The Award for MOST BEAUTIFUL LARGE TOWN (10,000 - 29,999 residents) went to Taupō.

In an already picturesque township, the Taupō community is taking sustainability and lessening their environmental impact to the next level. The community has been working with businesses to conduct waste audits, and have achieved an impressive 90% diversion from landfill with this programme.

Another unique programme is the creation of a new natural burial zone which provides people in the Taupō District a greater choice in how they wish their remains to be returned to the earth, whilst also helping reduce environmental pollutions that is created by the embalming process and/or cremation.

Source: Keep New Zealand Beautiful