UPPER HUTT City is about to recognise its young achievers with the annual Young Achievers Awards being presented next monday.

For the first time this year they will be presented alongside the Civic Awards.

Mayor Guppy says the awards are a good way for youth to feel more involved in the community.“It’s important that the city or their peers recognise what they do and recognise what they’ve achieved is good for the community and good for them,” he says.

He also thinks it is a good way for the council to connect with younger people.

“Young people see that the city hall does care, that they are an important voice, and they are an important sector of our community,” he says.

He adds that his favourite part of the awards is seeing the enjoyment young people get when they win an award because he says they are not doing what they do for the recognition.

This year there were 30 nominees for the five different categories: Be the Change, Social Hero, Cultural, Leadership, and Mayor’s Award.

Mayor Guppy says awards night will be exciting with lots of performances and speeches.

One stand-out performer will be the winner of last years New Zealand’s Got Talent, Upper Hutt local Renee Maurice.

The awards night will be held at Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre in Upper Hutt on the 19th May and will be presented by the Mayor.