NOMINATIONS for the Wellington Community Awards are now open.

The contest is returning after a successful inaugural outing last year, which was dubbed ‘Wellington’s answer to the Oscars.’

The 2024 awards launched the day after the Academy Award ceremony in Los Angeles, and hopes to put local people on centre stage.

Voting is now open across all of the four categories, which are the civic award, youth award, business award and community award.

Wellington’s mayor, councillor Marcus Barr, is encouraging residents to nominate their neighbours. He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the council to honour some of the unsung heroes who have been doing terrific work in the community over the past twelve months.

“Wellington is blessed to have people who work so passionately to support groups, organisations and individuals in the community. This is a way for the council to recognise their efforts and reward them.”