Western Bay of Plenty District Council is the first local authority to win a silver award from the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation on its first attempt and just the fourth local authority to even receive it.

Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Ross Paterson.

The Business Excellence Awards are based on an international criteria and scoring system, plus a rigorous four-step assessment process. They are the only awards in New Zealand fully aligned to the internationally respected US Baldridge criteria and only three gold awards have been presented in New Zealand in the past 14 years.
WBOPDC chief executive Glenn Snelgrove set sights on the award five years ago in the belief that the strength of his organisation was based on its commitment to an integrated planning approach, proven service delivery and rigorous monitoring of performance.

'To receive a silver award on our first attempt is a huge endorsement of the council team and our approach to operations management,” says Glenn.
'The business excellence journey has been about making sure every system, process and activity of our business directly aligns with the needs of our customers.
'By this approach, winning endorsement as international best practice, we are well placed to meet the challenges of serving one of New Zealand's fastest growing areas.”