Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards.
Tonight, the 7th annual Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards were held in Wellington. The awards recognise initiatives that deliver great outcomes for New Zealand and exceptional public sector individuals.
"These awards are a reminder of the quality of people we are so fortunate to have in our Public Service. We are lucky to have public servants of such calibre – people who bring energy, integrity, and imagination to their work. That is what the spirit of service is about," says Sir Brian Roche, Public Service Commissioner.
Thank you to the generous support of our sponsors ANZSOG – The Australia and New Zealand School of Government, DXC Technology Australia and New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington School of Government, Westpac New Zealand, and Deloitte.
And a huge congratulations to the winners of this year's awards (drum roll, please)...
Building a more efficient building system
Winner of Te Tohu a te Pirimia | Prime Minister’s Award
Winner of Te Tohu mō te Hiranga o te Mahi Kaupapa Here | Excellence in Public Policy Award
The winner of the Prime Minister’s Award and the Excellence in Public Policy Award is Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Building System Performance branch for driving an ambitious series of reforms to improve the building regulatory system. The reforms will contribute to the Government’s objectives by simplifying consent processes, reducing building and material costs, and making it easier and more affordable to build in New Zealand.
Read more about the Excellence in Public Policy Award winner and finalists here:
Photos by Mark Tantrum
When we get it right, we build homes faster, we grow the economy and we make people’s lives better, which is exactly what the team at MBIE’s Building System Performance branch have done.
AI-Volution: Harnessing GenAI to Transform Local Government
Winner of Te Tohu Auaha Hou | Innovation Award
The Innovation Award winner is AI-Volution, Hutt City Council’s bold initiative that sets out to prove the public sector can be daring, agile and future-ready – embracing innovative approaches to cost savings while improving community services. By embedding generative AI across their operations, the council is delivering faster services and driving better outcomes for the communities they serve.
Read more about the Innovation Award winner and finalists here:
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Sustainability Project
Winner of Te Tohu mō Whai Ratonga | Māori Crown Award
The winner of Te Tohu mō Whai Ratonga is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Sustainability Project. More than 100,000 people walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing each year, placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, the environment, and cultural values of the area. To manage these impacts, Department of Conservation works in partnership with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to deliver interventions through culturally grounded, sustainable practices that emphasise manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.
Read more about the Whai Ratonga Award winner and finalists here:
Supporting Māori Crown relationships through kōwhiringa, auahatanga and whakapūmautanga
Let’s Go Unpro
Winner of Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana | Better Outcomes Award
The Better Outcomes Award winner is Sport New Zealand for their Let’s Go Unpro campaign which tackled the decline in physical activity among female rangatahi by addressing barriers like low confidence and fear of judgement. The campaign exceeded industry benchmarks, reaching over 90% of New Zealand’s 13 to 17-year-olds and generating more than 20 million views. It also tripled their behaviour change goal, lifting physical activity rates by 9.2% and reversing a long-term decline for the first time.
Read more about the Better Outcomes Award winner and finalists here:
Erica Seville
Winner of Te Tohu Rāngai Tūmatanui mō te Tumuaki o Te Tau | Public Sector Director of the Year Award
The Public Sector Director of the Year recipient is Erica Seville. Erica is a Commissioner and the Chair of the People, Culture and Governance Committee at the Natural Hazards Commission where she fosters a culture of wellbeing, continuous improvement, and accountability.
"Real influence in governance often comes from patience and persistence, not just quick wins. There are moments when decisive action is needed, but most lasting change comes from steady, consistent effort and bringing people with you on the journey – because in the end, governance is about collective wisdom, shared responsibility, and creating the conditions for sound decisions to endure." – Erica Seville
Read more about Erica and her work here:
Helping organisations make good decisions and serve their communities
Damien Clark
Winner of Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | Young Leader of the Year Award
The Young Leader of the Year recipient is Damien Clark. Damien is a young leader working at New Plymouth District Council. As Manager Community and Economic Development, he works with the Ngāmotu New Plymouth community to deliver collective action that builds a better future.
"Service to the community for me is an attitude of service consistent through every layer of our work, not just delivery. Yes, in our mahi, but also our teams, our leadership and our organisation, towards an orientation of service. This shifts us from service to the community towards service with our community where we co-create the change that transforms lives." – Damien Clark
Read more about Damien and his work here:
Delivering collective action to build a better community in Ngāmotu New Plymouth
William Bean
Recipient of Te Tohu Oranga Angitū | Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is William (Bill) Bean for his work with Department of Corrections | Ara Poutama Aotearoa.
For 46 years, Bill has dedicated his life to empowering people in prison through practical skill-building, mentorship, and heartfelt compassion. He began his journey as a prison officer in 1979 and for the past 27 years, he has led the prison’s horticulture programme.
“People in prisons are not only nursery workers, growers, labourers, potential horticulturalists/agriculturalists; they are fathers, brothers, husbands, uncles, friends and part of a wider whānau. In helping them towards becoming rehabilitated, we are helping everyone their lives touch.” – Bill Bean
Read more about Bill and his work here:
A dedication to rehabilitating and empowering people in prison
