Waipā’s engagement effort has been recognised on the national stage, with Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan named a finalist in the 2025 LGNZ SuperLocal Awards.
The plan is a finalist in the SuperEngaged – Tū Hononga Award category, which celebrates councils that use creative ways to involve their communities, including voices that are not always heard from.
The innovative approach included a ‘World Cafe’ and saw staff and elected members take to the road, visiting 11 towns and villages across the district. The goal was to hear directly from locals about what matters most for Waipā’s future.
Group Manager Strategy, Kirsty Downey, said the recognition is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when community voices drive the process.
“To be a finalist in this category is an acknowledgement of the authentic and meaningful way that we’ve partnered with mana whenua and iwi, and the innovative approach we’ve taken with stakeholders and our wider community.”
“Ahu Ake was shaped by our people – their stories, aspirations and ideas are woven throughout the heart of it. This recognition reflects just how powerful it is when communities play a role in creating a future they want.”
Waipā stands alongside four other finalists in the category, including projects from Kāpiti Coast and Selwyn District Councils that also focused on inclusive and forward-thinking engagement.
This isn’t the first time Ahu Ake has been recognised. In 2022, the project won the Community Impact Award at the national leg of the Asia Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards, for its innovative geospatial work, and a year later it won the same award against Australasian competitors.
In 2024, it won an award for the best practice in the use of digital tools from the New Zealand Planning Institute, and the PRINZ silver award for Community Relations and Engagement.
Winners of the 2025 SuperLocal Awards will be announced on Thursday July 17 at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch, as part of LGNZ’s annual conference.
