Latest news with #LGFATaituarāLocalGovernmentExcellenceAwards
Scoop
7 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Fund Recognised At National Local Government Awards
Ruapehu District Council's 'Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives Fund' has received a Highly Commended citation at the 2025 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards. The Awards celebrate programmes that demonstrate professional excellence and innovation in local government management. Chief Executive Clive Manley said Council staff were proud to see the Fund recognised by their sector peers as a leading approach to local placemaking. 'Empowering Communities, Enhancing Lives' was developed to enable Community Boards to take a leading role in local placemaking within their rohe,' he said. 'The $500,000 contestable fund was made possible through the previous Labour Government's Better Off package, designed to support councils with the transition of water services to new entities while investing in community wellbeing. Community Boards used the Fund to back projects that supported Ruapehu's environmental, social, cultural, and economic wellbeing - aligned with Council's goals for sustainable development and inclusive governance,' said Manley. Executive Manager Community Development Pauline Welch said Council received over $2.5 million in applications - five times the amount available. 'Choosing what to fund was the hardest part. We received 34 applications and were able to support 15 projects,' she said. 'These included stream restoration, new playgrounds, trail upgrades, predator control, upgrades to a kōhanga and community halls, local events, equine learning programmes, assisted learning swimming lessons, funding for community art centre operations, the bronze Kaimanawa horse statue in Waiouru, and seed funding for the Raetihi Temepara restoration. Together, these projects delivered environmental improvements, upgraded community facilities, promoted inclusive learning and recreation, celebrated local culture, and strengthened community connections across the district. Council was pleased to be able to support some of the many hardworking, volunteer-based community groups and organisations that often struggle to access funding. The success of the Fund shows just how far a relatively small investment can go when made available to those with a passion for their communities. While this was a one-off fund, Council encourages any community group with a placemaking project to apply to the annual Community Development and Pride of Place Fund,' she said.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Wellington City Council And Predator Free Wellington Win Supreme Award At Local Government Excellence Awards
Wellington City Council and Predator Free Wellington have won the Supreme Award at the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards held at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre this evening. The LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards celebrates programmes, projects, and approaches that demonstrate professional excellence in local government management, and are open to any council, or council-controlled organisation (CCO) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Three Wellington City Council projects were nominated in different categories, with Predator Free Wellington taking the top award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership, then going on to win the overall Supreme Award out of all the category winners. 'What a night for Wellington! This is a well-deserved national recognition that highlights the groundbreaking conservation work happening in our city, underscores Wellington's commitment to kaitiakitanga or environmental stewardship, and the role our community plays in achieving these ambitious goals,' says Mayor Tory Whanau. Predator Free Wellington - Excellence in Environmental Leadership (Winner/Supreme Winner) Wellington City Council is a proud partner of the Predator Free Wellington project (PFW), which is working hard to eliminate rats, stoats and weasels from Pōneke – and has already been successful on the Miramar Peninsula. 'This award recognises the dedication of the PFW team and also reflects the power of collaboration between local government, volunteers, and engaged communities. PFW's work is making a huge difference to our local biodiversity, and we are proud of their achievements and eager to continue supporting their bold vision for a predator-free capital,' says Mayor Whanau. Predator Free Wellington Project Director, Kaiwhakahaere Matua, James Willcocks says the award is great recognition of years of collaboration and the amazing mahi of all its volunteers. "This award reflects the strong partnership between Wellington City Council and Predator Free Wellington, built on our shared commitment and investment in creating a predator free Wellington. 'Together, we've created a blueprint for transforming urban environments worldwide, demonstrating that cities can be places where both people and biodiversity can thrive." The other two nominations for Wellington City Council were: Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park - Excellence in Community Engagement (Nomination) Mākara Peak exemplifies excellence in community engagement through conservation efforts, volunteer contributions, and a successful partnership. This transformation highlights the power of collaboration and dedication to environmental stewardship. Nestled in Wellington's western hills, Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park (MP) has transformed from gorse-covered terrain to an award-winning recreation area. Mākara Peak Supporters (MPS) and Wellington City Council (WCC) have driven this change, fuelled by thousands of volunteers. Volunteers have built trails, planted over 60,000 native trees, controlled pest plants, and maintained nearly 700 traps. Their efforts have rejuvenated native bush, providing habitat for kiwi, kākāriki, tītipounamu, kārearea, and kākā. TrackDem - Excellence in Digital Local Government (Nomination) Wellington City Council is taking a world-leading approach to transparency by making it easier for everyone to access and understand Council decisions by using technology to locate and track voting records and meeting data. The Mātai Manapori TrackDem system, delivered via enhanced website functionality, shows clearly how the Council and its committees have come to their final decisions, laying out initial recommendations, any changes or amendments to those recommendations, and how each individual Elected Member voted.
