A celebration of river and catchment communities that are making major efforts to improve river health in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Cawthron New Zealand River Awards 2021
The New Zealand River Awards have been running since 2013 to celebrate the efforts and achievements of people who are committed to improving freshwater health. The process and dates for the 2021 Awards have now been confirmed. There are three award categories:
Supreme Award – Catchment with Most Progress Toward Improved River Health
Recognises a catchment community that has made the most progress toward river health. This award has been renamed in 2021 and the judging criteria have been changed.
River Story Award
Recognises an individual or community that has made major efforts to improve river health, with positive progress recorded.
River Voice Award (Reo Mō te Awa)
Recognises an individual or group that has been an outstanding advocate or communicator about the issues facing New Zealand’s rivers and streams (the recipient of this award is selected by Trustees of the New Zealand Rivers Trust).
All awards will be announced online on 25 November 2021.
About the Cawthron New Zealand River Awards
The New Zealand River Awards were established in 2013 to recognise and celebrate efforts to improve freshwater health in New Zealand.
As one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent freshwater research organisations, Cawthron Institute is proud to deliver these Awards. Our scientific expertise, strong relationships with local government, freshwater managers and catchment groups throughout Aotearoa align with the long-term objectives of the Awards, which are to:
• Improve the health of New Zealand’s rivers and streams.
• Encourage greater community participation in measuring and reporting water quality.
• Highlight the actions being taken to restore freshwater health.
In response to feedback from stakeholders, the freshwater science community and our own desire to enhance the reach and impact of the New Zealand River Awards, we have made changes to the ‘Most Improved River Award’ for 2021. We have renamed the award ‘Catchment With Most Progress Toward River Health’ to reflect changes to the judging criteria… read more here.
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of a second judge to the River Story Award category – Dr Jane Kitson is a hugely respected expert on freshwater in Aotearoa… read more here.
Watch: Profiles of previous finalists and winners
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