We are delighted to announce that we have received a near record 43 entrants into the 2023 LGFA Taituarā Excellence Awards®. Though the 2018 record of 45 entrants stands for another year, our judges are getting to grips with the strong show of entries ready to announce the category winners, as well as outstanding local government kaimahi, at our Gala Dinner on 8 June 2023.
Our Chief Advisor Raymond Horan says that “in a year with cyclones, reforms, and three waters requests we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the take up” and that “it’s a testament to the resilience and can-do spirit of the sector that there are so many good news stories to tell”.
The full range of local government activity on show
“Modern local government is much more than a provider of utility services” Raymond says. “This year’s entries tell stories about programmes and projects as diverse as forecasting population and dwelling growth, to the community consultation around a new animal shelter, to a coastal management plan.”
The competition for the Minister of Local Government’s Award for Excellence in Council-Community Relations will be particularly intense with 10 entries. Raymond adds that knowledge of, and closeness to our local communities are particular strengths of the sector.
Partnerships an ever-popular category
Competition will also be tough for the Martin Jenkins Award for Collaborative Government Action. This category features the best stories of councils working with each other or with central government. There are eight entries in this category this year.
“This reinforces one of our key messages to successive governments – that no one sector or group has all the answers to the policy and service challenges of the 21st century. And it's something that stands local communities in good stead as we consider the future of local governance.”
All will be revealed on 8 June 2023
The winners of these awards, and the other five awards: Te Tohu Waka Hourua (the two canoes award for bicultural leadership – sponsored by Buddle Findlay); the Datacom Award for Digital Local Government; the Beca Award for Placemaking; the Capability Group Award for Organisation and People Development, and the GHD Award for Environmental Leadership will be announced at the Taituarā Gala Dinner on the night of 8 June 2023.
The awards are well entrenched in the local government calendar as the night the sector celebrates excellence in local government management. As well as the awards themselves, the winners of the NZ leg of the Australasian Management Challenge, the winner of the Emerging Leader of the Year, and four Overseas Manager Exchanges will be announced.
The 2023 entrants
Auckland Council – The Establishment of Onehunga Community Recycling Centre
Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Toi Moana Rates Collection Project
Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Toi Tangata
Central Hawke's Bay District Council – Jobs in Central Hawkes Bay
Central Hawke's Bay District Council – Ngā Ara Tipuna Ki Tamatea
Christchurch City Council – Christchurch City Information Network (CCIN) - Early Fire Detection Sensor Network
Greater Wellington Regional Council – Building Climate Resilience: partnering with mana whenua to achieve broader outcomes.
Greater Wellington Regional Council – Te Whariki Māori Outcomes Framework
Greater Wellington Regional Council – Whaitua Kāpiti
Hamilton City Council – Dwelling Projection Model
Hamilton City Council – Economic Development Showcase
Hamilton City Council – Hamilton.govt.nz Website redevelopment
Hastings District Council – A Place for Everyone
Hastings District Council – Engaging Our People
Hastings District Council – Te Pae Whira o Pā Harakeke
Hutt City Council – Takai Here Tāngata
Hutt City Council – Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective
Hutt City Council – Wellbeing Programme Enhancements
Kaipara District Council – Unsealed Road Network Centre of Excellence
Kaipara Moana Regeneration – Kaipara Moana Regeneration Project
Kāpiti Coast District Council – Lorna Irene Reserve Playground
Matamata-Piako District Council – Tell Tom
Nelson City Council – A City for All Ages
Nelson City Council – Community Carbon Footprint
Nelson City Council – Te Pa Harakeke Reserve
Ōtorohanga District Council - Kiwis Can Fly – Ōtorohanga District Council Organisational Realignment
Queenstown-Lakes District Council – Whare Mahuna Luggate Memorial Centre: Aotearoa New Zealand's first Passive House community hall
Tasman District Council – Elections Campaign Stand for Tasman!
Tasman District Council – Partnering to achieve a shared vision for Waimea Inlet
Tasman District Council – Walking and Cycling Strategy - from inception to work on the ground
Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council – Working together to plan for our communities’ futures
Taupō District Council – Taupō Animal Control Shelter
Taupō District Council – Taupō Customer Services Transformation
Taupō District Council – Taupō Town Centre Transformation
Tauranga City Council – Infrastructure Funding and Financing Transport System Plan Funding
Tauranga City Council – Joint Land Ownership: The Right Thing to Do
Thames-Coromandel District Council – Shoreline Management Pathways Project
Waikato District Council – Land Capacity Model
Waimakariri District Council – Regeneration Kaiapoi
Wellington City Council – Pōneke Promise
Wellington City Council – Tūpuki Ora
Whakatane District Council – Better Together Toitū te Kotahitanga
Whangārei District Council – Pūtahi Park