Waikato Regional Council has taken out the Supreme Award at the 2026 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding achievement, innovation and leadership across New Zealand local government. This year’s awards celebrated excellence across collaboration, community engagement, digital innovation, environmental leadership, placemaking, Māori–council partnerships and cost-effectiveness.
The awards ceremony was held last night at Tākina in Wellington with a record turnout of more than 360 attendees.
The Waikato council received the award for its Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana, a project that demonstrates how innovation, science, mātauranga Māori, partnership and long-term thinking can be brought together to solve complex environmental challenges and deliver lasting benefits for communities and the environment.
Judges said the project stood out for its national and international relevance, saying “The high level of national and international interest in this project makes this one of the year’s most transferable entries.”
What began as a challenge unique to Waikato has evolved into a nationally recognised framework that is influencing infrastructure design, informing freshwater management, and supporting councils across Aotearoa to better protect native species and waterways.
The Strategy also won the GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership.
Council Chief Executive, Chris McLay, Senior Freshwater Ecologist, Alicia Williams and Reliability Engineer, Steve Hall collected the awards on behalf of the organisation.
Ms Williams said Pathways to the Sea was a real passion project for everyone involved.
“Developing this strategy to provide safe downstream passage for tuna (eels) and other native fish through our flood protection infrastructure was something we deeply believed in, and we’re incredibly proud of the positive environmental outcomes it will deliver,” she said.
“Winning this award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our 14 funding partners, and our iwi and hapū partners across the Waikato.”
The Council has more pump stations than any other council in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many were constructed decades ago, and with little consideration for ecological impacts. They prevent safe downstream migration of fish species and can cause a high level of injury and mortality for long-lived native tuna (eels).
The strategy embeds ecological outcomes into infrastructure planning and is grounded in a six‑year, evidence‑based research programme undertaken by council staff.
Co-funded by 14 partners, the research included testing fish‑friendly solutions, including new pump technologies, gravity bypasses, electrical deterrents and trap‑and‑transfer operations. In total, more than 20 technical reports were produced, and the research generated significant national and international interest. Field‑tested pumps – including a New Zealand‑designed retrofit prototype – achieved safe passage rates of between 74 and 100%.
Mr McLay said the Strategy has now been embedded into our business‑as‑usual operations and has been designed so it can be adopted by councils across the motu.
“The passion and dedication of our staff throughout this project ensures it will deliver long‑term benefits for our freshwater ecosystems, while upholding Te Mana o te Wai,” he said.
View the Pathways to the Sea video that supported the council’s application here.
The other 2026 Excellence Award category winners are:
- Morrison Low Advisory Award for Excellence in Collaborating for Results
Taupō District Council for East Urban Lands – Oroko Rise – Read more Watch video entry - Eagle Technology Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Northland Regional Council for Whirinaki Managed Retreat – Read more Watch video entry - Co-Lab Award for Excellence in Cost-Effectiveness
Auckland Transport for Climate Resilience versus Recovery Costs for Transport Networks – Read moreWatch video entry - Datascape Award for Excellence in Digital Local Government
Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council for Turning the Tide: Large Woody Debris AI-assisted Removal. This project also received the The Taituarā Members’ Choice Award, voted on by members – Read more Watch video entry - GHD Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Waikato Regional Council for Pathways to the Sea Strategy – Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana. This project also received the LGFA Taituarā Supreme Award – Read more Watch video entry - Beca Award for Excellence in Placemaking
New Plymouth District Council for Destination Kāwaroa – Read more Watch video entry - Te Tohu Waka Hourua – Buddle Findlay Award for Excellence in Māori–Council Partnerships
Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland Council for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Reserves Board – Ko Te Pūkākī: 2040 – Read more Watch video entry
The following awards and opportunities were also announced:
- The Sheffield Emerging Leader of the Year Award was presented to:
Kaanihi Butler-Hare, Temuaki Māori – Chief Māori Officer at Hutt City Council – Read more - The New Zealand leg of the Australasian Management Challenge was won by:
“Tactically Tasman” from Tasman District Council. The team will represent New Zealand at the Australasian finals – Read more
Five local government professionals were selected for international management exchanges:
- Auriole Ruka, Northland Regional Council – Hononga Indigenous Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, Australia – Read more
- Adele Henderson, Western Bay of Plenty District Council – Civic Financial Services Overseas Manager Exchange to the United States – Read more
- Kataraina O’Brien, Bay of Plenty Regional Council – Overseas Manager Exchange to British Columbia, Canada – Read more
- Anita Reedy-Holthausen, Te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti – Gisborne District Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to New South Wales, Australia – Read more
- Challen Wilson, Auckland Council – AskYourTeam Overseas Manager Exchange to Victoria, Australia – Read more.
