A town plan for the capital of the Cook Islands, Avarua, has won an International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) award for its response to the climate crisis.

The honour, awarded to Wânaka company Reset Urban Design, was announced at a gala awards ceremony in South Korea on September 1.

“This award recognises that tough calls need to be made to improve resilience to climate change and that these can be challenging to environmental ideals,” Reset Urban Design director Garth Falconer said.

“The team worked closely with the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) [which commissioned the plan] to understand business, tourism, landowner and community concerns and aspirations, as well as the unique site context.”

Reset Urban Design director Garth Falconer PHOTO: Wānaka App

The Avarua Town Plan was praised by judges for its climate change mitigation and positive contribution to the wider Cook Islands community.

The award was one of two prizes presented to Reset Urban Design, the only New Zealand practice to win awards at the international event.

The company won a second IFLA award for the development of a spatial plan for Aitutaki, an atoll in the Cook Islands.

"I’m stoked to accept these awards for the leading work the Cook Islands government is doing,” Garth said.

“The entire process has been a demonstration of open and transparent dialogue with communities and of their government’s commitment to a sustainable future for their environment and their people.”

Reset Urban Design has been involved in the Wānaka Lakefront Development plan and is one of the driving forces in the Heart of Wānaka initiative.