Excellence Awards categories

This Award recognises programmes or projects that have delivered outstanding results through the smart use of digital or technological solutions. 

This category is about innovation through digital solutions that make a real difference for communities . For example, – whether that’s: 

• transforming or redesigning a service or business process
• using technology to strengthen community participation in the democratic process
• building or applying a stronger evidence base to inform better outcomes 

At its heart, this award celebrates the power of digital to drive positive change — and encourages approaches that other councils could adopt. Transferability and sector impact are key. 

This Award recognises programmes, projects, or initiatives that deliver exceptional outcomes by actively involving and empowering communities. 

This category highlights efforts that strengthen connections between councils and the people they serve, whether through: 

• innovative engagement approaches that inform decision-making 

• initiatives that enable communities to take meaningful action 

• programmes that go beyond statutory requirements to foster genuine participation 

Entries should showcase methods that could be adopted or adapted by other local authorities, demonstrating both impact and practical value for the wider sector. 

This Award recognises programmes or projects that have achieved outstanding outcomes through partnerships and collaboration. 

This category is about working together to deliver real benefits for communities, by:  

• joining forces with other local authorities, government agencies, or the private and community sectors 

• developing innovative solutions that leverage the strengths of multiple partners 

• delivering results that would not be possible without collaboration 

This award celebrates approaches that produce meaningful impact and can be adapted or applied by other councils, showcasing the value of working together to achieve results. 

This Award recognises programmes or projects that create a vibrant, thriving communities. While many of the entries in this category are constructed projects – it takes more than a building to create a sense of place.    

This category recognises programmes or projects that:  

• shape or create a vibrant local economy,  

• foster a thriving local culture, 

• or promote the achievement of a positive social outcome.  

Entries must show tangible, meaningful results. Successful projects also demonstrate transferability, providing inspiration and practical approaches that other councils can adopt to enhance their own communities. 

This Award recognises programmes, projects or initiatives that show a demonstrable and ongoing commitment to working in partnership with Māori.  

This category highlights initiatives that make a real difference through: 

• embedding Te Ao Māori in council decision-making and practice 

• applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in meaningful, practical ways 

• fostering ongoing, genuine and collaborative relationships that benefit communities 

Entries may come from any area of local government activity but must be able to clearly illustrate the application of Te Ao Māori and a deep understanding and application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.   

Entries should showcase approaches that can inspire or be adapted by other local authorities, demonstrating how authentic partnerships with Māori can deliver positive, lasting outcomes. 

This Award recognises programmes or projects that deliver real, positive outcomes for the environment. 

This category is about initiatives that make a meaningful difference by: 

• protecting or restoring natural resources 

• reducing environmental impacts in local communities 

• demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainability 

Entries should showcase innovative approaches that not only create amore sustainable future, but are also transferable to other local authorities, inspiring widespread positive change across the country.   

This Award recognises programmes or projects that deliver significant results while reducing costs – recognising councils that have been able to deliver more with less.   

This category celebrates initiatives that achieve meaningful outcomes efficiently, for example by: 

• improving services or processes at lower cost 

• maximising impact with smart use of resources 

• delivering better value for communities without compromising quality 

Entries must demonstrate both tangible cost savings and clear achievement of the intended outcome, offering approaches that other councils could adopt to achieve similar impact.