Community Service Awards

Nominations and Applications for the 2026 awards are currently open and close on Sunday 24 May.

The Clutha District Community Service Awards is an annual event recognising groups, individuals, and a year 13 student in the community who are doing great volunteer work for the Clutha District.

Winning recipients in each of the Community Group areas will receive $1,000 and the Supreme Winner of that group will receive an additional $2,000.

The recipient of the Youth Community Spirit Award will receive $750.

The awards are in three categories:

Individual awards: people can nominate an unsung hero in the Clutha community.

Youth Spirit Award: for a year 13 student who has greatly contributed to their school and community during their time as a student. Anyone can enter a student for a Youth Spirit Award (including the student themselves). The award is open to all Year 13 students, and multiple entries from the same school will be accepted.

Community Group Awards: For community groups that have achieved a special project in the past 12 months of benefit to our district under one of the following categories (can self-nominate):

• Heritage & Environment - improve and revitalise the local environment, culture or heritage.
• Health & Wellbeing - to provide services that enhance the health and social wellbeing of people.
• Arts & Culture - enhance and increase participation in arts and creative leisure activities or improve community culture.
• Leisure & Recreation - increase participation and/or enjoyment in physical leisure activities and recreational pursuits or provide support to participants.
• Educational & Child/ Youth Development - improve and enhance the education of the community, or the educational or social development of children and youth.

The awards are presented annually at a formal ceremony.

For more information please contact Council on 0800 801 350 or help.desk@cluthadc.govt.nz .

The awards (previously the Trustpower Community Awards which were disestablished in 2018), have been picked up by the Clutha District Council and will continue as the Clutha District Community Service Awards.