It’s official! We’re now beautiful

Taupo¯ is now officially the ‘most beautiful large town’ in the country, winning its category at the Keep New Zealand Beautiful annual awards last Friday.

Mayor David Trewavas said winning was testament to a real community effort and a credit to all involved.

“We as a council have worked hard to proactively promote a number of initiatives over the past 12 months and volunteer groups like Tidy Taupo¯, Greening Taupo¯ and Boomerang Bags have really put us on the map,” he said. “This award is a great indication of the hard work of both our council and community to keep Taupo¯ beautiful. It’s all about looking after the places we love.”

KNZB chief executive Heather Saunderson said that Taupo¯ blew the judges away when they visited in August.

“The strong community spirit was evident in each of the litter prevention, recycling and community beautification projects we visited. It’s obvious that the people of Taupo¯ are proud of their town, and that the council is working hard to help ensure the beauty of this special area is protected,” she said.

Many community and council initiatives were included — Greening Taupo¯’s planting days, Graffiato street art, beautification of urban spaces, Tidy Taupo¯ and other litter events, protection of lake water through improved wastewater and stormwater systems, and the Otumuheke Stream redevelopment.