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The results are in, and Hamilton and Whanganui will share the coveted, if not controversial, title of New Zealand’s most beautiful city.
Both cities were announced as finalists in Keep New Zealand Beautiful’s 2020 “Beautiful Awards” in August and, after weeks of anticipation, the judges have determined that the city’s category is too close to call, with Hamilton named the big city. most beautiful and Whanganui crowned the greatest. beautiful little town.
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Hamilton (left) and Whanganui (right) were “very similar” cities, Keep New Zealand Beautiful decided.
The cities were very similar, noted Keep New Zealand Beautiful CEO Heather Saunderson.
“They are both river cities, they have a great focus on the arts and beautification, and they both have well-established world-class recycling facilities,” he said.
“The only tangible difference between the two is scale, so we decided to do something a little different this year and award them both the ‘most beautiful city’ award.”
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Whanganui will enjoy the glory of being the most beautiful of (almost) all of them for the second year in a row; last year he also claimed the award, relegating Lower Hutt to second place.
Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay region was named the most beautiful large city, beating Cambridge in Waikato, while the South Island’s Arrowtown took the most beautiful small town category, claiming victory over Waiheke Island.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism / Supplied
Hastings has been crowned the most beautiful large city in New Zealand.
Hastings also claimed the supreme prize of towns and cities, which came with the award of a community mural valued at up to $ 10,000.
“Of all the towns and cities we visited, Hastings ranked highest for community beautification, but it also excelled on all other criteria, making it the clear winner of the top award,” Saunderson said.
Other winners in slightly more niche but no less important categories were Hunua Falls toilets in Auckland, which won the award for best bathroom, and Victoria Street in Cambridge, which was named best street.
The annual awards celebrate the environmental excellence of communities, businesses, schools and individuals in New Zealand.
This year’s guest judge was author and wellness expert Rachel Grunwell.
