Te Hāpai Hāpori/Spirit of Service Awards recognise public sector achievement in Aotearoa-New Zealand
24 November 2021
● News and media
Outstanding public sector achievement in Aotearoa-New Zealand has been recognised in this year’s Te Hāpai Hāpori/Spirit of Service Awards, which were presented at a virtual event on 24 November.
Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes, an ANZSOG Board member, said that the awards were a chance to recognise and celebrate outstanding service and achievement from the public service.
“It is unfortunate that we can’t get together in person and celebrate, but it is great that we can get together virtually to recognise the amazing work that the public service has done throughout the year,” he said.
“We can see the Spirt of Service shining through in all of the entries we have received, especially the winners. I am proud of our public services and I thank you for the passion, commitment and personal integrity you bring to your work, and to making a difference for our communities.”
ANZSOG is a sponsor of the Awards, and New Zealand Executive Director Sally Washington presented the Māori Crown Relationships Award, which was awarded to Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga | Archives New Zealand and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
The Award recognised a new partnership designed to preserve the Ngāi Tahu iwi’s archives at the state-of-the-art Archives New Zealand facility in Wigram. This will allow the Ngāi Tahu iwi to better preserve its archives, and to make them more widely accessible.
The Awards are made across five categories: Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana/Better Outcomes Award; Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira/Service Excellence Award; Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna/ Māori Crown Relationships Award; Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Mahi Whakahaere/ Leadership in Governance Award; Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau/Young Leader of the Year Award.
The full list of winners is below:
Leadership in Governance Award:
Te Papa Tongarewa | Museum of New Zealand
Māori Crown Relationships Award:
Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga | Archives New Zealand and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Service Excellence Award:
Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service
Manawatū District Council
Better Outcomes Award – awarded jointly to:
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health (on behalf of the overall health sector response)
Agencies involved in Aotearoa- New Zealand’s COVID-19 border response (Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi | Aviation Security Services, Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Civil Aviation Authority, Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service, Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa | New Zealand Defence Force, Nō te Rere Moana Aotearoa | Maritime New Zealand, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health, Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport
Young Leader of the Year Award – awarded jointly to:
Isaiah Apiata (Oranga Tamariki)
April Kwak (New Zealand Customs Service)
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Tā Wira Gardiner (presented at a special ceremony on 19 November 2021)
The Prime Minister’s Award was jointly presented to the Better Outcomes Award winners Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health and the agencies involved in Aotearoa-New Zealand’s COVID-19 border response.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said public servants had shown their dedication to serving New Zealanders in incredibly challenging circumstances over the past two years.
“Our joint winners delivered incredible outcomes, given the complexity of the challenge of COVID-19, and played a vital role in keeping our community safe,” she said.
Tā Wira Gardiner was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award on 19 November for his long and distinguished career, which has included roles as the founding Director of the Waitangi Tribunal, founding General Manager of the Iwi Transition Authority, founding Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri, and Lieutenant Colonel in the New Zealand Army.
The citation said that: “Tā Wira is motivated by a higher calling to serve his community. His contributions go above and beyond this dedication to the Public Service. He is a Māori leader and an educator, scholar, historian, and author.”
The full list of finalists and winners, as well as more information visit the Te Hāpai Hāpori/Spirit of Service Awards.