This category is sponsored by Morrison Low Advisory
This category highlights the power of partnership, this category recognises collaborations with government, community, or private organisations that deliver strong outcomes for communities. This may include cross-agency initiatives or innovative partnerships that address complex challenges. Entries should demonstrate the value of working together, with outcomes and insights that are transferable to other councils.
Animal Management Action Plan
Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s Animal Management Action Plan (Oct 2024) tackles rising roaming dogs, attacks, and shelter pressure through innovation, collaboration, and education. It focuses on engagement, compliance, shelter capacity, population control, and advocacy. Using data and partnerships, it balances enforcement with behaviour change. Results include fewer attacks, more registrations, increased desexing, improved rehoming, and a scalable model for other councils.
Watch entryAuckland Council’s Animal Management Action Plan (Oct 2024) tackles rising roaming dogs, attacks, and shelter pressure through innovation, collaboration, and education. It focuses on engagement, compliance, shelter capacity, population control, and advocacy. Using data and partnerships, it balances enforcement with behaviour change. Results include fewer attacks, more registrations, increased desexing, improved rehoming, and a scalable model for other councils.
BNZ Theatre
Hamilton City Council
In 2016, Hamilton faced losing its main theatre with no affordable solution. Momentum Waikato proposed leading a new regional theatre if Council capped funding at $25M. This unique partnership delivered a world-class venue despite Covid, funding limits, and heritage challenges. Opened in 2026, the BNZ Theatre has revitalised the CBD and strengthened the city’s cultural and river connections.
Watch entryIn 2016, Hamilton faced losing its main theatre with no affordable solution. Momentum Waikato proposed leading a new regional theatre if Council capped funding at $25M. This unique partnership delivered a world-class venue despite Covid, funding limits, and heritage challenges. Opened in 2026, the BNZ Theatre has revitalised the CBD and strengthened the city’s cultural and river connections.
Breaking the Silos: A National Collaboration Transforming Community Engagement
Hutt City Council
The Cross-Council Engagement Community of Practice (CCECoP), launched in 2022 by Hutt City Council, connects engagement practitioners across councils to reduce isolation and improve collaboration. Growing from 33 to 150+ members, it enables shared tools, learning, and expertise. This collective approach strengthens engagement quality, reduces duplication, and supports more inclusive community participation in local decision-making.
Watch entryThe Cross-Council Engagement Community of Practice (CCECoP), launched in 2022 by Hutt City Council, connects engagement practitioners across councils to reduce isolation and improve collaboration. Growing from 33 to 150+ members, it enables shared tools, learning, and expertise. This collective approach strengthens engagement quality, reduces duplication, and supports more inclusive community participation in local decision-making.
Community Emergency Water Tanks
Porirua City Council
Porirua’s Community Emergency Water Tank (CEWT) programme ensures residents have safe drinking water during emergencies, supplying three litres per person daily for seven days. Developed to replace outdated tanks, it now forms a modern, strategic network. Strong collaboration and community involvement drive the programme, building local resilience. Recognised as best practice, it offers a scalable model for emergency preparedness.
Watch entryPorirua’s Community Emergency Water Tank (CEWT) programme ensures residents have safe drinking water during emergencies, supplying three litres per person daily for seven days. Developed to replace outdated tanks, it now forms a modern, strategic network. Strong collaboration and community involvement drive the programme, building local resilience. Recognised as best practice, it offers a scalable model for emergency preparedness.
Oroko Rise - East Urban Lands
Taupō District Council
Taupō District Council partnered with developers and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust to deliver Oroko Rise, an innovative affordable housing project. Combining private expertise, iwi leadership, and council planning, it increases supply without ratepayer subsidy. Launched in 2025 with strong demand, it provides a scalable model showing how collaboration can deliver sustainable, community-focused housing solutions.
Watch entryTaupō District Council partnered with developers and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust to deliver Oroko Rise, an innovative affordable housing project. Combining private expertise, iwi leadership, and council planning, it increases supply without ratepayer subsidy. Launched in 2025 with strong demand, it provides a scalable model showing how collaboration can deliver sustainable, community-focused housing solutions.
Eden Hore Central Otago (EHCO):
A Collaborative Couture Legacy
Central Otago District Council
Eden Hore Central Otago is a collaborative project led by Central Otago District Council to preserve and showcase a unique high-fashion collection. Partnering with Te Papa and others, it reimagines a traditional museum model through storytelling and innovative experiences. Blending fashion, rural heritage, and landscape, it has transformed a hidden collection into a nationally significant cultural attraction.
Watch entryEden Hore Central Otago is a collaborative project led by Central Otago District Council to preserve and showcase a unique high-fashion collection. Partnering with Te Papa and others, it reimagines a traditional museum model through storytelling and innovative experiences. Blending fashion, rural heritage, and landscape, it has transformed a hidden collection into a nationally significant cultural attraction.
Growing Resilience Tairāwhiti Transition Advisory Group
Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti - Gisborne District Council
Gisborne District Council led a cross-sector collaboration to address severe erosion in Tairāwhiti, highlighted by recent cyclones. The Transition Advisory Group united landowners, iwi, industry, and experts to develop practical solutions. Outputs include a land transition guide and programme business case, demonstrating how science, mātauranga, and collaboration can tackle complex land-use challenges.
Watch entryGisborne District Council led a cross-sector collaboration to address severe erosion in Tairāwhiti, highlighted by recent cyclones. The Transition Advisory Group united landowners, iwi, industry, and experts to develop practical solutions. Outputs include a land transition guide and programme business case, demonstrating how science, mātauranga, and collaboration can tackle complex land-use challenges.
Hood Aerodrome Upgrades
Masterton District Council
Hood Aerodrome’s upgrade, supported by Kānoa and Masterton District Council, achieved CAA certification in 2025, boosting safety and aligning with international standards. Improvements include runway expansion, lighting, security, and infrastructure for new hangars. The project enhances aviation capability, attracts operators, creates jobs, and supports regional economic growth and future development.
Watch entryHood Aerodrome’s upgrade, supported by Kānoa and Masterton District Council, achieved CAA certification in 2025, boosting safety and aligning with international standards. Improvements include runway expansion, lighting, security, and infrastructure for new hangars. The project enhances aviation capability, attracts operators, creates jobs, and supports regional economic growth and future development.
Kai Map
Hamilton City Council
The Hamilton Kai Map connects residents to free and low-cost food through a co-designed, community-led platform. Developed with over 40 organisations, it reduces isolation and improves access to support. Council enabled collaboration rather than leading, creating a trusted, user-friendly resource that strengthens community networks and helps address growing food insecurity.
Watch entryThe Hamilton Kai Map connects residents to free and low-cost food through a co-designed, community-led platform. Developed with over 40 organisations, it reduces isolation and improves access to support. Council enabled collaboration rather than leading, creating a trusted, user-friendly resource that strengthens community networks and helps address growing food insecurity.
Land Stability Project
Tararua District Council
Tararua Alliance and partners are improving rural roading resilience through a collaborative project addressing erosion near roads. By aligning funding across agencies, they support landowners to implement erosion-control planting. The initiative reduces storm damage impacts, enhances infrastructure resilience, and delivers environmental, employment, and community benefits through cross-sector collaboration.
Watch entryTararua Alliance and partners are improving rural roading resilience through a collaborative project addressing erosion near roads. By aligning funding across agencies, they support landowners to implement erosion-control planting. The initiative reduces storm damage impacts, enhances infrastructure resilience, and delivers environmental, employment, and community benefits through cross-sector collaboration.
Open Country Community Stadium Matamata
Matamata-Piako District Council
Te Whare Hui Ora is a community-led indoor stadium in Matamata, delivered through strong partnerships between council, iwi, education, and community groups. Built on school land with shared governance, it maximises use and investment. The facility supports sport, wellbeing, and connection, creating a flexible space that strengthens community ties and benefits all ages.
Watch entryTe Whare Hui Ora is a community-led indoor stadium in Matamata, delivered through strong partnerships between council, iwi, education, and community groups. Built on school land with shared governance, it maximises use and investment. The facility supports sport, wellbeing, and connection, creating a flexible space that strengthens community ties and benefits all ages.
Taking Care of Business
Masterton District Council
Masterton District Council’s ‘Taking Care of Business’ programme streamlines how new businesses navigate council processes. By bringing departments together, it reduces silos, clarifies requirements, and provides a clear, supportive pathway. The approach improves efficiency, shortens timelines, and enhances the experience for business owners, making Masterton more attractive for business growth.
Watch entryMasterton District Council’s ‘Taking Care of Business’ programme streamlines how new businesses navigate council processes. By bringing departments together, it reduces silos, clarifies requirements, and provides a clear, supportive pathway. The approach improves efficiency, shortens timelines, and enhances the experience for business owners, making Masterton more attractive for business growth.
Taumarunui Hapori Hauora Day
Ruapehu District Council
Hapori Hauora Day is a community-led initiative bringing essential health and social services directly to Taumarunui whānau. Through strong collaboration across agencies, it removes barriers like travel and wait times, even delivering same-day surgeries. The culturally grounded approach improves access, strengthens trust, and demonstrates a powerful model of integrated, community-focused wellbeing support.
Watch entryHapori Hauora Day is a community-led initiative bringing essential health and social services directly to Taumarunui whānau. Through strong collaboration across agencies, it removes barriers like travel and wait times, even delivering same-day surgeries. The culturally grounded approach improves access, strengthens trust, and demonstrates a powerful model of integrated, community-focused wellbeing support.
