SuperLocal Awards recognise local government excellence

Exceptional local government projects and people were celebrated at LGNZ’s annual SuperLocal Awards to close out the LGNZ SuperLocal26 Conference in Rotorua last night.

The Fulton Hogan SuperCollab award winner was affordable housing project East Urban Lands / Oroko Rise Taupō with Taupō District Council. This project has transformed housing affordability through an innovative partnership with Penny Homes, Classic Builders and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust. The initiative delivered 38 homes in its first stage, with prices starting from $550,000, well below the average for the region.

Judges said the winning entry is a strong example of a council partnering with a private developer – and a potentially replicable model for other councils and communities. It balanced affordable housing outcomes, council objectives, and a viable commercial return for the developer.

Gisborne District Council took home the SuperIdea award, for its ‘Turning the tide: Large woody debris AI-assisted removal’ project – which used AI, drone imagery, local knowledge and operational expertise to clean up more than 1.5 million cubic meters of woody debris following Cyclone Gabrielle.

‘Turning the Tide’ shows how innovation can help councils respond to climate-related challenges at scale, making faster, evidence-based decisions for communities. The project combined technology, cross-boundary information sharing and community engagement, demonstrating the way innovation can help in responding to a significant environmental problem and creating a model others can learn from.

SuperSteward winner Waikato Regional Council was recognised for its Ngā rerenga ki te moana: Pathways to the sea is a long-term strategy which worked to restore safe downstream fish passage through flood protection infrastructure.

The project impressed the judges who said its combination of strong research, genuine innovation and clear measurable results made it “much more than an environmental project” which could influence practices well beyond the Waikato region.

The final award, SuperHuman, was awarded to Councillor Alison Short from Manawatū District Council, recognising her almost 20 years of service to the district.

Councillor Short has built trusted relationships across health, social services, iwi, community organisations and local government, helping turn ideas into lasting outcomes. Known for her humility, integrity and willingness to roll up her sleeves when communities need support, she leads by standing alongside people rather than in front of them.

LGNZ Chief Executive Scott Necklen congratulated the winners and finalists, as well as everyone who entered this year’s awards.

“The quality and number of awards truly demonstrate how local government is delivering on the ground for communities in ways that are truly innovative and exceptional. The judges had their work cut out for them, even before making the list of finalists,” said Scott Necklen.

“Councils are showing that even during a period of uncertainty and change they turn up every day and deliver for their communities, and the SuperLocal awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and share that work.”

The finalists for each category were:

SuperCollab Award – Tū Kotahi sponsored by Fulton Hogan

• East Urban Lands / Oroko Rise Taupō, Taupō District Council – winner
• Growing resilience: Tairāwhiti Transition Advisory Group, Gisborne District Council
• Tō reo. Tō mana. A community partnership for local democracy, Gisborne District Council

SuperIdea Award – Tū Auaha

• Turning the tide: Large woody debris AI-assisted removal, Gisborne District Council – winner
• More of this = Less of that. How a small rural council reimagined community engagement, Tararua District Council
• Extreme weather hub: Flood dashboard, Hawke's Bay Regional Council

SuperSteward Award – Tū Tiaki

• Ngā rerenga ki te moana: Pathways to the sea, Waikato Regional Council – winner
• Waingake transformation: Restoring a living legacy, Gisborne District Council

SuperHuman Award – Tū Kaha

• Councillor Alison Short, Manawatū District Council – winner
• Deputy Mayor Pete Rainey, Nelson City Council
• Councillor Paul Duffy, Southland District Council

The judging panel for the awards was:

• Head Judge: Bonita Bigham (Ngāruahine, Te Ātiawa), Deputy Chair, Taranaki Regional Council; LGNZ National Council member; Local Government Commissioner.
• Mark Butcher, Chief Executive, New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency
• Rupert Hodson, Local Government Market Lead, Beca
• Penny Hulse, LGNZ Life Member and Auckland’s inaugural Deputy Mayor
• Justin Lester, former Mayor of Wellington and Director, Dot Loves Data
• Alistair Mason, Director of the Office of the Secretary, Social Investment Agency
• Basil Morrison CNZM, LGNZ Life Member and former Mayor
• Brad Olsen, Principal Economist, Infometrics
• Ezra Schuster, Regional Public Service Commissioner, Bay of Plenty
• Andrew Wilson, Chief Executive, RotoruaNZ and Chair, Regional Tourism New Zealand