Friday, March 29, 2024

Spirit of Service Awards judging gets underway

Judging has begun in this year’s Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards, with 24 finalists nominated for honours.

Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards are awarded annually to celebrate outstanding public services and initiatives that make a difference for New Zealanders.

A total of 70 entries across all Award categories were received from across the public sector, highlighting the outstanding work of individuals, agencies, organisations and joint initiatives with iwi and communities.

Entries ranged from infrastructure strategy to national health initiatives to the official recognition of Matariki – with six individuals put forward for Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | Young Leader of the Year Award.

Member of the judging panel, Hannah Cameron (Te Kawa Mataaho Deputy Commissioner, Strategy and Policy) said this year’s entries were impressive and highlighted the amazing work happening across the system.

“I’m amazed at the achievements and dedication of our young Public Service leaders,” said Ms Cameron.

“They truly embody the spirit of service. The quality of entries and the difference they are making for New Zealanders is incredible.”

Judging for the Awards takes place this month with the winners to be announced on 15 September.

The five award categories are:

  • Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana | Better Outcomes Award
  • Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira | Service Excellence Award
  • Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna | Māori Crown Relationships Award
  • Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Mahi Whakahaere | Leadership in Governance Award  
  • Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | Young Leader of the Year Award

The Prime Minister’s Award is selected from the winners of the first four categories and the Lifetime Achievement Award honours an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to their community and who exemplifies a spirit of service.

The finalists are:

Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira | Service Excellence Award

Care in the Community Welfare Response

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

A unified and agile response to support the health and welfare of individuals and whānau self-isolating due to COVID-19.

Living Smokefree Service for equitable outcomes for Māori and Pacific populations within Counties Manukau

Counties Manukau DHB

Achieving equitable smokefree outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples by providing holistic, client, and whānau-led approaches.

National Bowel Screening Programme

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health – National Screening Unit

A new cancer screening programme that utilises innovative information technology, ensuring early detection and prevention of bowel cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. Home testing kits have increased accessibility and improved service delivery and health services across all health regions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | NZ Customs Service, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

An agile, cross-agency response to COVID-19 border safety, creating a digital platform to individually assess COVID-19 health and risk level of those entering Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Translation Service

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs and Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Improving translation services to ensure linguistically diverse communities receive reliable and high-quality communications, especially in times such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana | Better Outcomes Award

Afghanistan Resettlement Response

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry of Ethnic Communities

Nga Pirihimana o Aotearoa | New Zealand Police

Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children

Kāinga Ora | Homes and Communities

Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury

Rīpeka Whero Aotearoa | New Zealand Red Cross

Waikato Refugee Forum

Christchurch Resettlement Services

New Settlers Family and Community Trust (NFACT)

Manawatu Multi-cultural Council

ChangeMakers Resettlement

A cross government response to the Afghanistan humanitarian crisis, ensuring the safe arrival of over 1700 people and providing unprecedented settlement support in their new homeland, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Formal Government Apology for the Dawn Raids

Te Manatū mō ngā iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Ministry for Pacific People

Providing robust advice to the Government to ensure the Dawn Raids Apology was meaningful to Pacific communities and embedded the rich diversity of Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa cultures.

House Relocation and Waste Minimisation Programme

Kāinga Ora | Homes and Communities

Improving housing solutions and access to ownership for whānau and communities through reducing waste going to landfill and relocating homes from redevelopment sites.

MSD Employment Outcomes

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

Adapting and scaling up employment services during a time of global and local uncertainty. Helping over 200,000 people transition to work through assistance with job readiness, job searching, training and connection to employers.

Operation H – International operation into online child sexual abuse material

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Aotearoa’s largest and most significant online child exploitation investigation safeguarding vulnerable children and identifying offenders globally.

Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Mahi Whakahaere | Leadership in Governance Award

Establishing a partnership: the Taumata Arowai Board and Te Puna

Taumata Arowai

Taumata Arowai demonstrates its commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi through its partnership between the Board and Te Puna (the Māori Advisory Group). The governance arrangement is modelling how a strategic partnership can be effectively built into decision making processes.

Rautaki Hanganga o Aotearoa, New Zealand Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2052

Te Waihanga | The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

Te Waihanga placed infrastructure as a foundation of wellbeing while developing Aotearoa’s first Infrastructure Strategy in response to the deep and intergenerational challenges we face.

Te Pūkenga Interim Learner Advisory Committee

Te Pūkenga | New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology

Te Pūkenga Interim Learner Advisory Committee is an example of learner leadership and of doing governance differently, with the diverse and inclusive nature of what has been built by learners leading to a safe and productive space and governance culture.

Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna | Māori Crown Relationships Award

Jobs for Nature Uwhi Trial

Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand and Te Arawa Lakes Trust

The Uwhi Trial is a collaboration that enabled the deployment of Mātauranga based solutions delivered by Te Arawa scientists, weavers, and hunga tiaki of the Lakes. This initiative supported environmental and employment outcomes during COVID-19.

New Zealand Police, Te Kahu O Taonui, Tai Tokerau Border Control

Nga Pirihimana O Aotearoa | New Zealand Police, Tai Tokerau Border Control and Te Kahu o Taonui

Creating true partnerships and co-design to implement border control, engagement, and protection models within Tai Tokerau to keep communities safe.

Te Aho o Te Kahu

Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency

Embedding Māori perspectives into the structure, values and purpose of Te Aho o Te Kahu to prioritise equitable health outcomes for Māori communities.

Te Kāhui o Matariki – a Māori Crown journey from creating to celebrating a new public holiday

Te Arawhiti | The Office for Māori Crown Relations, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Ensuring a public holiday derived from mātauranga Māori safeguards and actively promotes mātauranga Māori.

Tū Māia

Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga and Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children

Tū Māia is a training programme that was designed and delivered by Te Tauihu o Ngā Wānanga to support the development of Oranga Tamariki staff in Te Ao Māori knowledge and capability. It is underpinned by a distinct partnership founded in principles of whanaungatanga, kotahitanga and tautoko.

Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | Young Leader of the Year Award

Gayathiri Ganeshan

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Principal Policy Advisor, Workplace Relations and Safety Policy

Gayathiri drew on her leadership and influencing skills to lead significant cross-government policy work through the pandemic. She is collaborative, constructive and is motivated to make the world a better place.

Kiriana Haze

Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino, Te Arawa

Te Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture & Heritage

Pou Tohu Matua | Senior Adviser, Te Pae Māpuna – Heritage & Taonga

Kiriana has successfully led Manatū Taonga to create new frameworks for the reconnection of iwi and hapū to their taonga tūturu. She works with grit, creativity, and integrity, placing the mana and aspirations of iwi and hapū at the centre of all she does.

Mana Williams-Eade

Ngati Rarua, Ngati Toa Rangatira ki Wairau, Ngāpuhi

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

DCE Advisor, Office of the DCE, Service Delivery

Mana demonstrates a fierce determination to improving the lives of others. He is humble and inspiring, continuously advocating and supporting young people who have lived experience in state care.

Mary Soonaoso Tiumalu

Te Manatū mō ngā iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Ministry of Pacific People

Manager, Pacific Languages

Mary is a proud New Zealand Samoan who is creating real, long-lasting change for Pacific communities in Aotearoa. She uses her leadership skills, humility, and passion to create spaces for her community to thrive.

Tim Searle

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Senior Policy Advisor

Tim has had a transformational impact on the success of Aotearoa’s space sector. He is generous with his knowledge and is driven by a belief in the capability of the sector to deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits for the whole country.

Toni Grimshaw

Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice

Manager, People Operations

Toni is a calm, people-centric leader who has a deep desire for everyone to feel safe and supported at work. In addition to her work at Justice, Toni worked with Aotearoa’s judiciary to set a world-first policy aimed at enabling everyone to thrive in a positive and supportive workplace.

Te Kawa Mataaho thanks the Awards’ sponsors: The Australia and New Zealand School of Government, DXC Technology, Victoria University of Wellington School of Government, Westpac NZ, and Deloitte.  

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