Source: Radio New Zealand
Vinnie Jackson. Supplied / TRC
Young trappers helping preserve biodiversity, a charity diverting hundreds of tonnes of waste from landfill and farmers leading the way with freshwater mahi and protecting ecosystems are among the winners of the 2025 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards.
Eight winners and six highly commended recipients have been recognised for their inspirational efforts across the region.
Council chair Craig Williamson said they were leading by example in improving freshwater and indigenous biodiversity, cutting carbon emissions and inspiring a new generation of young environmental leaders.
“The scope of their work is remarkable and every recipient deserves our recognition and thanks. The 14 award winners are walking the walk when it comes to protecting our environment and it’s very pleasing to see they range in age from 12 to 75, showing how every generation is doing their bit.”
The winners in the seven categories were:
Environmental action in the community
Tupu a Nuku. Supplied / TRC
Tupu ā Nuku – for its mahi building conservation pathways for rangatahi in Taranaki.
The work is restoring landscapes and strengthening iwi-led environmental work.
Delivered by Ngāti Maru, Tupu ā Nuku creates pathways into conservation work, seeding a future workforce committed to protecting the environment.
The mahi includes native tree planting, goat control, predator monitoring, eco-sourcing and seed collection and the release of kiwi.
The judges said Tupu ā Nuku exemplified excellence in hands-on, culturally grounded conservation education and the programme would have inter-generational impacts.
Employment advisor (pastoral care) Tumu Taituarā, Jayden Waiwiri, said: “It’s a huge honour to receive the award from Taranaki Regional Council which acknowledges some of the hard mahi that we do.”
Environmental leadership in farming
Sophie (L) and Nick Brown with their family. Supplied / TRC
Nick and Sophie Brown – for integrating environmental best practice into their farm business.
They have a TRC Comprehensive Farm Plan and understand the importance of protecting soil and water quality. They have created a pole nursery, fenced and planted a wetland and left many steep areas to revert to native scrub.
The judges hailed the Browns’ exemplary commitment to environmental stewardship over a long period of time.
“We were honoured that the council picked us. We’ve been very fortunate to work with a number of great land management officers over the last 10 years we’ve lived here. I’ve really, really enjoyed working with the council to implement some really neat stuff on the farm which has made a difference,” says Nick.
Youth environmental leader (joint winners)
Jahn Voschezang. Supplied / TRC
Vinnie Jackson – for his work leading Inglewood Primary School’s trapping team – the ‘Assassin’s Squad’ – and his efforts to trap possums on his family’s farm.
With support from the kura, the Year 7 pupil started a student team to set traps around the school’s bush learning area. He has also been a junior ambassador at the Rotokare Scenic Reserve where he learnt a lot about the bush and how important it is to eradicate pests for our native birds.
The judges were impressed with Vinnie’s dedication to improving native habitats.
“It’s great to see him grow and do a lot for conservation and the farm. We are really proud of him,” said mum Michelle Jackson.
Jahn Voschezang – for his outstanding mahi at two schools trapping predators across more than 21 hectares of bush to protect indigenous biodiversity.
He was helping to bring back native birds, lizards and flora and had plans to extend his trapping efforts.
Mum Michelle Voschezang said: “We’re very proud that he won this award. It kind of solidifies all the work that he’s done and celebrates all his work.”
Environmental leadership in climate action
WISE Charitable Trust. Supplied / TRC
WISE Charitable Trust – for its mahi at The Junction Zero Waste Hub diverting hundreds of tonnes of waste from landfill.
The charity’s Reuse Shop has been visited by more than 140,000 people in just four years.
WISE also worked with the Waitara community and government providers to recruit people and provide long-term meaningful employment.
“This means so much to us and we’re super stoked,” said general manager Paul Scouller.
Environmental action in biodiversity
The Newton family, from left – Ed, Stephen and Helen. Supplied / TRC
The Newton family – for their work protecting more than 160 hectares of indigenous ecosystems in Urenui.
Stephen, Helen and Ed have worked closely with the council on setting up four Key Native Ecosystems on their farm. Their work includes excluding stock, restoration planting, pest control and invasive weed control.
The judges praised the Newtons for their unwavering commitment to environmental preservation over a long period of time and the wide scope of their work, which is improving native habitats on the property.
“For me, it’s a big sense of pride. I’m grateful for the recognition for the family and my brother Stephen’s efforts,” said Ed.
Environmental action in water quality improvement
Awatuna Catchment Group. Supplied / TRC
Awatuna Catchment Group – as the first Taranaki Catchment Communities group to start freshwater mahi, they provided the blueprint for all the other groups in the region-wide initiative.
The judges were impressed by the breadth of the group’s work to understand water quality and efforts to unite its community toward the cause of enhancing water quality.
They’ve also undertaken fish passage assessment training with NIWA, recognising the importance of native fauna to maintaining ecosystems and freshwater quality.
Group co-ordinator Nicola Bryant said: “Winning the award means a lot to us as a group. It celebrates the work that we’ve done and it’s really great to see that our work hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Environmental action in education
Te Ara Taiao. Supplied / TRC
Te Ara Taiao – This collaboration between hapū, the Department of Conservation and Sustainable Taranaki works with 14 schools around the region.
The judges were impressed with the exemplary work with tamariki and rangatahi which demonstrated how meaningful partnerships between hapū, schools and conservation organisations could nurture the next generation of environmental kaitiaki.
The group’s work included kiwi releases, plantings on dunes, beach clean-ups and students had built seven shadehouses at schools, using them to grow native plants from eco-sourced seeds.
“We are humbled by this. This award reflects on all of those people that have contributed to our young people and the aspiration that we can improve the Taiao,” said Kairuruku (education co-ordinator) Jane Bowden-Dobson.
Highly commended recipients
Environmental action in education
Stratford Community Childcare Centre – for its mahi helping tamariki learn about and care for the environment.
Peter McNamara – for his environmental mahi in Stratford. Peter’s work with schools, community groups and others is changing attitudes to waste and sustainability.
Youth environmental leader
Western Institute of Technology student Joshua Judson – for his conservation work across Taranaki.
Nathan Hills – for his conservation and environmental work across Taranaki.
Environmental action in biodiversity
Murray Dixon – for his mahi trapping predators in Ahititi near Tongapōrutu.
Environmental leadership in farming
Faull Farms – for the family’s sustainable land management work and environmental responsibility.
Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards have been running since 1993 and a total of 394 groups, individuals, charities, farmers, large, small and medium businesses, schools and kindergartens, and iwi and hapū had been recognised.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
