Hutt City Council is proud to have won the Innovation Award at the Te Hapai Hapori/Spirit of Service Awards 2025, recognising the sector-leading impact of its AI-Volution initiative.

The Public Service Commission-backed awards were held last night at Wellington’s Tākina Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Council was honoured for its AI-Volution initiative, an unapologetically bold leap into the future of public service and a rare example of local government winning at these awards.

Council Chief Executive Jo Miller says at a time when councils across Aotearoa must change the way they work, we chose not to tinker at the edges but to reimagine what’s possible.

"By embedding generative AI (GenAI) across our operations, we are radically changing how services are delivered, staff are empowered, and community outcomes are achieved.

"With 15 custom-built AI assistants and 300 licences rolled out at speed, AI-Volution is already delivering measurable impact: reclaiming 44,000 staff hours per year, realising $900,000 in annual savings, and enabling faster, more responsive services for residents."

Miller says the rollout of AI across Council has freed up staff time, allowing them to work smarter and focus on the mahi that matters most.

"We know there are challenges in the local government sector but this award recognises that through innovation we can chart a course to navigate these challenges.

"It also affirms our leadership as an early adopter of GenAI in the public sector. By openly sharing its frameworks, templates, and lessons, we’re helping councils across Aotearoa embrace innovation in the service of their communities.

"The team responsible for embedding AI in Council deserve big accolades, as do all the staff who have embraced and accepted the technology.

"We’re proud to be recognised for our innovation and the lead we’re taking but we’ve only scratched the surface. There’s much more we aim to achieve," Miller says.

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