Tēnā koutou i roto i ngā āhuatanga i te wā
Our public servants do a great job. They go about their work quietly, without expecting any thanks. So, it’s fitting we recognise those who go the extra mile.
That’s what Te Hāpai Hāpori | Spirit of Service Awards are all about. The Awards recognise and acknowledge some of the incredible work public servants do every day for New Zealand and New Zealanders.
I’m pleased to announce entries for the 2021 Spirit of Service Awards are now open through to Monday 31 May.
It’s just over a year since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic and it remains a huge and complex challenge around the world. We’ve seen the spirit of service in action right across the system with innovative and creative advances in the Public Service’s contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s response. Last year’s Awards fittingly acknowledged some of those significant contributions.
While it’s easy for the immediate focus to be on our COVID response, that work is being done against the backdrop of ‘business as usual’, where agencies, organisations and entities throughout the public sector continue to focus on delivering outcomes that improve the way we live, work, play and learn.
The Spirit of Service Awards celebrate our work and how we do it, whether in response to an emergency situation or finding an innovative and collaborative way of tackling longstanding and challenging issues that face us as a country.
The Award categories include outstanding public sector governance, young leaders and initiatives that deliver great outcomes motivated by a spirit of service to the community. They are open to organisations from across central and local government, including Crown entities. Entries are welcome from single agencies or collaborative initiatives, which may include partners from outside the public sector.
You’ll find all the information you need to enter the five categories for the Spirit of Service Awards here. Award winners will be announced in September.
I look forward to celebrating and giving well deserved recognition to some of the hardest working people we all know.
Hei konā mai i roto i ngā mihi!
