This year’s Beca Award for Excellence in Placemaking, part of the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards®, showcases projects transforming how communities connect, celebrate local identity, and enjoy public spaces.
Sponsored by Beca, the award recognises initiatives that create vibrant, inclusive places, support local economies, and enhance community wellbeing. This year, there are seven entries which showcase the variety of ways council initiatives can enhance belonging in a community.
Three of the entries focus on revitalising town centres in Naenae, Lower Hutt, Hāwera CBD, and Mangawhai. Each project reflects how thoughtful design, strong partnerships, and community engagement can transform public spaces into thriving hubs for people and local businesses.
Other entries highlight innovative approaches to placemaking beyond urban redevelopment including playgrounds, social housing and cultural landmarks. The Horowhenua entry focuses on how refugees from Colombia and Venezuela have been supported into the community – demonstrating that placemaking can be about people and belonging as much as it is about infrastructure.
Four of this year’s projects were supported by government stimulus funding, including the “shovel ready” fund, demonstrating how targeted investment can catalyse meaningful community outcomes. Many of the projects also reflect the resilience of local government teams in overcoming the disruption caused by COVID-19, including supply chain delays, contractor shortages, and community challenges.
Raymond Horan, Taituarā Chief Advisor says, “These entries show that placemaking isn’t just about creating spaces – it’s about creating connections, identity, and opportunity.”
From revitalised town centres to culturally significant landmarks and community-focused housing, this year’s entries illustrate the many ways councils are shaping places that people love to live in, visit, and experience.
2026 Entries
- A Bridge Across Time Te Ikaroa a Rauru – Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council
- Building a Sense of Place for Former Refugee Whānau in Horowhenua – Horowhenua District Council
- Destination Kāwaroa – New Plymouth District Council
- Papaioea Place: Where social housing becomes community – Palmerston North City Council
- Te Ramanui o Ruapūtahanga – South Taranaki District Council
- Whakatupu Ngaengae – Hutt City Council
- Wood Street and surrounds revitalisation and stormwater project – Kaipara District Council
Members’ choice
Taituarā members have the opportunity to recognise the initiatives making the biggest impact through the Members’ Choice Award. Voting for this category is open from 23–27 March. The with the top-voted projects progressing to a final round of voting across all categories.
View the entries for The Beca Award for Excellence in Placemaking and vote for your favourite now.
Winners of the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards® will be announced at the Awards Dinner on 18 June in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
