The LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards® recognise excellence in local government management across a range of programmes and projects.
Congratulations to the 2026 Excellence Awards Winners!
The 2026 Excellence Awards event was held on Thursday 18 June at Tākina in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
Celebrating our mahi
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 share their sucesses with the sector and gain recognition of their excellent work.
View past winnersDiscover the impact of our previous Awards
The Awards are for programmes, projects, and approaches that demonstrate professional excellence in local government management. Entries are open to any council, or council-controlled organisation (CCO) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
2026 Entries
69
From across 36 Councils and 1 CCO - our highest number ever!
Event attendees
360
Celebrated excellence in local governement and cheered on their peers.
Votes for Member's Choice
562
Won by Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti - Gisborne District Council for their project 'Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal'
Thank you to our 2026 category sponsors
Get involved today
We’ve put together a few ways you can be involved in the Excellence Awards either as a sponsor or tips on making your entry the best it can be.
Become a Sponsor
Join us in recognizing excellence! Become a sponsor for an award and showcase your commitment to local government achievements.
Get in touch
What you need to know to enter the Awards
Read about the process, categories, eligibility criteria, and requirements for the Excellence Awards + get tips on how to put together a winning entry.
Entering the Excellence Awards