Toitū te Kotahitanga is Whakatāne District Council’s journey of transformation of its organisational culture and leadership capability. This led to staff developing and owning their vision and values and working towards being ‘better together’.

The judges said: We saw five organisational culture programmes this year. Toitū te Kotahitanga stood out not only for the improvements in staff engagement, but that there was a strong linkage to the council’s strategic objectives.

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Excellence in Collaborating for Results

Stronger Together Councils’ buy-out puts people at heart

Hastings District Council

Helping flood-devastated homeowners get their lives back on track following Cyclone Gabrielle drove the Hastings and Napier Voluntary Buy-out Programme, a pioneering model for disaster recovery in New Zealand. The

Award Year: 2025

Excellence in Placemaking

Hastings District Council’s Place Based Housing Solution

Hastings District Council

In five years, the waitlist for social housing in Hastings has increased from 57 people to approximately 640. The Place Based Housing Solution is the result of a conversation between

Award Year: 2021

Excellence in Organisation and People Development

Whangarei District Council’s Organisation Strategy

Whangārei District Council

Whangarei District Council embarked on a radical journey of transformation led from the ground up to build a more inclusive, cohesive and effective organisation. Powered by the collective genius, passion,