The Gibbston Community Association has been nominated for the award, along with Great Barrier Island's Aotea Family Support Group and the Christchurch Charity Hospital.
The association's profile was raised with the launch of the $1.4 million Gibbston River Trail, officially opened on December 4.
Chairwoman said the group was "overwhelmed" by the nomination.
"We have worked extremely hard over the past six years to create the river trail ... but as a community we have also provided a number of other amenities which have caught the eye of organisers behind the community awards scheme."
They included a highway rest area; landscaped community reserve with cricket oval and children's orchard; community rubbish and recycling depot; car parking, picnic and toilet facilities at an original gold-mining settlement and orchard; and information panels at the historic Rum Currie's hut on the banks of the Kawarau River.
The awards will be presented in Auckland on February 2.
