An incorporated society giving Queenstown Lakes' residents and ratepayers a voice in the district's decision-making last night won top honours at the 2015 Trustpower Queenstown Lakes community awards.
Forum-based Shaping Our Future, established in 2011, has informed and made submissions on council policies and held eight forums to date, on topics including energy and economic futures, events, visitors and tourism.
It was presented with the supreme award at an event at the Edgewater Resort in Wanaka, attended by more than 60 supporters, nominators and volunteers.
Trustpower community relations representative Arielle Monk said the volunteers entered in this year's programme showed a ''strong streak of social enterprise'', and the likes of Light Up Wanaka, TedX Queenstown and the Catalyst Charitable Trust were all recognised.
''Learning about what these organisations are doing in the district really gives you a deeper insight into what Queenstown Lakes is all about. Traditionally, we think snow, tourism, transient populations,'' she said.
''But the future planning, problem solving and innovation of these groups suggests there is a strong core population keen to add to the value and cohesiveness of their region.
''It was just brilliant to read about TedX Queenstown bringing in speakers from across New Zealand and the globe, and Shaping Our Future building community forums around issues and goals for the district.''
Two Shaping Our Future representatives, on behalf of the group, received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1500 in prize money.
The group will send two volunteers to represent the district at the 2015 National Trustpower Community Awards, being held in Dunedin in March.
Wakatipu High School pupil Whitney Middendorf was nominated by her school for the youth community spirit award and was named the winner.
The teenager had been an active member of Wakatipu High's leadership team, raised funds regularly for several charities and causes and was an active companion in the elderly section of the community.
Whitney received $500 and a framed certificate, as well as a cheque for $250 to give to a charity of her choice. She chose Rehabilitation and Disabilities Services.
The Wakatipu Reforestation Trust won the heritage and environment category and Hospice Shop Queenstown and Cancer Society and CanShop volunteers were named joint winners of the health and wellbeing category.
Light Up Wanaka was named winner of the arts and culture category, while the Cardrona Alpine Adaptive Programme won the sports and leisure section and the Wakatipu Buddy Programme won the child/youth development category.
