Business. Scoop » Local Government Excellence Recognised Across Aotearoa
Press Release – TaituaraThe awards ceremony was held last night, 18 June 2026, at Tkina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with a record turnout of over 360 attendees. Waikato Regional Council has taken out the. . .
Press Release – TaituaraThe awards ceremony was held last night, 18 June 2026, at Tkina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with a record turnout of over 360 attendees. Waikato Regional Council has taken out the LGFA Taituarā Supreme Award, at the 2026 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards. The awards ceremony was held last night, 18 June 2026, at Tākina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with a record turnout of over 360 attendees. Waikato received the award for its Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana, a project that demonstrates how innovation, science, mātauranga Māori, partnership and long-term thinking can be brought together to solve complex environmental challenges and deliver lasting benefits for communities and the environment. Judges said the project stood out for its national and international relevance. “The high level of national and international interest in this project makes this one of the year’s most transferable entries. ”What began as a challenge unique to Waikato has evolved into a nationally recognised framework that is influencing infrastructure design, informing freshwater management, and supporting councils across Aotearoa to better protect native species and waterways. Pathways to the Sea also won the GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership. The LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards recognise outstanding achievement, innovation and leadership across New Zealand local government. This year’s awards celebrated excellence across collaboration, community engagement, digital innovation, environmental leadership, placemaking, Māori–council partnerships and cost-effectiveness. The 2026 Excellence Award category winners are:Morrison Low Advisory Award for Excellence in Collaborating for ResultsTaupō District Council for East Urban Lands – Oroko RiseEagle Technology Award for Excellence in Community EngagementNorthland Regional Council for Whirinaki Managed RetreatCo-Lab Award for Excellence in Cost-EffectivenessAuckland Transport for Climate Resilience versus Recovery Costs for Transport NetworksDatascape Award for Excellence in Digital Local GovernmentTe Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council for Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal. This project also received theThe Taituarā Members’ Choice Award, voted on by membersGHD Award for Excellence in Environmental LeadershipWaikato Regional Council for Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana. This project also received the LGFA Taituarā Supreme AwardBeca Award for Excellence in PlacemakingNew Plymouth District Council for Destination KāwaroaTe Tohu Waka Hourua – Buddle Findlay Award for Excellence in Māori–Council PartnershipsTe Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland Council for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board – Ko Te Pūkākī: 2040The following awards and opportunities were also announced on the night:The Sheffield Emerging Leader of the Year Award was presented to:Kaanihi Butler-Hare, Temuaki Māori – Chief Māori Officer at Hutt City CouncilThe New Zealand leg of the Australasian Management Challenge was won by:“Tactically Tasman” from Tasman District Council. The team will represent New Zealand at the Australasian finalsFive local government professionals were selected for international management exchanges:Auriole Ruka, Northland Regional Council – Hononga Indigenous Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, Australia –Adele Henderson, Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Civic Financial Services Overseas Manager Exchange to the United StatesKataraina O’Brien, Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Overseas Manager Exchange to British Columbia, CanadaAnita Reedy-Holthausen, Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to New South Wales, AustraliaChallen Wilson, Auckland Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, AustraliaAbout the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence AwardsTheLGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awardsshowcase and celebrate outstanding programmes, projects, partnerships and initiatives from across New Zealand’s local government sector. The awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership that deliver positive outcomes for communities and create learnings that can be shared across the sector. The awards are hosted annually by Taituarā. Content Sourced fromscoop. co. nzOriginal url