The LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards® are for programmes, projects, and approaches that demonstrate professional excellence in local government management. The awards are open to any council, or council-controlled organisation (CCO) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Apply for the 2023 Excellence Awards

Applications for the 2023 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards are now open. The closing date for entries is 24 March 2023, and for accompanying videos 21 April 2023. For detailed information please download the application information and entry form.

How to win an Excellence Award

We have recorded a webinar detailing How to win an Excellence Award that you can watch online. You need to be logged in to watch this recording. You can log in or sign up here.

Examples of previous winning entries

Potential entrants who would like to see examples of how to write a winning excellence award entry should look at the entry that received the highest score ever awarded in this competition – the 2019 winner Kia Puāwai from Auckland Council. Another fantastic example is that of 2022's winning entry – Far North District Council's Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project.

About the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards

The awards support a culture of success in the local government sector and encourage the sharing of good ideas and good practice amongst local authorities. Councils are encouraged to enter to impact the local government sector and to gain recognition of their excellent work.

Lessons from the winners, and many other entries will be used to inform development and redevelopment of guides and training for the sector.

Recent Supreme Award winners include:

2022 - Far North District Council, Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project
2021 - Western Bay of Plenty District Council, The Transfer of Panepane Purukau
2020 - Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Te Arawa Catfish Killas
2019 - Auckland Council, Kia Puāwai
2018 - Waikato Regional Council, Kawe Kōrero
2017 - Waimakariri District Council, Draft Waimakariri Residential Red Zone Recovery Plan
2016 - Hamilton City Council, Council Transforms A City Dump – the Hamilton Gardens Project
2015 - Selwyn District Council, Project Heli

2022 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards winners

Find out more about the winners of the 2022 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards or watch the full recording of this online event.

2021 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards winners

Find out more about the winners of the 2021 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards which were presented at a Gala Dinner at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Find out more

If you have any queries regarding these awards please contact raymond.horan@taituara.org.nz or phone 04 978 1283.