Future city shapers awarded

Massey University’s top planning students have been honoured at the 32nd presentation of Palmerston North City Council prizes.

The awards are given to the top student in each year of the Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning degree.

The 2020 winners were Josie KnightMaclean, Sarah-jane Hutchinson, Lucy Knowles and joint fourth-year winners Tara Lennard and Ross Bidlake.

Mayor Grant Smith said the students had studied hard to enter the profession.

‘‘Planning is a key area of local government, and while the recipients may not all choose to work for councils, they will no doubt make positive contributions to the industry and the cities they will be working in.

‘‘They are all passionate about the discipline of planning and the future opportunities ahead of them.

‘‘ This is a credit to the programme Massey provides.’’

Each of the four awards is named after city planning stalwarts who have helped shape Palmerston North – David Spring, Ken Nairn, JT Stewart and Bernard J Forde.

They symbolise the relationship between the council and Massey University, and in particular, the Bachelor of Resource and Environmental Planning Programme.