What does this event cover
Join us for a webinar showcasing the winner of the 2026 Datascape Award for Excellence in Digital Local Government, recognising innovative use of technology to improve outcomes for communities.
The session begins with Datascape’s Georgiana Johnson and Angela Millward, who will explore emerging trends in digital local government and the governance, leadership and technology decisions helping councils navigate a rapidly changing environment. Building on themes from our July webinar, they’ll set the context for what digital excellence looks like today.
We’ll then hear directly from this year’s award winner, Tairāwhiti Gisborne District Council, about its award-winning project, Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal.
Following Cyclone Gabrielle, the council developed an AI-assisted approach to managing large woody debris using aerial and drone imagery alongside a Multi-Criteria Assessment framework. The system enabled the council to identify and prioritise risk, target resources where they would have the greatest impact, and accelerate recovery efforts. More than 600,000m³ of debris has since been removed from rivers and beaches, helping protect critical infrastructure, transport routes, water supplies, farmland and coastal communities.
Whether you’re leading digital transformation, exploring AI, or looking for practical examples of innovation delivering real community outcomes, this webinar will provide valuable insights and inspiration you can take back to your own organisation.
You’ll learn:
- What digital excellence looks like in a local government context.
- How AI and geospatial technology supported recovery and decision-making following Cyclone Gabrielle.
- The governance and leadership approaches that enabled innovation.
- Practical ideas and lessons that can be adapted within your own council.
Who should attend?
This is a webinar for anyone interested in using technology to support good local government but especially those interested in community engagement, AI as a tool to garner business efficiencies, or AI to promote public safety.
Attendance from outside the local government sector is welcomed.
Programme overview
With support from
Your facilitators and guest speakers
Angela Millward
Angela Millward is the Product Design Lead for Datascape at Datacom, where she leads the design of systems that help councils work smarter — from service delivery through to internal operations.
With a background spanning software development, UX, and AI strategy, Angela brings a rare combination of technical depth and human-centred design thinking to local government technology. Her recent work focuses on embedding AI into council platforms in ways that are practical, ethical, and governed — shifting staff from repetitive tasks to higher-value decision-making roles. In 2025, she was recognised with an ARN Emerging Technology Award for her leadership in AI transformation.
