Tūhura Tech wins Hutt City Supreme Community Award
Lower Hutt’s dedicated volunteers took centre stage tonight at a special event recognising their invaluable contributions. The 2025 Volunteer Awards brought together recipients of this year’s Civic Honours and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Hutt City.
Tūhura Tech was named the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards Supreme winner for Hutt City. Tūhura Tech provided free high-quality technology based after-school programmes for more than 1,000 young people across Lower Hutt, Wellington and Porirua this year. The hands-on, project-based sessions engage rangatahi in robotics, cybersecurity, AI, programming, and game development, building technical skills along with confidence, creativity, leadership, and digital empowerment.
Mayor Campbell Barry said the evening was a chance to pause and shine a light on the years of service and selflessness the winners have given, often without ever expecting anything in return.
“These people have given their time, energy and heart to make life better for others.”
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months.
“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 for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year.”
Mayor Barry also acknowledged the friends and whānau who stand behind each volunteer.
“Volunteering doesn’t happen in isolation. The people we recognised last night are supported by others - family, friends, and communities who share in the work and its impact.”
The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Hutt City are run in partnership with Hutt City Council and recognise the work of local community organisations. Winners from the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Hutt City will go on to represent Hutt City at the Wellington-wide finals later this year.
The 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards - Hutt City award winners are:
Supreme Award
- Tūhura Tech
Art & Culture
- Winner: Arohanui Strings+
- Runner Up: Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New Zealand
Education & Child/Youth Development
- Winner: Tūhura Tech
- Runner Up: New Zealand Young Singers in Harmony Trust
Health & Wellbeing
- Winner: Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) - Hato Hone St John
- Runner Up: Pito-One Harmony Singers
Heritage & Environment
- Winner: Forest & Bird Lower Hutt Branch
- Runner Up: Puke Ariki Pest Free
Sport & Leisure
- Winner: Hutt Valley Saints Softball Club
- Runner Up: Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball
Rising Star
- Winner: Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand
- Runner Up: Kai Share Whanau
For information on the Hutt City Council Civic Awards, visit huttcity.govt.nz
