Two initiatives recognised in national excellence awards

A mobile voting initiative that helped deliver the highest local election turnout in 30 years and a Te Ao Māori framework that is strengthening relationships and building cultural capability across the organisation have secured Far North District Council two nominations in the 2026 Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.

The first nomination is for Excellence in Community Engagement for the council's Mobile Ballot Box Tour, which focused on meeting people where they were. By taking voting services to rural communities, markets, community events, marae, schools and other gathering places across the Far North, the tour helped remove barriers to participation during the 2025 local elections. It improved accessibility and contributed to higher voter turnout across all subdivisions and wards with the 2025 local elections recording a turnout of 50.7 per cent, the highest in the Far North in 30 years.

Further detail is available in the independent report Voter Turnout in the 2025 Far North District Council Local Elections by Independent Election Services Ltd.

With the General Election approaching later this year, now is a good time to check you're enrolled and your details are up to date. Visit vote.nz or refer to the handy chart here.

The second nomination is for Te Tohu Waka Hourua, the Buddle Findlay Award for Excellence in Māori Council Partnerships, for Te Pae o Uta, the council's Te Ao Māori framework that helps staff build cultural capability and apply the values and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their everyday work.

Te Pae o Uta provides a roadmap for how the council can strengthen relationships, support the use of te reo Māori, and deliver services in a way that is culturally responsive and reflects the diverse communities of the Far North. The framework also encourages long-term thinking, helping staff uphold the council's values while making decisions that support future generations.

The nominations recognise the work of council staff and partners to improve community participation, strengthen relationships and make council services more accessible and responsive to Far North communities. They also provide an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from successful projects and bring new ideas back to the district.

Winners of the 2026 Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards will be announced on Thursday evening.

View the full list of finalists and award categories here.