Wairoa District Council’s digital technology focus is being recognised nationally with the appointment of Dr Kimberley Tuapawa to the Board of ALGIM - the Association of Local Government Information Management. 

ALGIM represents national and international interests in information technology, web and digital, information and records management, customer experience, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within Councils across the country.

The appointment of Dr Tuapawa, Council’s Group Manager of Information and Customer Experience puts Wairoa on the technology front for local government and provides the district with a voice on key information management issues as well as connecting Wairoa with the latest IT developments.

Dr Tuapawa said her appointment allows the expertise of the Wairoa District Council’s IT team to be shared with Wairoa’s work around digital technology, information management and customer experience used to support other Council’s around New Zealand.

“Wairoa’s involvement at a national level is particularly relevant as ALGIM’s key focus areas are represented by the work that is being completed by Council staff. These include information technology and management, GIS and mapping systems, cybersecurity and privacy, records management, archives and customer experience.”

Dr Tuapawa said ALGIM has recognised Wairoa District Council is playing a big game in the GIS space and Council’s joint geospatial project has been forward as ‘Project of the Year’ at this year’s ALGIM awards.

In 2019, Council received two ALGIM awards for the Best Digital Project which acknowledged the development of the regional website by all of Hawke’s Bay’s Councils and the Most Improved Best Customer Service award which recognised Council’s delivery of exceptional customer experiences.

Wairoa District Council chief executive officer Kitea Tipuna said Kimberley’s appointment puts Wairoa at the forefront of digital technology.

“It is great to see Dr Tuapawa and the work of our local staff being recognised. Kimberley’s appointment is also a win for small Councils and demonstrates that with the right resources and people smaller Councils like Wairoa can foot it at a national level.

In confirming Dr Tuapawa’s appointment, ALGIM chief executive Mike Manson said there was a strong field of applicants, but Kimberley shone as a talented person who would make a difference for the sector through the ALGIM Board.

7 October 2021

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