Auckland Transport analysed 215 landslides from 2023 storms, showing prevention is far more cost effective than recovery. Preventative works cost as little as 15–30% of recovery, aligning with global findings. AT has shifted towards resilience-focused design, with modelling showing $670M in prevention could save $2.2–$4.4B over 10 years. A 30-year resilience programme now guides future planning and investment.
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Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Supreme Award
Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana
Waikato District Council
Waikato Regional Council’s Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana Strategy improves safe fish passage through flood infrastructure, especially pump stations that harm native tuna. Based on six years of research with
Award Year: 2026

Excellence in Organisation and People Development
Great Workplaces
Far North District Council
This initiative emerged from a staff survey taken during the first 2020 COVID-19 lockdown where 83 per cent of staff reported their productivity was the same or better working at
Award Year: 2022

Excellence in Digital Local Government
Christchurch City Information Network (CCIN) – Early Fire Detection Sensor Network
Christchurch City Council
This is a highly successful pilot project of a sensor network as a means for detecting fires in the Waitākiri / Bottle Lake Forest Park. The network sends warnings to
Award Year: 2023

