2009 LGMA Management Challenge - New Zealand leg

Auckland City Council's 'ACE T' won the 2009 LGMA Management Challenge - New Zealand leg and represented New Zealand at the Australasian Finals held in Melbourne in July 2009. 

ACE T is represented by David Giffen, Louise Suttie, Sally Grey, Jason Marris, Alicia Taylor and James Young.

Ten teams from 11 local authorities competed in the New Zealand leg of the LGMA Management Challenge at Upper Hutt on March 17 and 18.

“This was the lowest number of teams for some time, reflecting the unfortunate timing of the challenge relative to the preparation of LTCCPs,” says Don McKay, SOLGM Manager Good Practice and Policy.

“On the other hand, the judges felt that the average standard of performance by the teams ’on the day’ was probably the highest ever, with several teams looking more than capable of representing New Zealand with credit at the Australasian final in Melbourne during June.”

The participating local authorities were:

• Environment Waikato - 'Waikato Waka'
• Gore District Council - 'm6'
• Manukau City Council - 'Full Team Ahead'
• Horowhenua District Council - 'Team Nua'
• New Plymouth District Council - 'Taranaki Terror'
• Dunedin City Council - 'Clan Dunedin'
• Auckland City Council - 'ACE T'
• Hastings District Council - 'Hooked on Hastings'
• Southland District Council - 'Southern Inspirations'
• Rangitikei District/Manawatu District (combined team) - 'Managangitans'

Tavish Council

As usual, teams were pitched into the role of the senior management team of Tavish Council (the fictitious Australasian local authority of indeterminate location – “where the breeze meets the sea!”). This year’s challenge was nothing if not topical. The main thread of the challenge was preparation of the forward capital plan in the context of the global economic downturn, and the need for Tavish Council to define an appropriate fiscal strategy for the times.

Teams were required to grapple with this against the backdrop of a relationship meltdown between the Mayor and Chief Executive, while simultaneously “fighting fires” to do with performance management and a damaging leak/security breach at the council’s offices.

The nine tasks teams were required to complete included three role-plays and a joint presentation along with various written deliverables.

First-time entrants

It was great to have some “first time entrants” from Hastings, Horowhenua, and in particular, the combined team representing the Rangitikei and Manawatu Districts.

The idea of combined teams from smaller local authorities is one that has become more commonplace in the Australian state challenges over the past couple of years. This is a way for staff from smaller local authorities to access the learning opportunity of the challenge without the council having to find a complete six-person team of their own.

Centralised venue

For the first time the challenge was held at a single centralised venue, rather than as a series of regional events. This allowed the addition to the programme of a pre-challenge reception where the teams for each day were able to mix and mingle.

Feedback suggests that participants enjoyed the opportunity to meet the contestants from other councils and that this really did add value to the challenge as an event.

Feedback from Participants

"While we knew we had been challenged we did make it through. The experience has grown my confidence in my role it was good to see others struggle and overcome their inhibitions when meeting and finishing the challenge."

"Enjoy the difficult level of the challenges – for someone new to council / local government the tasks were a good level of challenge."

"Good spectrum of issues thrown into the pot for the challenge. All aspects of management tested."

"Being new to local government the challenge really summed up what my role is all about. Working with my team we accomplished a lot compared to working individually it would be difficult to deliver the results achieved collectively.  An awesome experience."