Early bird registrations open October 2025 – closing 19 December 2025
Save $1,000 per team entry if you register early!
Registrations for the latest Management Challenge are open
Register NowStep up to the challenge, develop leaders, build your team, and showcase your council’s best. This is your chance to showcase your leadership, and represent Aotearoa New Zealand on the international stage.
Challenge yourself in 2026
The Taituarā Management Challenge is Australasia’s premier local government team development program, delivered in partnership with LG Professionals Australia. It’s a unique, practical learning experience that brings together council professionals to tackle real-world challenges faced in local government – in a fast-paced, fun, and supportive environment.
In 2026, the Challenge expands to two regional events:
- North Island Challenge – 23–24 April 2025
- South Island Challenge – 21–22 April 2025
Each event follows the same format, with both winning teams going on to represent Aotearoa New Zealand in the Australasian Grand Final later in the year.
Breaking down silos
Teams work across departments and roles, building stronger connections and shared understanding between different areas of council.
Building staff confidence
Participants step outside their usual comfort zones, developing the confidence to lead, communicate, and make decisions under pressure.
Improving organisational culture
The challenge inspires collaboration, creativity, and a renewed sense of purpose that strengthens your team and workplace culture.
What's involved?
The challenge is more than just a one-day event – it’s an unparalleled professional development experience. Each team, made up of up to six members plus a mentor, works together before the challenge and on the day to put their skills to the test.
1. A pre-challenge task
Released prior to challenge day, testing strategic thinking and preparation.
2. Challenge day
A one-day event filled with live tasks that mirror real-world issues faced by councils. Think of it like a Local Government ‘escape room’. Some tasks are written, some are role-plays, some involve presentations or video creation – all of them require creativity, teamwork, and time management under pressure.
3. Post-event reflection
Teams receive constructive feedback on their performance to support continued learning and development.
Why take part?
- Build leadership and collaboration – strengthen problem-solving, communication, and teamwork under pressure.
- Enhance council capability – develop future leaders through hands-on experience.
- Connect across the sector – engage with peers and share perspectives across New Zealand.
- Benchmark your council – test your team’s thinking against others in a supportive, competitive setting.
Who should enter?
The challenge is for anyone working in local government – from aspiring leaders to seasoned professionals. Teams are often cross-departmental, providing opportunities to collaborate beyond usual roles and silos.
Each team has five or six members plus a mentor from across their council. For smaller councils, there’s also the option to combine forces with a neighbouring council to form a joint team.
The Prize
The winners of the New Zealand leg will represent Aotearoa at the Australasian Grand Final, competing against teams from across Australia – an incredible opportunity to showcase leadership on the international stage.
Teams will cover their own travel costs to their challenge venue, but Taituarā will contribute towards costs for each participating team member on the winning teams to support their Trans-Tasman adventure.
Past participants say
"I’d encourage anyone to come, it’s a great professional development opportunity. You get to meet other council kaimahi who might do the same stuff as you, and you can bounce off each other in terms of initiatives that have worked or haven’t worked. So, do it, do it for your council, do it for your rohe, and see you at next year’s challenge!"
Lillian Ward
Gisborne District Council
"It’s been really really fun! Not only getting to know my own team but to spend time alongside other teams – and you know that’s really what Council mahi is about – engagement, connection – all those wonderful things. That has been the highlight for me."
Dean Reedy-Sinnott
Hutt City Council
Key dates
Registration Information
A team is a group of 5 or 6 members, plus one mentor. Only one team member needs to apply.
You do not need to be a Taituarā member to apply, registrations are open to any local government employee.
Management Challenge – North Island
Thu 23 Apr 2026 3:00pm – Fri 24 Apr 2026 5:00pm
Lower Hutt Events Centre, Lower Hutt
Management Challenge – South Island
Tue 21 Apr 2026 3:00pm – Wed 22 Apr 2026 5:00pm
Ōtautahi Christchurch, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Keen to learn more?
Get in touch for questions, team setup help, or invoicing details.