Waikato Regional Council’s Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana Strategy improves safe fish passage through flood infrastructure, especially pump stations that harm native tuna. Based on six years of research with 14 partners, it tested fish-friendly technologies achieving up to 100% safe passage. With strong iwi partnership, the strategy embeds ecological outcomes into planning, is now business-as-usual, and can be applied nationally to support freshwater restoration.
Entry credits:
Waikato District Council
Thankyou to our award sponsor:
GHD
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Excellence in Placemaking
Rotorua Lakefront Redevelopment – creating a worldclass lakefront experience
Rotorua Lakes Council
Rotorua has a rich history as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s key tourism destinations, a title that our community has been proud to hold for many generations. Our unique natural
Award Year: 2024
Excellence in Cost-Effectiveness
Climate Resilience versus Recovery Costs for Transport Networks
Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport analysed 215 landslides from 2023 storms, showing prevention is far more cost effective than recovery. Preventative works cost as little as 15–30% of recovery, aligning with global findings.
Award Year: 2026
Excellence in Organisation and People Development
Whangārei’s Organisational Strategy
Whangārei District Council
The Whangārei Organisational Strategy is a ground-up development to build a more inclusive, cohesive and effective organisation. The strategy had been driven (somewhat unusually) by the second and third tier
Award Year: 2021
