Winner of:
Excellence in Organisation and People Development Award

 Whangārei’s Organisational Strategy

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 managers across the organisation. 

The Judges said: The success of any organisational strategy project lies in embedding it in the day-to-day operation of councils. Getting the second and third tier managers to drive strategy development is an innovative means of generating buy-in at managerial level. We were also struck that the cross-departmental whanau groups have ‘stuck’ after that strategy went live. We look forward to hearing more of the progress of this initiative in coming years. 

See more award winning entries

Excellence in Māori-Council Partnerships - Te Tohu Waka Hourua (the Double Canoe)

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board – Ko te Pūkakī: 2040

Auckland Council
The Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board is a co-governance partnership with Auckland Council, jointly managing reserve whenua. With equal representation, it enables shared decision-making, resourcing, and accountability. Through iwi-led delivery,
Award Year: 2026
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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
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Excellence in Collaborating for Results

East Urban Lands – Oroko Rise

Taupō District Council
Taupō District Council partnered with developers and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust to deliver Oroko Rise, an innovative affordable housing project. Combining private expertise, iwi leadership, and council planning, it increases supply
Award Year: 2026
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