Rotorua District Council wins national award for youth spaces project

Rotorua District Council (RDC) has picked up the national Youth Spaces Award at the 2012 Youth in Local Government conference in Invercargill.

The award recognises the council’s work on engaging with young people and the wider community on its Rotorua youth spaces project, and its recently completed youth spaces in Western Heights and Fordlands.

RDC youth projects officer Jill Campbell collected the award at the annual Youth in Local Government conference accompanied by Rotorua District youth councillor Jana Topia, Fordlands youth representative Koro Tuakanakore, and Western Heights representative and Rotorua youth councillor Shantahlia Korau.

Mrs Campbell said this year’s win tops off RDC’s success at last year’s awards when the council received the ‘supreme award’ for the planning process undertaken to get the youth space project underway.

“Our three youth representatives were excited to pick up this year’s award on behalf of their communities and the district. It certainly opens their eyes to what can be achieved by young Rotorua people, and the opportunities that are out there from collaboration with their local council.

“The council’s very proud of the work we've been doing with young people and the communities of Western Heights and Fordlands. These spaces are more than just youth parks - they are an acknowledgement of the importance of catering for the needs of the youth sector and an opportunity for real local community development.”

Work is currently underway on a new Koutu youth space in Karenga Park which will be the third for Rotorua district.