Published: 19 June 2026
Hutt City Council's Tumuaki Māori Kaanihi Butler-Hare has received the 2026 Sheffield Emerging Leader of the Year Award presented at the LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards held in Wellington last night.
The award recognises local government leaders aged 35 and under who have delivered innovative projects and programmes with a positive impact on their communities.
Kaanihi Butler-Hare was recognised for his leadership in strengthening relationships between iwi, Māori organisations, and central and local government agencies. As an emerging leader, he has made a significant contribution early in his career.
He led the refresh of Tākai Here partnership agreements between Hutt City Council and Mana Whenua. Kaanihi has built the Te Ao Māori capability of colleagues at Council and led the development of Te Herenga Kairangi. This is the first Māori strategy consolidating all council work aimed at improving community outcomes in Te Awa Kairangi Ki Tai, Lower Hutt.
First securing the role with Hutt City Council on secondment from Mana Whenua partner Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa, Kaanihi was instrumental in the coordination of the Covid-19 response, ensuring thousands of people had basic necessities. As a result of the co-ordinated response our city had one of the highest vaccination rates in the country for Māori.
Kaanihi also facilitated tikanga processes including pōwhiri, rāhui, and kawenga whare. He is a leader of his generation who will take up the mantle of his Iwi in the years to come.
At a governance level Kaanihi brings together the Quarterly Mana Whenua hui which includes the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Māori Ward Councillor, Chief Executive and senior leaders alongside the Chairs and Chief Executives of five Iwi entities. This is a pivotal forum, firmly focused on changing outcomes for all who live in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.
The judging panel described Butler-Hare as representing "the pinnacle of next-generation bicultural leadership" recognising his ability to combine professionalism, humility and mātauranga Māori to deliver lasting impact.
As part of the award, Butler-Hare will attend the 2026 International City/County Management Association Conference in Long Beach, California where local government leaders from around the world will share ideas, insights and best practice.
The award highlights the important role emerging leaders play in shaping strong, connected and inclusive communities.