Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) were excited to announce the winners of this year's Beautiful Awards at a gala dinner held at the Auckland Maritime Room this evening.
Dunedin was crowned the Most Beautiful City, against strong competitor Hutt City, while Taupo and Raglan took out the Most Beautiful Large and Small Town awards, respectively. Most Beautiful Town and City finalists were decided after a visit from celebrity judges, renowned New Zealand stencil artist Flox (Hayley King), NZ House & Garden Editor Sally Duggan, along with a representative from KNZB.In addition to winning the Most Beautiful Small Town Award, Raglan has also taken out the Supreme Award, in what the judges described as an unprecedented commitment and effort regarding their community beautification programme. Raglan will receive a customised community mural, designed and painted by Flox in their town. Twelve other awards were also presented on the night, celebrating environmental excellence among businesses, schools, individuals and places throughout New Zealand. Heather Saunderson, CEO of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, says "The Beautiful Awards celebrate the incredible inroads into sustainability, environmental excellence and community beautification that New Zealand is making as a nation. From the efforts of councils in the Most Beautiful Towns and Cities Awards, to the contributions made by everyday kiwis in our Community Group and Individual Awards; every entrant in the Beautiful Awards deserves to be celebrated for their contribution towards making New Zealand a safer, cleaner and more beautiful place for current and subsequent generations."