Finalists picked for 2012 Public Sector Excellence Awards

15 May 2012

Finalists picked for the 2012 Public Sector Excellence Awards

The finalists for the 2012 gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards have been announced today by the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ).

Held jointly between IPANZ and gen-i, the annual awards recognise and reward outstanding performances and achievements in the New Zealand public sector.

“The 27 finalists were chosen from more than 70 nominations coming in from across New Zealand,” said IPANZ President Len Cook.

“The standard of entries continues to impress each year. At a time when Government is asking the public sector to provide more for less, these awards recognise a sector committed to achieving excellence, to embracing innovative ideas, and demonstrating real leadership.”

“The awards are proof that the sector is delivering better services in new, more effective ways.

“This is one of the few occasions for the public sector to celebrate a job well done. We must reward the creative spirit within the public sector, and highlight projects that are leading the world in the way they deliver services to the public.

The finalists are divided across eight categories:
• Improving Public Value through Business Transformation
• New Professional of the Year
• Working Together for Better Services
• Networked Government
• Crown–Maori Relationships
• Public Sector Communications
• Improving Performance through Leadership Excellence
• Excellence in Ethnic Diversity

“This year’s outstanding finalists underline the continuing strength of the awards and is proof that the sector is tackling old problems in new ways.

“The awards present a unique opportunity to showcase the stars in the public sector,” said Mr Cook.

The Public Sector Excellence Awards recognise and reward outstanding performances and work achievements of organisations and project teams in the New Zealand public sector. The Awards showcase the significant contribution of the wider public sector to meeting the needs of New Zealand and New Zealanders.

Winners of each category and the Prime Minister’s Award for Public Sector Excellence will be announced at an awards dinner to be held at Wellington’s TSB Arena on 27 June.

Details on each of the 27 finalists can be found at http://ipanzawards.org.nz/events/2012-award-finalists

About IPANZ
The Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ) is a voluntary, non-profit organisation committed to promoting informed debate on public sector issues. Its membership comprises a wide range of professional advisers and managers in the public sector, university students and teachers, and interested people from the private sector. IPANZ arranges regular seminars for its members and interested people to provide information on and facilitate discussion of important questions of public policy and management. www.ipanz.org.nz

Finalists in the 2012 IPANZ Gen-i Public Sector Excellence Awards

Office of Ethnic Affairs Award in Excellence in Ethnic Diversity
• Enhancing Productivity in Diverse Kiwi Workplaces – Department of Labour
• Maori Pacific and Ethnic Services Cultural Response Team – New Zealand Police
• Intercultural Learning and Dialogue Programme – Unitec Institute of Technology

School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington New Professional of the Year (new for 2012)
• Jo Pugh – Department of Labour
• Ellen MacGregor Reid – Ministry of Social Development
• Daria Kwon – Statistics New Zealand
• Geoff Cooper – Auckland Council

State Services Commission and Leadership Development Centre Award for Improving Performance through Leadership Excellence
• Leading from where you stand – Statistics New Zealand
• Our Place: Making a Great Place – Land Information New Zealand
• Cross Government Collective Pacific Senior Public Sector Leadership – Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

Talent2 Award for Excellence in Public Sector Communications
• Going Digital – Ministry for Culture and Heritage
• Police Recruitment Use of Social Media – New Zealand Police
• Smokefree Prisons – Department of Corrections
• What’s My Number – Electricity Authority and Ministry of Consumer Affairs

Microsoft Award for Excellence in Networked Government
• A fresh look at our past - the digitising of New Zealand's historic Yearbooks –
Statistics New Zealand
• Digitisation - Winning the Paper War – Ministry of Social Development
• Earthquake Employment Support – Ministry of Social Development

Te Puni Kokiri Award for Excellence in Crown-Maori Relationships
• DOC, Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust, and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves – Department of Conservation and Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust
• Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Wardens – New Zealand Police
• Protecting the Waipoua and Mataraua Forest – Department of Conservation and Te Iwi O Te Roroa
• Te Upoko Taiao: a partnership for resource management in the Wellington Region – Greater Wellington Regional Council and Te Ara Tahi (the Greater Wellington iwi leadership forum)

Treasury Award for Excellence in Improving Public Value through Business Transformation
• Blood is a Gift – Auckland District Health Board
• Redevelopment of Maori LandOnline with Geographical Information System capability – Ministry of Justice
• Pre-charge warnings: Alternative Resolutions, Policing Excellence – New Zealand Police
• Reforming Greater Wellington's Water Supply Business – Greater Wellington Regional Council

Society of Local Government Managers Award in Excellence for Working Together for Better Services
• DOC Aoraki/Mount Cook solid waste plant development – Department of Conservation, Mackenzie District Council and Timaru District Council
• Operation Suburb – Department of Building and Housing and Christchurch City Council
• Rangitoto/Motutapu pest eradication project – Department of Conservation
• Resolving historic claims of child abuse and neglect – Ministry of Social Development, Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Education

ENDS

© Scoop Media