For immediate release 5 September 1999
Environment Waikato Flood Management Wins Top Local Government Award
Environment Waikato has been awarded the 1999 New Zealand Post Management Excellence Award for its handling of the 'one
in one hundred year flood' of July 1998.
The award was presented at the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) annual conference in Rotorua today.
Presenting the award, New Zealand Post General Business Leader Craig Mills said Environment Waikato's management of the
flood, from its planning and preparation through to the implementation of its flood protection systems, resulted in
limited localised flooding - a good result for the community.
As winner of the 1999 New Zealand Post Management Excellence Award, Environment Waikato received $2000 cash and $2000 in
New Zealand Post services together with a distinctive trophy.
The New Zealand Post Management Excellence Awards were established to recognise best practice in local government
management.
This year, four new categories were added to the New Zealand Post Management Excellence Awards to recognise a broader
range of innovation and achievement within local government.
Out of the four categories, the overall winner of the 1999 New Zealand Post Management Excellence Award, Environment
Waikato, was chosen for its contribution to excellence in local government management and the applicability of its
approach and practices to other district and regional councils.
The category winners are:
1999 New Zealand Post Management of People Category Award - Wellington City Council for Wellington City Libraries and
PSA Protocol: a leading light in management-staff partnership.
This category recognises human resource management and was awarded to Wellington City Council for its innovative and
successful approach to restructuring with a strong emphasis on open communication between management, staff and union.
A commendation was also awarded in this category to Waikato District Council for 'The Waikato Way'.
More…
1999 New Zealand Post Community Relationships Category Award - Auckland Regional Council for Operation ForestSave to
save the Waitakeres from serious possum damage.
This category recognises relationship building, including consultation and feedback, between local authorities and their
communities. Auckland Regional Council received the award for its strong project management process and communications
programme, including a freephone hotline, to cull possums in the Waitakere Forest.
A commendation was also awarded in this category to Manukau City Council for the Manukau Economic Development Strategy.
1999 New Zealand Post Process Management Category Award - Environment Waikato for the 'One in One Hundred Year Flood'
event management.
This category recognises innovative approaches to process management to provide effective and efficient services to the
public. Environment Waikato received the award for its flood management strategy and its continuous review of plans.
A commendation was also awarded in this category to North Shore City Council for its annual plan submissions management
process.
1999 New Zealand Post Technology Advance Category Award - Selwyn District Council for the Lake Coleridge Waste
Management Project.
This category recognises innovation in the use of applied technology to improve local government performance and
service. Selwyn District Council received the award for the installation of environmentally friendly composting toilets
that reduced pollution of the Lake Coleridge shoreline and water.
Winners of the four New Zealand Post Category Awards each received $500 cash and $1000 of New Zealand Post services.
This is the third year of the New Zealand Post Management Excellence Awards. This year, 32 entries were received, a
significant increase on the 11 entries in the 1998 awards.
In 1997 the New Plymouth District Council won the inaugural award; the 1998 award was won by Auckland City Council.
ENDS