21 July 2015

Local government celebrates outstanding performance at LGNZ Excellence Awards

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

The awards were presented last night at the annual LGNZ conference an d Award dinner in Rotorua, attended by more than 600 delegates from local and central government, and stakeholders.

LGNZ President Lawrence Yule congratulated all the winners and recognised finalists for their entries.

“The high calibre of entries from both large and small councils demonstrates the strong impact local projects have through community, infrastructure and economic development,” Mr Yule said.

“These awards, now in their second year, give national recognition to that vital contribution to our communities countrywide. As we celebrate these outstanding projects the sector should be proud of its achievements.”

Fulton Hogan EXCELLENCE Award for Community Impact

Winner: Waipa District Council – Let’s Get Engaged.

For a project or programme that has created a more culturally connected, technically informed, safe or vibrant community in their city, town, district or region.

The winner has demonstrated significant improvement to the way local government has engaged with their community. Let’s Get Engaged addressed the big challenges faced by the Waipa District and used new media in innovative, inviting and entertaining ways to inform communities and gain feedback for the Council’s Ten-Year Plan. Judges described the project as innovative, inclusive, energetic and focused.

Highly commended: Grey District Council’s Identity Project, and Timaru District Council - Aoraki Development Business and Tourism’s Gigatown Timaru.

EQC EXCELLENCE Award for Infrastructure Project of the Year

Winner: Horowhenua District Council – Tokomaru Water Treatment Plant Upgrade. For the council whose infrastructure programme has led to improved efficiencies and effectiveness for local businesses, residents and visitors, and has contributed to economic or environmental benefit for their region.

Residents faced a 10-year wait for an essential upgrade to Tokomaru’s water treatment plant, estimated at $2 to $3 million. Council staff identified an alternative filtration and disinfection solution which was completed swiftly and cost only $350,000. Judges praised the project as outstanding and innovative, with strong public health outcomes.

Highly commended: Napier City’s Council Filter Waste Water, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s WestLink collaborative road maintenance strategy.

Air New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Environmental Impact

Winner: Hawkes’s Bay Regional Council – Hawke’s Bay Urban Biodiversity (HUB) programme. For the council which has developed a project or initiative that has made a positive contribution to the quality of their environment.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council worked with Napier City Council and Hastings District Council to engage urban communities in possum control. This won strong community support and achieved multiple benefits including steady growth in native bird numbers. Judges praised the huge community engagement and demonstrable impact, with clear benefits for the environment and for residents.

Highly Commended: Auckland Council’s Wai Care, and Grey District Council’s Cobden Aromahana Sanctuary and Recreation Area.

MartinJenkins EXCELLENCE Award for Local Economic Contribution

For the council whose infrastructure project has led to improved efficiencies and effectiveness for local businesses, residents and visitors, and has contributed to an economic or environmental benefit for their region.

Highly Commended: Rotorua Lakes Council’s Inner City Revitalisation Project, and Waikato Regional Council‘s Waikato Means Business Strategy.

LGNZ Award for Outstanding Contribution to Local Government

Winner: Former Waitakere City Mayor Sir Bob Harvey. This award, judged by the LGNZ National Council, was awarded to a local government leader who showed outstanding commitment to the sector and led his local community between 1992 and 2010.

Judges for the LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards were former Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Chair of EQC Sir Maarten Wevers and The New Zealand Initiative’s Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich.

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