Local government celebrates outstanding performance at LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards, designed to recognise and celebrate the leadership role local government plays within communities.

The Awards were presented at a prestigious dinner in Nelson where more than 550 delegates from local government, central government and stakeholders.

LGNZ President Lawrence Yule congratulates all the winners, and thanked finalists for their entries.

“These awards give national recognition to the strong impact projects driven by local authorities have through community, infrastructure and economic development,” Mr Yule says.

“The sector should be proud of its achievements as we celebrate these outstanding projects and individuals.”

Fulton Hogan EXCELLENCE Award for Community Impact
Kawerau District Council’s Kawerau Adopt a Nation – 2013 World Rafting Champs won the Fulton Hogan EXCELLENCE Award for Community Impact. Having part of the 2013 World Rafting Champs held on the Tarawera River’s grade 2/3 rapids spurred the Kawerau District Council to create a project to unite its community and spur its young residents’ interest in white water rafting. Kawerau had been struggling due to industrial changes. This event was a great example of a council leveraged the champs to get its community working together on an initiative that had significant positive media coverage both here and overseas.
Highly commended: Wairoa District Council’s Raupanga Amenity Area and Canterbury Water Management Strategy by Environment Canterbury on behalf of Canterbury mayors.

MartinJenkins EXCELLENCE Award for Local Economic Contribution
Hauraki District Council’s Hauraki Rail Trail won the MartinJenkins EXCELLENCE Award for Local Economic Contribution. Built in association with Matamata-Piako and Thames Coromandel District Councils, the Hauraki Rail Trail exceeded all predicted benefits including economic contribution. The economic benefit was expected to be $8-$16 million over five years, but trail users spent $4.5 million in just one year between March 2013 and February 2014.
Highly commended: Wanganui District Council for its 100% Connected project.

Beca Infrastructure Project of the Year
Kapiti Coast District Council’s Kapiti Water Supply Project won the Beca Infrastructure Project of the Year. Kapiti Coast District Council was tasked with finding a secure, reliable and sustainable water supply to last Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Raumati communities for a century to come. In its 2009 Long Term Plan, the council committed a budget of $23 million for the project. The council learned to engage with the wider community early and work with them to establish their values, which can then be used as the basis for multi-criteria analysis of options.

LGNZ Community Event of the Year
Napier City Council’s Tremains Art Deco Weekend won LGNZ Community Event of the Year, for its enduring appeal bringing more than 35,000 people to the community each year for a festival of architecture, fashion, outdoor concerts and vintage car parades. Napier City Council works in close partnership with non-profit Art Deco Trust on planning and implementation of the event, with private sector sponsors from local businesses and community groups to national companies such as real estate firm Tremains, Air New Zealand, TSB Bank and AMI Insurance.
Highly commended: Auckland Council for its Dick Smith NRL Nines event.

Skills Organisation Outstanding Contribution to Local Government
This award went to former Southland Mayor, Frana Cardno. This award, judged by the LGNZ National Council, was awarded to a local government leader who showed outstanding commitment to the sector and led her local community between 1992 and 2013.

LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards judges were a panel of experts in their field of economics, infrastructure, community and local government, including former Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, BERL Chief Economist Dr Ganesh Nana and the Chair of New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development John Rae.

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