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 Results
Taupō District Council for East Urban Lands – Oroko Rise – Read more Watch entry video - Eagle Technology Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Northland Regional Council for Whirinaki Managed Retreat – Read more Watch entry video - Co-Lab Award for Excellence in Cost-Effectiveness
Auckland Transport for Climate Resilience versus Recovery Costs for Transport Networks – Read more Watch entry video - Datascape Award for Excellence in Digital Local Government
Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council for Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal. This project also received the The Taituarā Members’ Choice Award, voted on by members – Read more Watch entry video - GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Waikato Regional Council for Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana. This project also received the LGFA Taituarā Supreme Award – Read more Watch entry video - Beca Award for Excellence in Placemaking
New Plymouth District Council for Destination Kāwaroa – Read more Watch entry video - Te Tohu Waka Hourua – Buddle Findlay Award for Excellence in Māori–Council Partnerships
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland Council for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board – Ko Te Pūkākī: 2040 – Read more Watch entry video
The following awards and opportunities were also announced on the night:
- The Sheffield Emerging Leader of the Year Award was presented to:
Kaanihi Butler-Hare, Tumuaki Māori – Chief Māori Officer at Hutt City Council – Read more - The 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 finals – Read more
Five local government professionals were selected for international management exchanges:
- Auriole Ruka, Northland Regional Council – Hononga Indigenous Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, Australia – Read more
- Adele Henderson, Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Civic Financial Services Overseas Manager Exchange to the United States – Read more
- Kataraina O’Brien, Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Overseas Manager Exchange to British Columbia, Canada – Read more
- Anita Reedy-Holthausen, Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to New South Wales, Australia – Read more
- Challen Wilson, Auckland Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, Australia – Read more
About the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards
The LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards showcase 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.
Photo highlights from the night can be found here.
For further information, please contact Sophie Prebble | Manager, Marketing and Communications Sophie.prebble@taituara.org.nz
