Whakatāne District Council’s Moutohorā Muttonbirds were just half a point away from taking out the top spot in the 2014 Australasian Local Government Management Challenge. 110 teams throughout Australasia entered the competition, and the Muttonbirds achieved a very creditable second place overall, having won the right to represent New Zealand in the Melbourne finals by taking out the regional event in May. 

Marty Grenfell, Whakatāne District Council Chief Executive says, “This is the first time that Whakatāne has entered a team, and for us to feature on the podium in Australia is absolutely outstanding and an indicator of the hard work the team has put in.”

The challenge sees teams from local government organisations throughout the region compete in problem-solving exercises addressing real industry themes. The competition tests a broad range of local government-focused management skills and culminates with a challenge day, where teams are required to deliver on a number of tasks.

Henry Pipkin, Council’s Human Resources Manager and team mentor says, “The challenge is a valuable way for staff to gain practical experience on issues and challenges that local authorities face. I am so proud of my team who were within half a point of becoming the overall challenge winners.”