SuperLocal Award finalists

2025 SuperHuman - Tū Kaha Award finalists

The SuperHuman award recognises a hidden gem who exemplifies what being an elected member is all about – a genuine giver, enabler and doer who always goes above and beyond for their community - as nominated by a Mayor and Chair from their council or a community board. They are driven by a clear purpose, and genuine desire to lift their community for the better.

The four finalists for this year’s SuperHuman award are:

  • Deputy Mayor Kelly Annand, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council
  • Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan, Napier City Council
  • Deputy Mayor Helen Craig, Whanganui District Council
  • Councillor Stella Lennox, Masterton District Council

2025 SuperIdea - Tū Auaha Award finalists

This one’s for those who think outside the box. This award will go to a breathtakingly clever solution to an age-old cultural, social, economic or environmental problem in the community. Big or small, this idea will have shifted people’s thinking away from the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality to a new paradigm.

The five finalists for this year’s SuperIdea award are:

  • “Cutting our own track” project, Buller District Council
  • “AI-Volution Harnessing GenAI to Transform Local Government”, Hutt City Council
  • “No Limits Try-Athlon", Napier City Council
  • “Community Safety Plan”, Rotorua Lakes Council
  • “ReConnect Project”, Selwyn District Council

2025 SuperSteward - Tū Tiaki Award finalists

Sponsored by Air New Zealand

This award celebrates the brilliant work our councils do for New Zealand’s environment. The winning initiative will have made a huge impact on the unique environment of a council’s city, district or region – eg improving biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change or coming up with an innovative way to reduce waste.

The three finalists for this year’s SuperSteward award are:

  • “Our Waitarakao: Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment Strategy”, Environment Canterbury / Timaru District Council / Department of Conservation / Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua
  • “Enhancing the environment and enabling growth – Peacocke, Hamilton", Hamilton City Council
  • “Asset Rationalisation Project”, Waikato Regional Council

2025 SuperEngaged - Tū Hononga Award finalists

Sponsored by Beca

This award celebrates councils that have found fresh, creative ways to get their communities involved in local decision-making. They’ve found a way to ensure local voices contribute to decision-making – including voices that aren’t always heard. Through these innovative approaches to engagement and participation, these councils have made sure their communities’ views are truly reflected in their work.

The five finalists for this year’s SuperEngaged award are:

  • “State of the Far North Address”, Far North District Council
  • “Te Kotahitanga o te Hapori: Engaging as One, Thriving Together”, Horowhenua District Council and Shannon Working Group
  • “A community journey to create Te Ara Whetū, a new library for Waikanae”, Kāpiti Coast District Council
  • “Piki Amokura and Te Paepae: voices that shaped community outcomes for growing up and ageing well in Waikirikiri Selwyn”, Selwyn District Council
  • “Ahu Ake, Waipā Community Spatial Plan”, Waipā District Council

2025 SuperCollab - Tū Kotahi Award finalists

Sponsored by Fulton Hogan

This award is for an innovative collaboration or partnership that’s delivered a brilliant outcome – one that’s had a significant positive impact on all or part of a community’s social, economic, environmental and/or cultural wellbeing. Whether a council’s worked with one or multiple collaborators, they’ve taken a genuine partnership approach built on trust, respect and innovation - with long-lasting benefits to their community.

The five finalists for this year’s SuperCollab award are:

  • “Hawke's Bay Community Emergency Hub Model”, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and Wairoa District Council, in partnership with Hawkes Bay Emergency Management
  • “People first: Cyclone buy-out model built on collaboration”, Hastings District Council, Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Napier City Council 
  • “Destination Kāwaroa - Stage One”, New Plymouth District Council, in partnership with Taranaki Foundation, Ngāti Te Whiti hapū and New Plymouth Partners
  • “The Ada Street Safety Initiative - Reclaiming a Community Through Collaboration”, Palmerston North City Council and Horizons Regional Council, in partnership with NZ Police, Fire Emergency NZ, Department of Corrections and Landlords' Association
  • "Bringing the International VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship to New Zealand”, Taupo District Council, in partnership with central government, Ironman and iwi partners

Special thanks to our judging panel:

  • Brad Olsen, Chief Executive and Principal Economist, Infometrics
  • Kerry Prendergast, Chair, Tourism Industry Association
  • Rachel Reese, Independent Board Chair
  • Justin Lester, Director, DOT Loves Data
  • Don Cameron, Former Mayor of Ruapehu District Council
  • Penny Hulse, MNZM, Local Government Specialist
  • Rachel Smith, Senior Systems Innovator, Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa
  • Tim Cadogan, Local Government Engagement Specialist, Taumata Arowai
  • Amelia Linzey, Chief Executive Officer, Beca
  • Anne Haira, Deputy Secretary Partnerships /Investments and Enablement, Ministry for the Environment
  • Grace Hall, Change and Improvement Lead, Brent Council, London
  • Nicole Wihongi, Head of Operations & Infrastructure, Waitangi Trust
  • Susan Freeman-Greene (chief judge), Chief Executive, LGNZ.