It's time to vote for your favourite finalist in the 2023 Western Bay Community Awards.

'We have 24 incredible finalists in the Western Bay Community Awards and we want to know who your favourite is,” says a Western Bay Community Awards spokesperson.

'Show them your love by voting for them in the People's Choice Award.”

Previously known as the TECT Community Awards, the awards return with a new name, the Western Bay Community Awards, and recognise the dedication of Western Bay of Plenty's philanthropic community.

The Western Bay Community Awards are divided into six categories. If, in the view of the judges, an entry meets the criteria for consideration under another category, the judges reserve the right to transfer the entry to that category.

-Event Excellence Award – recognising an event that has excelled in bringing our community together.

-Sustainable Future Award – recognising a group that demonstrates climate related practices, either through projects that protect or improve the environment, or sustainability-focused thinking and action within the organisation's operations.

-Diversity and Inclusion Award – recognising an innovative initiative which supports diversity and inclusion within our community.

-Heart of the Community Award – recognising a group that has gone above and beyond business as usual to support a thriving, caring and connected community.

-Youth Spirit Award – recognising an individual under 25 who embodies community spirit through their contribution to the community.

-Volunteer of the Year Award – recognising an individual who has made a significant contribution to the community.

The general public are now able to vote for their top pick of the finalists in the People's Choice Award. Additionally, a Lifetime Service Award winner will be announced on the awards show night.

Finalists to choose from:

The finalists for the Event Excellence Award are After Dark Urban Light Festival, Diwali Festival, Escape Festival, and STEMFest.

Finalists for the Sustainable Future Award are Aongatete Forest Project, Live Well Waihi Beach, PiPS - People, Plants, Schools, and Project Parore.

The Diversity and Inclusion Award finalists are Detour Theatre, Global Ambassadors of Tauranga and WBOP, Sonic Cinema and StarJam.

The finalists for the Heart of the Community Award are EPIC Te Puke - Te Puke Events and Promotions Group, Grief Support Services, Mums4Mums and Poutiri Wellness Centre.

The Youth Spirit Award finalists are Brooke Taingahue, Darcy Bassett, Dominic Absalom and Jasrose Kaur Mallhi.

Finally, the finalists for the Volunteer of the Year Award are Ann and Basil Graeme, Doug Barnes, Luke Landon, and Tony Booth.

Judging

As well as the People's Choice Awards, A panel made up of community representatives judge the entries. The key criteria considered by judges are:

-Impact on community - benefit of service/project on the wider community

-Innovation and creativity - utilises innovative ideas and new approaches.

-Effectiveness of activities - success of service, achievement or objectives

-Use of resources - cost effectiveness, sustainability, and volunteering involvement and commitment

-Collaboration – evidence of collaboration and partnerships

A 2022 winner won two awards

At the 2022 TECT Community Awards, YWAM Ships Aotearoa won two awards – the ‘Heart of the Community' and the ‘People's Choice' awards.

YWAM Ships Managing Director, Marty Emmet, says being nominated for the Community Awards was an honour.

'We were humbled for our mahi to be acknowledged in this way. These awards are the result of hundreds of volunteers that enable all the activities of YWAM Ships Aotearoa to take place; we feel lucky to have such a strong support base.”

The 2023 Awards will be held in March at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, following an online showcase of all the finalists in the six weeks prior on Facebook and Instagram.

Tauranga Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the Western Bay Community Awards are a great way to highlight and celebrate the invaluable work of community-minded groups and volunteers.

'Their often-thankless work has a significant positive impact on many people's lives, making Tauranga a better place to live for all. The awards are a small way of thanking them for their contributions.”

The Bay's funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council have joined forces to deliver the awards and celebrate the community groups and volunteers who make our region such a special place to live, further reflecting the collaboration of local funders.

TECT Chairperson Bill Holland says it is the local community groups and volunteers who keep our region thriving and the awards are a way to acknowledge and thank them.

'The Community Awards shine a spotlight on many of the unsung heroes working quietly in the background to make our community a better place to live.

'From supporting people's health and wellbeing, to protecting or revitalising the environment, to hosting events that keep us connected, there's so much good work being done by dedicated volunteers and community groups that deserves to be acknowledged.”

Voting for the People's Choice Award which opened on Monday February 20, runs until March 10. The TECT Facebook page is showcasing a ‘Meet the finalist' video for each finalist with a new video posted every day from January 31 – March 10. To vote click here: www.tect.org.nz/peoples-choice-award

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Baycourt on March 16.