and Rotary project)
Supreme Award
- Winner: Māoriland Charitable Trust
For information on the Kāpiti Good Sorts and Mayoral Awards presented, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/
