Spirit of Service Awards 2025

Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana | Better Outcomes Award celebrates the achievement of significant outcomes in areas that matter most for the long-term wellbeing for New Zealanders.​ 

MCSSA – Microsoft Cloud Software & Services Agreement Project 

Department of Internal Affairs, Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand and Government Communications and Security Bureau

The Microsoft Cloud Software & Services Agreement (MCSSA) Project is a highly collaborative, cross-agency project delivering a Cloud contract that strengthens digital security, resilience, and governance. It enables greater Cloud adoption across government, driving long-term efficiencies, unlocking innovation, and ensuring equitable access to benefits for all agencies. 

Let’s Go Unpro

Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa

The Unpro campaign is an innovative, influencer-led initiative from Sport NZ aimed at tackling the decline in physical activity among female rangatahi. The campaign generated strong engagement, using some of Gen Z’s most loved personalities to champion a fun, non-judgemental approach to movement. 

OWN IT – driving intergenerational change through housing mobility 

Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC) 

OWN IT is a transformative affordable housing programme led by Tāmaki Regeneration Company that supports whānau into homeownership through a shared ownership model. It breaks down long-standing barriers, creating intergenerational wealth, housing independence, and lasting impact through improved health, education, and social outcomes for the Tāmaki community. 

Te Tohu Auaha Hou | Innovation Award celebrates new approaches or technologies that are creating positive change.​ 

Utaina 

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision & Department of Internal Affairs (Archives New Zealand and National Library) 

Utaina is a world-leading collaboration between Archives NZ, the National Library, and Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision using digital innovation to preserve Aotearoa’s audiovisual heritage. It transforms access to intergenerational knowledge, enabling future-focused engagement with taonga and history through state-of-the-art technology and a strong commitment to cultural preservation and accessibility. 

AI-volution: Harnessing GenAI to Transform Local Government 

Hutt City Council 

AI-Volution is Hutt City Council’s bold leap into digital transformation, embedding GenAI tools to boost agility, reduce inefficiencies, and improve public service. It enables faster, smarter delivery, empowers staff, and sets a replicable benchmark for innovation in local government. 

Border Clearance Mail Pathway Programme 

NZ Post, Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs Service 

The Border Clearance Mail Pathway Programme delivers a new, tech-enabled processing hub integrating NZ Post, MPI, and NZ Customs systems. Through automation, data-sharing, and remote screening, it enhances efficiency, agility and security across international mail and parcel clearance. 

Te Tohu mō Whai Ratonga celebrates outstanding public service contributions to supporting Māori Crown relationships through auahatanga (innovation), whakapūmautanga (durability) and kōwhiringa (opportunities).​ 

Tikanga at the heart of justice reform 

Te Kāhui Tātari Ture | Criminal Cases Review Commission 

Te Kāhui embeds tikanga at its core, shaping investigations, decisions, recruitment, engagement, and care for kaimahi | staff and mōrehu | victims. This foundational approach restores trust and mana and brings Te Tiriti o Waitangi to life through a uniquely tikanga-led justice approach benefiting all New Zealanders. 

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Sustainability Project  

Department of Conservation and Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro  

The Department of Conservation partnered with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to balance visitor impact through culturally grounded, sustainable management. Emphasizing manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga, the project fosters Māori leadership, protects a taonga, and improves outcomes for whānau and the environment. 

Kōhanga Reo Kaimahi Pay Scheme 

Ministry of Education and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust 

Developed in partnership with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust, the Kōhanga Reo Kaimahi Pay Scheme improves pay in a way that is meaningful and appropriate for Kōhanga, minimising financial risks and contributing to the Trust’s strategic goals of growing mokopuna participation and improving the quality of te reo in kōhanga.   

Te Tohu mō te Hiranga o te Mahi Kaupapa Here | Excellence in Public Policy Award celebrates outstanding public policy development.

Here Ora: Preventive measures in a reformed law 

Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission 

Here Ora presents solutions to one of New Zealand’s most challenging legal and policy issues: protecting the community from high-risk criminal offenders. The report recommends a breakthrough approach and innovative and fresh legal design to balance two significant interests: keeping communities safe from harm, and the rights and freedoms of people who have already served a prison sentence for their offending.

Building a more efficient building system

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

MBIE’s ambitious reforms simplify consent processes, reduce costs, and expand product use, innovating within complex policy landscapes. Informed by strong sector and council engagement, these evidence-driven changes balance technical challenges and stakeholder needs to enhance housing affordability and accessibility. 

Leading the way in cat management so biodiversity can thrive

Wellington City Council

Wellington City Council is leading the way in cat management with its 2024 Animal Bylaw, introducing mandatory cat desexing and building on New Zealand’s first mandatory cat microchipping bylaw. This inclusive, evidence-led approach navigated polarising views to build strong community support and balance animal welfare, ownership rights and biodiversity protection. 

Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | The Young Leader of the Year Award celebrates inspirational young public sector leaders.

Damien Clark 

New Plymouth District Council 

Damien’s trust-based leadership drives inclusive community development. From youth advocacy to strategic change, he unites diverse voices, uplifts vulnerable populations, and partners with mana whenua. His humility and purpose-driven service embody the spirit of public leadership that transforms communities from within. 

Alex Loo

NZTA | Waka Kotahi

Alex leads with empathy and innovation, advancing connected vehicle data use for safer transport. She promotes staff wellbeing, mentors new professionals, and serves nationally through Hāpai Public. Her future-focused leadership builds a resilient, connected public service grounded in people’s needs. 

Amy Rice

Tāmaki Regeneration Company (TRC)

Amy led a bold framework transforming Tāmaki’s housing delivery from 0 to 742 homes, unlocking potential for over 10,500 homes. Her values-led leadership, co-developed with key stakeholders, Mana Whenua, community and partners, reshaped practices and empowered communities, exemplifying courageous, inclusive leadership and enduring public impact. 

Te Tohu Rāngai Tūmatanui mō te Tumuaki o Te Tau | Public Sector Director of the Year Award celebrates outstanding public sector governance professionals.  

Michele Embling

Chair, External Reporting Board

Michele has been a key figure in growing the External Reporting Board into a highly respected domestic and international reporting authority. Her inclusive governance, strategic clarity, and championing of diverse thinking empowered the organisation to innovate. Michele builds resilient leadership by creating space for others to grow, reflecting her commitment to lasting impact. 

Shannon Pakura MNZM

Chair, Social Workers Registration Board

As New Zealand’s first registered social worker, Shannon has led the Social Workers Registration Board through mandatory registration, strengthening accountability and public safety. Her practitioner insight shaped a credible, risk-based regulator. She fosters inclusive, participatory governance and champions sustainable leadership within and beyond the social work profession. 

Erica Seville

Commissioner and Chair of People, Culture and Governance Committee  
Natural Hazards Commission

Erica fosters a culture of wellbeing, continuous improvement, and accountability at the Natural Hazards Commission. She implemented performance and remuneration frameworks and drives professional development, supporting leadership with integrity and purpose to enhance public service outcomes. 

Te Tohu Oranga Angitū | The Lifetime Achievement Award honours an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to New Zealand or their community and who exemplifies a spirit of service.

The recipient is selected by the Public Service Commissioner.

Te Tohu a te Pirimia | The Prime Minister’s Award for the overall winner of the year is selected from the winners of the Better Outcomes Award, Innovation Award, Whai Ratonga Māori Crown Award and Excellence in Public Policy Award.​

This award is not open to nominations.