2024 Love Your Place Awards
Celebrating Waitākere’s environmental heroes
The Love Your Place Awards celebrate volunteers, businesses and schools making a difference for the environment in the Waitākere Ranges Local Board area. The awards are held every two years.
The 2024 awards event was held on Sunday 2 March 2025, following the nominations period which ran during November 2024.
2024 Winners and Highly Commended
Denise Yates Award: for youth (18 years and under) showing emerging leadership around local environmental issues.
Winner: Eloise Dwyer
At just 13 years old, Eloise is a dedicated volunteer at Matuku Link, regularly attending Sunday working bees with her family. Her passion led to her becoming the first-ever “Junior Volunteer” for the school holiday programmes. She inspires younger children to explore nature, teaching them about native insects and harakeke weaving. With her leadership and patience, she nurtures curiosity and respect for the environment. Eloise’s commitment is making a meaningful impact on both the local ecosystem and tamariki.
Highly Commended: Fred Cannon
At just 15 years old, Fred has shown outstanding dedication to pest control and environmental conservation with Karekare Landcare. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, he secured additional traps to protect community resources and won a local trapping competition by capturing 25 predators. He continues to maintain traps, log catches, and manage two bait lines, making a lasting impact on the local ecosystem. Fred’s efforts inspire others and highlight the power of youth in environmental stewardship.
Karaka Award: for a school or school group taking action on a local environmental issue.
Winner: Green Bay High School Green Impact Group
The Green Impact Group at Green Bay High School has shown exceptional dedication to sustainability, particularly through the Second Bite project. This initiative, in partnership with local businesses, has successfully diverted around 2,000 kg of green waste since May, helping reduce landfill waste. Additionally, the group has implemented a waste separation program on campus, promoting proper disposal of food waste, recyclables, soft plastics, and general rubbish. Their efforts are educating students and staff on environmentally responsible habits and reducing waste contamination. Through these initiatives, the group is creating lasting change and setting an example of environmental stewardship in the school and the wider community.
Highly Commended: Shining Starz
Shining Starz teachers and tamariki embrace kaitiaki practices to care for their community and environment. They lead by example, influencing whānau through initiatives like soft plastic recycling, worm farming, and growing fruits and vegetables with food scraps. Through their actions, they hope to inspire others and create a thriving, sustainable future.
Nīkau Award: for a business or social enterprise making a contribution to improve the environment.
Winner: Arataki Visitor Centre
Arataki Visitor Centre is the gateway to the Waitākere Ranges in West Auckland, it is a key tourism and education hub providing information and organising events about the region. Laura, Olly, and their team have created an incredible, welcoming atmosphere that enhances the visitor experience. They respectfully share the stories of Te Wao Nui ā Tiriwa, Te Kawerau ā Maki, and local tūpuna with schools and visitor groups. Their dedication to manaakitanga has inspired numerous schools to book visits, engage with Arataki’s offerings, and participate in various initiatives.
Highly Commended: BirdCare Aotearoa
BirdCare Aotearoa provides expert clinical care and rehabilitation for wild birds in Aotearoa, particularly in the Waitākere Ranges. Through education, research, and collaborations—including with mana whenua, government agencies, and community groups—they work to upskill future wildlife professionals, engage the public in conservation, and support social initiatives like work experience programs. Their efforts not only save birds but also restore biodiversity, strengthen environmental leadership, and foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
Rātā Award: for an outstanding volunteer group or organisation taking action on a local environmental issue.
Winner: Restoration Ruatuna
Restoration Ruatuna is a dedicated volunteer group restoring native habitats in Laingholm, tackling weed-infested areas, managing native planting, and addressing flood and erosion issues. Their work has engaged the community along Western Rd, fostering environmental stewardship through working bees, fundraisers, and educational outreach. Through consistent communication and hands-on involvement, they have built a strong network of advocates for local conservation. Deirdre and Len, are key members, and have played a vital role in stream restoration, pest control, and community education. Their commitment to protecting Laingholm’s natural environment makes them a model of community-driven sustainability.
Highly Commended: Petrelheads
Since 2016, the Petrelheads have managed around 350 traps across 310 hectares of the Cornwallis Peninsula and Kakamatua, significantly reducing pests and helping native birdlife, including rare grey-faced petrels, flourish. Their efforts, led by Alex and Rosemary Duncan, have inspired strong community involvement, with locals joining the trapping team and participating in weeding bees, beach cleanups, and environmental initiatives. The noticeable increase in birdlife, including regular visits from kākā since 2020, is a testament to their dedication, leadership, and the collective mahi of the entire Petrelheads team.
Highly Commended: Friends of Whatipū
For 24 years, Friends of Whatipū have served as kaitiaki for the remote Whatipū area, transforming its landscape with the planting of approximately 18,000 eco-sourced trees and maintaining trap lines around the lodge and campground. With no local residential community, Friends of Whatipū has relied on a dedicated volunteer group to organize annual planting and beach clean-up events, as well as heritage-focused gatherings that attract strong public participation.
Kahikatea Award: for an outstanding individual volunteer taking action on a local environmental issue.
Winner: Megan Fitter
Megan has been the dedicated secretary of the Waima to Laingholm Pest Free Group for six years, managing administration and public relations while actively supporting conservation efforts. She has successfully organized key community events, including a public meeting at Woodlands Park School. Megan is also involved in multiple environmental initiatives, such as the Little Muddy Creek Estuary Rehabilitation Project, Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance, and Huia Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project. She collaborates with local groups like Restoration Ruatuna and South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network, educating the public on conservation, trapping, and responsible pet ownership. Her dedication and extensive contributions make her a key figure in the Waitākere Ranges community
Highly Commended: Peter King
Peter has dedicated over 20 years to pest control and ecological monitoring in Karekare, establishing the La Trobe Mainland Island project to study the impact of pest management on native flora and fauna. His work, supported by his wife Jean and the Karekare Landcare Charitable Trust, has led to increased bird populations, significant forest regrowth, and ongoing community education. A former teacher and environmental leader, Peter continues to inspire and train locals while maintaining bait station lines.
The Love Your Place Awards 2024 are funded by the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and organised and hosted by EcoMatters Environment Trust.
The 2024 awards judging panel is Susan Hutchinson-Daniel (Sustainable Schools – WRLB area), Tyler Taua-Gordon (Te Kawerau ā Maki), Carla Gee (EcoMatters), and Annalily van den Broeke (Matuku Link).
To see the Facebook album, click here.
To view all the 2024 event photos (hi res and web res for download), click here.
Past award winners
See photos from the 2022 awards.
See photos from the 2020 awards.
Nominees
Congratulations to all our nominees who, in addition to those listed in the winners and highly commended section, also included:
Karaka Award (school or school group)
- Kaurilands School
- Konini School Bee Group
- Lone Kauri School
- Woodlands Park School
- Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
Nīkau Award (business or social enterprise)
Rātā Award (volunteer group or organisation)
- FairFood
- Friends of Whatipu
- South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network
- Te Henga Community Hub
- Oratia Wildlife Project
Kahikatea Award (individual volunteer)
- Anna Selby
- Daniel Percy
- David Minty
- Dick Bellamy
- Dudley Bell
- Chris and Angela Turbott
- Estelle Clark
- George Bell
- Joshua Stobard
- Marianne Blankenbyl
- Nicole Quinton
- Tamsin Norman
- Pamela Gill
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