This year, we received 40 entries in the competition – including all but one of the councils that prepared a three-year plan and Consultation Document (CD). The average score moved upwards slightly to 69 percent, but sadly there is more of a ‘tail’ in scores this year with two councils scoring below 50. This year we can also report a new record-high winning score.
This has been probably the most challenging and uncertain environment of the eight LTP cycles to date. The sudden shifts in policy direction, a tightening in civil construction markets, shortages of key skills all played a role in documents that were longer and possibly more complex than has previously been the case.
The average page length for CDs in our set of entrants was some 48 pages. As we head to tomorrow’s panel we should perhaps all reflect if a document that is this length truly works and whether some loosening of the chain is necessary.
In launching the competition this year I was surprised to receive feedback that the criteria were biased in favour of the metros and the regions and any other council that has a big budget to throw at their LTP.
A look at our list of finalists and, indeed, a look at our previous winners shows no such bias exists. Our finalists this year included one of the smaller metro councils, a mid-sized regional council and (count them) six of the Heartland Group of which Gisborne is biggest.
Taituarā has always said that the key determinants of a successful CD are clarity of thought and message, and taking a ‘what can we learn’ mindset to the design of the CD. Creativity helps – but it is possible to be too creative, too design focused and lose the reader in a mass of colour
Our panel of judges has made two formal awards – I’ll get to those in a moment. Before I do the judging panel also wanted to recognise two of the other finalists.
The first of those the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and its CD Have Your Say Hawke’s Bay. As I’m sure those of you who saw the list will have figured out this was the leading CD from the regional sector entrants.
We made a conscious decision to open the competition to three year plan CDs – being based on many of the same disciplines of an LTP CD. Hawke’s Bay Region’s was one of those. Our panel of judges also wanted us to recognise the Gisborne District Council CD Healing Our Region for Our Future as being the best of the three year plan CDs
And so to the formal part of the presentation.
The judges have awarded a highly commended citation to Ashburton District Council, Five for our Future. This is one of the longer of our finalists but is a particularly easy and engaging read. The issues are presented clearly, succinctly and consistently. This CD shows the role that good design plays in helping readers step through the document.
An impressive runner-up. But there can be only one winner.
Our judges said that the winning CD was the most clearly and engagingly presented of this year’s field of entries. The issues for consultation have been clearly and succinctly presented with a great use of colour and infographics throughout. The council has been able to successfully balance the presenting what the council has done and is doing, with the issues and matters for decision. Our judges also considered this to be one of the better CDs for using matters from the infrastructure strategy as framing for the rest.
Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 2024 CD Competition, with a new record score is Hutt City Council’s Whaowhia Te Pae Tawhiti: Help Us Take the Next Steps.
Looking ahead, Taituarā remains committed to fostering excellence and encouraging councils across New Zealand to continue innovating and improving their community documents. Congratulations again to all of this year’s participants for their hard work and dedication to serving their communities.
