(14.10.2011)
At the New Zealand Community Boards Conference's Best Practice Awards, the Kaitake Community Board ( west coast of North Island, in Taranaki region) received the Partnership Award for its work on the Blue Flag programme at Oakura Beach. The award is highly contested by community boards and councils throughout New Zealand.
"The key to all successful Blue Flag programme throughout the world are our partnerships, people working together for a common cause - people who make things happen, the Kaitaki Community Board and local government are excellent examples of such partnerships" says Robert Acton, National Operator of Blue Flag in New Zealand. "The Kaitake Community Board couldn't have made Oakura Beach's Blue Flag programme as comprehensive and worthwhile as it is today without the involvement of our partners: Oakura School, Oakura Boardriders Club, New Plymouth Old Boys Surf Life Saving Club, New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Taranaki District Health Board and Department of Conservation.
"The involvement of such a wide representative stakeholders' group helps ensure Oakura Beach remains a very special place for all to enjoy." says Doug Hislop, chair of KCB Blue Flag promotes sustainable development at beaches and marinas, dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and other services.
Oakura, Fitzroy and EastEnd beaches were the first to receive the Blue Flag accreditation for beaches in New Zealand.
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a non-governmen, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education.
FEE is an international umbrella organisation with one national member organisation per country representing FEE on the national level and in charge of implementing FEE programmes nationally. FEE currently has 74 member organisations in 64 countries worldwide.
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