Western Bay of Plenty District Council's collaborative management style has seen it win the Australasian grand final of the Local Government Management Challenge.

The 20-year-old competition is Australia and New Zealand's premier forum for current and emerging local government leaders.

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council team has won the Local Government Management Challenge in Melbourne.

'The team saw the challenge as an opportunity to test this approach in a high pressure atmosphere and they're delighted to have come out on top,” says Western Bay of Plenty District Council CEO Glenn Snelgrove.

'The win is also further validation of the organisation's continuous improvement philosophy that was recognised with a silver award by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation in 2009.”

More than 100 teams began the competition with the seven regional winners from Australia joining Western Bay in the final on Friday.

Teams competing in Melbourne were given seven tasks including presentations, reports, role playing exercises, and interviews, which needed to be completed in one day.

Everyone who participates in the challenge - from experienced managers to emerging leaders - comes away with new and practical insights into excellence in leadership and management, says Western Bay team mentor Miriam Taris.

'More than any other traditional training or leadership programme the Australasian Management Challenge assists councils to build exceptional staff capacity and capability to manage an increasingly complex and challenging operating environment,” says Miriam.

'From integrated planning and monitoring to customer service and community engagement, the Western Bay team drew on their own experience and of all their colleagues at the council to win the event.”

Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) CEO Karen Thomas says the win is great for local government in New Zealand.

'It is very encouraging to see councils such as the Western Bay of Plenty District Council taking capability development seriously,” says Karen.

'It not only benefits the organisation but more importantly the community. Good management is at the core of delivering best outcomes for New Zealand communities.”

Councillors are looking forward to officially acknowledging the success of the team on their return from Australia, says Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayor, Ross Paterson.

'It's a great result for Western Bay and certainly is a credit to our CEO, senior staff and the rest of the council team.

'It also shows operations management across the local government sector is in very good shape, particularly considering another New Zealand team, from Hastings District Council, won last year's LGMA Challenge, the first kiwi team to have done so since 2006.”

Second runner up in the 2013 LGMA Challenge is the City of Darwin, with Townsville City Council taking out first runner up.

The Western Bay team's travel and accommodation are sponsored by SOLGM and Local Government Managers Australia.

The Great Western Bay Collaboration won the right to represent New Zealand after winning the national title in Wellington in March.

Brief videos on the Australasian Management Challenge and the 2013 winning team, The Great Western Bay Collaboration, can be found at:

http://www.solgm.org.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=231

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-rbc6wR5Bk