Winner of The Minister of Local Government's Award for Council/Community Relations : Taupo District Council, Otumuheke Stream Revitalisation
About the Entry:
Otumuheke Hot Stream is a popular visitor attraction that has experienced a trebling in visitor numbers in the last 10 years with all of the positive and negative effects such as erosion and theft. Taupo worked with Ngati Tuwharetoa and with local stakeholders to complete a cultural and ecological enhancement project to bring the appropriate tourist amenity while preserving the cultural significance of the site.
The Judges said:
The revitalisation involved the successful balancing of the desirability of supporting a tourist destination with the need to protect the cultural and environmental heritage and value of the site - a challenge many face. Taking the time and budget to develop partnerships is something that the sector can learn from.