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Hastings District Council’s ‘Te Ara Kahikatea – Whakatu Arterial Link’ project is a finalist in the 2019 Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) EXCELLENCE Awards.
The awards, now in their sixth year, recognise and celebrate the key leadership role local government plays within communities around the country.
The council is a finalist in the EXCELLENCE Award for Economic Well-being for the construction of an arterial route improving the district’s economic and social well-being, following extensive community consultation.
The award criteria is for a project that enhances the economic well-being of its community; is responsible for sustained improvements in performance while building organisational capability; and/or demonstrates strong adaptive ability to ensure effective performance in different contexts over time.
Nearly four kilometres long, the route is built on a green-fields stretch home to Māori-owned land, urupā , commercial orchards, and a culturally significant waterway.
Added to the challenge, the route is criss-crossed by infrastructure including rail, cycle paths and existing roads, on soil protected by legislation.
Engagement and relationship building were at the heart of the project with communities of interest brought together to help lead the design, followed up by active inclusion in the construction phase and right through to the collaborative approach to choosing the route’s new name: Te Ara Kahikatea.
The judges praised the council for its “willingness to learn and adapt its processes to meet the needs of its community while designing a large piece of infrastructure”, and its “commendable and genuine” engagement with mana whenua.
LGNZ President Dave Cull said being named as a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects strong leadership and the innovative work being delivered by councils across the country.
“These EXCELLENCE Awards demonstrate the value local government provides to community, economic development, infrastructure and the environment,” said Mr Cull.
Judges for the awards are former Wellington Mayor Dame Kerry Prendergast, distinguished diplomat and public servant Sir Maarten Wevers, and Executive Director of the New Zealand Initiative, Dr Oliver Hartwich.
Category winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the LGNZ Conference, to be held in Wellington on 8 July 2019.
“The sector should be incredibly proud of its achievements as we celebrate these outstanding projects. The finalist projects are real examples of how local government delivers exemplary value and services to New Zealanders in a collaborative and inclusive way.”
The 14 finalists for the LGNZ EXCELLENCE Awards 2019 are:
EXCELLENCE Award for Social Well-being
MartinJenkins EXCELLENCE Award for Economic Well-being
Air New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Environmental Well-being
Creative New Zealand EXCELLENCE Award for Cultural Well-being
5 June 2019
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