Victory Village

New Zealand Community of the Year

2010

Mitre 10

New Zealand Community of the Year

Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau

Victory Village

Victory Village, located in Nelson, New Zealand, was honoured as the 2010 Kiwibank New Zealand Community of the Year for its remarkable transformation from a community facing high crime rates and low educational achievement to a thriving, cohesive neighbourhood. Central to this revitalisation was the collaboration between Victory Primary School and the Victory Community Health Centre, creating an integrated hub that provided education, health services, and social support to families. This family-centred, community-led approach led to significant improvements, including a substantial reduction in student turnover and the establishment of a safe, engaged environment for residents. Victory Village has since become a model for holistic community development, inspiring similar initiatives across New Zealand.

The communities who have shown the best of collective change, achieving outstanding impact together. A group of people whose achievements enhance the social, economic, cultural, or environmental prosperity of the community they serve.

Nominees of this Award must:

Be more than one person (duo, group, community or organisation) who has made – or is making – a significant contribution to their region, town, suburb, community (be it geographical, or interest specific), iwi, or local group. In any sector including (but not limited to) business, leadership, culture, voluntary work, disaster relief, environmental work, health, education, sporting clubs, or working with the disadvantaged.
Have had significant impact over the last 12 months.
Be role models for New Zealanders and highlight collective action toward positive change.
Meet Awards Conditions of Entry.

Award Criteria

Judges will review each nominee using the following criteria:

10 points: OVERALL INSPIRATION:
Describe the community, group or duo you are nominating and the work that they do (particularly over the past 12-months) that has inspired you to nominate them as 2025 Mitre 10 Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau.
10 points: PURPOSE:
Who benefits from the work of this community, and how?
10 points: COMMITMENT:
Describe the commitment of time, risks, and challenges overcome to create an impact to this point (this may still be ongoing).
10 points: PROVEN IMPACT:
How has this community clearly demonstrated a positive impact in their area of influence? How has this been measured?
10 points: LONG-TERM IMPACT:
If applicable, how would the nominee/s enhance, grow, and/or adapt their approach in the future to best meet the changing needs of their community? How would winning this award impact this group and the work that they are doing?
10 points: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & INNOVATIVE THINKING:
How thoughtful, creative, and unique is this community’s approach to their challenge, opportunity, or situation?