Waikato Regional Council takes Buddle Findlay Award for Bicultural Leadership
A Waikato Regional Council landmark transfer of services project has been awarded the Buddle Findlay Award for Bicultural Leadership as part of the 2021 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards, presented at a Gala Dinner event in Wellington.
The project, Transfer of Functions to an Iwi Authority under s33 RMA, saw the Council transfer water quality monitoring functions to the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, the first transfer of its kind since the Resource Management Act was introduced in 1991.
The judges commended the Council and Tūwharetoa for their leadership in overcoming the practical barriers to transfers for the out of the box thinking and for the huge investment of mutual respect and trust.
Taituarā Chief Executive, Karen Thomas, congratulated Waikato Regional Council for this landmark achievement, and said this is a really important initiative that other local authorities can learn from.
She also thanked Buddle Findlay for supporting this Award.
For further information, please see contact Ann Thomson on 027294385.