Paeroa top community | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Paeroa has been awarded the "New Zealand Community of the Year".

Hauraki District Council mayor John Tregidga said it is tremendously exciting and will be a real boost for Paeroa.

"It is great to see the hard work being rewarded in this way," Mr Tregidga said.

"I speak for the whole district in congratulating Paeroa in winning this award."

District councillor and Paeroa Ward chairperson Julie Bubb, who accepted the award at the Langham Hotel said she was "over the moon" with the award.

"It was well-deserved recognition for the work undertaken by the large numbers of volunteers to develop a safe and vibrant community," she said.

"The application focused on community spirit and the involvement in the town of many organisations and agencies, the staging of events and the very successful safer community programmes that were currently under way in the town.

"It is a testament to work, effort and the can-do attitude of the many people involved."

Positive Paeroa's town promoter, Anee Harris has planned a parade down the main street.

"It's a recognition of how hard this community does actually work ... and what a friendly town we are," Anee said.

Judges said there is more to Paeroa than its famous iconic soft drink, Lemon and Paeroa.

Determined not to fall into decline as so many small towns do when they are faced with an increasingly mobile population and lack of opportunities, Paeroa has countered this with an active and successful events calendar and enhancement of its heritage attractions to actively promote Paeroa as a place to live, work and do business in.

The heart of this community lies with the large number of volunteers whose can-do attitude has seen the community develop to be a safe and vibrant community.

The contribution of many groups has meant that Paeroa hosts a significant number of events throughout the year and is fast becoming known as a tourism destination as well as the "Antiques Town of New Zealand".

Some of the groups involved are The Paeroa Community Support Trust, Positive Paeroa, Paeroa Promotions Trust, Paeroa Highland Games Trust, Life Education Trust, Paeroa Lions, Paeroa Rotary and numerous sporting clubs.

CONGRATULATIONS

Coromandel MP Scott Simpson congratulated Paeroa on winning the New Zealand Community of the Year Award.

"This is a huge acknowledgement of just how terrific Paeroa and its community is," he said.

"Dedicated hard work by so many people has now been officially recognised and it's a thrill for everyone."

• Paeroa is holding a celebratory parade on Friday at 5.30pm and invites everyone to come to town to join in the celebrations.Any community groups wanting to be part of the parade should contact Anee Harris at Positive Paeroa.