Environmental leadership is once again in focus in the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards, with eight entries received in the GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership.
Sponsored by GHD, the category recognises initiatives that deliver real environmental benefits and demonstrate leadership in sustainability and responsible environmental management.
This year’s entries reflect the breadth of environmental challenges facing local government, and the diverse ways councils are responding, from waste reduction and freshwater protection to coastal resilience and data-driven urban planning.
Entries come from councils of all sizes, from Auckland through to Gore, highlighting that environmental leadership is a priority across the sector.
Waste reduction features strongly, with Auckland Council’s removal of single-use coffee cups across corporate offices eliminating more than 300,000 cups annually, while Waitaki District Council’s Waste Free Waitaki programme combines battery recycling and behaviour change to reduce environmental harm.
Freshwater and ecosystem protection is another key theme. Waikato Regional Council’s Pathways to the Sea initiative improves fish passage through infrastructure, achieving up to 100 percent safe passage in trials, while Gore District Council’s work to protect the Mataura River demonstrates innovative approaches to wastewater management.
Climate resilience and restoration also feature prominently. Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Recloaking Papatūānuku programme has planted more than 950,000 native trees, while Hutt City Council’s Tupua Horo Nuku project integrates coastal protection with ecological restoration and active transport.
Innovation is evident in Hamilton City Council’s Tree Canopy Model, which uses advanced data to guide urban planning and climate resilience, and Gisborne District Council’s work to strengthen forestry consenting processes in response to erosion and land-use challenges.
The category has a strong track record at the Awards, producing the last two Supreme Award winners: Waiaroha in Hastings and Predator Free Wellington.
The 2026 entries are:
- Project to Remove Single Use Coffee Cups from our Corporate Cafes – Auckland Council
- Protecting the Mataura River – Gore District Council
- Recloaking Papatūānuku – Greater Wellington Regional Council
- Tree Canopy Model – Hamilton City Council
- Tupua Horo Nuku – Hutt City Council
- Leading forestry consenting processes in Aotearoa – Gisborne District Council
- Pathways to the Sea – Waikato Regional Council
- Waste Free Waitaki – Waitaki District Council
Together, these entries highlight the impact and importance of environmental leadership across the sector. They show how councils are leading the way in protecting and enhancing the environment, delivering measurable outcomes and approaches that can be adopted across Aotearoa.
Members’ Choice Award
Taituarā members have the opportunity to recognise the initiatives making the biggest impact through the Members’ Choice Award. The with the top-voted projects progressing to a final round of voting across all categories.
View the entries for the GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership. Voting for this category is open from 13 – 17 April.
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. Tickets are available to purchase now.
