What does this event cover
Many councils have started exploring AI through tools like Microsoft Copilot, productivity assistants, and small-scale automation projects. This webinar will help you take the next step by turning experimentation into measurable outcomes.
You’ll gain practical tools to help you assess where AI can deliver the greatest value for your council, identify opportunities worth investing in, and avoid spending time and resources on initiatives that won’t deliver meaningful benefits.
Delivered by PwC, this practical session will help you:
- Understand what meaningful AI value looks like in a local government context.
- Measure outcomes beyond simple usage or activity metrics.
- Prioritise AI opportunities based on value, risk, feasibility, and organisational readiness.
- Build simple frameworks to track benefits and demonstrate return on investment.
- Strengthen governance and decision-making without creating unnecessary barriers to innovation.
The session is practical and grounded in the realities councils face every day, including limited resources, growing service expectations, privacy and information management, procurement, workforce capability, and maintaining public trust.
Programme overview
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Philip Shackleton
Philip joined Taituarā in September 2025, as Principal Advisor, Sector Readiness.
He brings over 20 years of experience, and relationships in local government and the public sector.
His career includes 10 years in senior roles with councils and more recently 7 years as Principal Policy Advisor with Local Government New Zealand. He has most recently worked in leadership roles at Waka Kotahi and at EECA where he was Development Lead in the Standards and Regulations Team. Philip’s expertise includes policy development, regulatory analysis, stakeholder management, and project and programme delivery.
In his role as Principal Advisor, Sector Readiness, Philip is committed to supporting the Sector Readiness Team develop tools and resources that help the sector prepare for and successfully implement new legislation and policies.
