Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents have the opportunity to say ‘thanks' to volunteers who do so much for the community via two annual awards.

Entries for the Trustpower Tauranga Community Awards and Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards are now open.

2014 Tauranga Supreme Winner's Jackie and John Paine from Good Neighbour are flanked by Trustpower chief executive Vince Hawksworth and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby. Photo: Supplied.

Independently run in partnership with Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District Councils, the awards are open to all voluntary groups and organisations who work to make their community a better place to live.

Anyone can enter a voluntary group or organisation for the awards, and voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

The awards cover five categories: Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure and Education and Child/Youth Development.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says volunteers are central to hundreds of community groups right across the region.

'It's incredible just how much volunteers contribute to this community and how better off we are for their efforts,” says Stuart.

'From running social programmes to helping people keep fit to enhancing our heritage – volunteers are everywhere.”

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson agrees, saying with the number of volunteers in the region, we have a lot to be grateful for.

'It's important we do say ‘thanks' to those who do so much for the community, and the reality is we are all affected by volunteers in some way,” says Ross.

Trustpower community relations representative Jess Somerville is looking forward to seeing the community get on board to recognise more of these local unsung heroes.

She says voluntary groups are a 'formidable force of good” and everyday members benefit from their hard work.

'One of the best ways to demonstrate the importance of volunteering is to ensure volunteers' contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for,” says Jess.

'Now you have the chance to say ‘thank you' to these volunteers, who work hard to improve the community, just by filling out an entry form.

'It takes just a few minutes of your time to enter a group but it will make a real difference to the volunteers you are recognising.”

Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip for two representatives to the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards.

Last year's Tauranga Supreme Winner was Good Neighbour Aotearoa Trust. In the Western Bay it was Common Unity Productions.

Locals have until 5pm on Friday, July 3 to get entries in for this year's awards.

Entry Forms are available from council offices and service centres, or can be completed online at: www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards.

Entry Forms can also be received by calling Jess on: 0800 87 11 11.