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.
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Excellence in Cost Effective Impact
Hurunui District Water Safety Project (protozoa compliance)
Hurunui District Council
Hurunui District Council manages 17 water schemes with 26 water sources spread across a district of 8,641 km2. With around 14,000 residents, the district has the 6th lowest population density
Award Year: 2025

Excellence in Placemaking
It’s Flaxmere’s Time
Hastings District Council
It’s Flaxmere’s Time is both a revitalisation programme for Hastings District’s lowest socioeconomic community and a means for building trust and engagement between the people of Flaxmere and the Council.
Award Year: 2022

Excellence in Digital Local Government
Buzzly – Aotearoa’s digital youth engagement and insights platform
Auckland Council
Buzzly is Aotearoa’s digital youth engagement and insights platform, specifically designed to bridge the gap between young people and local government. Developed collaboratively by Auckland Council, Datacom, AWS, and Mission
Award Year: 2025

