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New Zealand Planning Institutes Supreme Award for Excellence in Planning Practice.

The Nancy Northcroft Planning Practice Award is the Institutes supreme award for excellence in planning practice. It shall be made annually to any member or organisation, group or body, provided that such organisation, group or body has amongst its number a member of the New Zealand Planning Institute.

The award will recognise excellence in planning practice and shall recognise: -

  • Creativity and innovation in the methods involved,
  • The quality and innovation of presentation of any report or material,
  • The extent to which best-practice planning process and practice, including sustainable management is promoted.
The Nancy Northcroft Award will be selected by the Awards Committee from the winners of the Best Practice Award across all categories and the Project Award.


Award Winners

  • 2019

    Christchurch City Council Urban Design, Regeneration and Heritage Unit and Community Support, Governance and Partnership Unit
    - Supporting community-led planning and place-making

  • 2018

    New Plymouth District Council and Isovist Ltd
    - Building a Digital District Plan

  • 2017

    Waimakariri District Council, Greater Christchurch Group within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu & Te Ngāi Tū Ahuriri Rūnanga
    - Draft Waimakariri Residential Red Zone Recovery Plan

  • 2016

    Harrison Grierson and Auckland Council
    - Scott Point Structure Plan and Plan Variation

  • 2015

    Bloxam Burnett and Olliver and NZTA
    - Huntly Section of the Waikato Expressway

  • 2014

    Campbell Brown Planning Ltd
    - Sunderland Hobsonville Point Development Plan

  • 2013

    Te Mana o Ngati Rangitihi Trust, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Boffa Miskell
    - Ngati Rangitihi Iwi Environment Management Plan

  • 2012

    Selwyn District Council and Planit Associates
    - Selwyn District Plan Change 7

  • 2011

    Auckland Council, AUT, University of Auckland and Committee for
    - Auckland Auckland Learning Quarter Plan

    Waipa District Council, Beca and C&M Planning
    - Waipa 2050

  • 2010

    Auckland City Council
    - Future Planning Framework

    Boffa Miskell, Masterton District Council, Carterton District Council and South Wairarapa District Council
    - Proposed Wairarapa Combined District Plan

  • 2009

    Taupo District Council, Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board & Barker & Associates
    - The Joint Management Agreement

  • 2008

    Beca International and the Government of Samoa
    - Samoa Coastal Infrastructure Management Plans

    Urbanism+ Ltd
    - Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy

  • 2007

    Wellington City Council
    - 2006 Strategic Review

  • 2006

    Quality Planning Management Panel
    - Quality Planning RMA Enforcement Manual

  • 2006

    Ministry for the Environment and the Year of the Built Environment 2005 Steering Group
    - Year of the Built Environment 2005

    Wellington City Council
    - Residential Character Study of Newtown, Berhampore and Mount Cook

  • 2005

    Land Transport NZ, Opus International Consultants Ltd, Dorrestyn & Co Pty Ltd & Roger Boulter Consulting
    - Land Transport NZ Cycle Network and Route Planning Guide

    Ministry for the Environment
    - New Zealand Urban Design Protocol

    Urban Strategy Group - Wellington City Council
    - Planning Review

    Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd and Grasshopper Properties (NZ) Ltd assisted by S& L Consultants in association with Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council & the Bay of Plenty Regional Council
    - Pyes Pa West Urban Growth Area, Private Plan Changes and Resource Consents 2003-2004

  • 2004

    Chow:Hill in association with Klu-dup
    - Wintec Strategic Planning Report 2003

  • 2003

    Sinclair Knight Merz and Hill Young Cooper Ltd
    - People + Places + Spaces - a design guide for Urban New Zealand 2002 Environment Southland Deed of Agreement with New Zealand Cruise Ship Industry

  • 2002

    North Shore City Council
    - Project 2020: City Blueprint 2002 Christchurch City Council Charleston Neighbourhood Plan

  • 2001

    Hastings District Council & Opus International Consultants Ltd
    - Hastings District Council for the Hastings District Landmarks Commission Development Plan

    Hastings District Council & Beca Carter Hollings And Ferner
    - Hastings Coastal Environment Plan

  • 2000

    Waikato District Council
    - State of the Environment Report – Our Plane – A Profile

  • 1999

    Manukau City Council
    - State of the Environment Report 1999 New Plymouth District Council Proposed District Plan

  • 1998

    North Shore City Council
    - District Plan Monitoring Report 1997/98

  • 1997

    Nelson City Council
    - Nelson Resource Management Plan

  • 1995

    Auckland City Council
    - Hauraki Gulf Islands Section of the Auckland City District Plan

    North Shore City Council
    - North Shore City Strategic Plan Preparation Process

    Wellington Regional Council
    - Wellington Regional Policy Statement

  • 1994

    Environmental Planning & Assessment

    Ministry for the Environment
    - Section 32 A Guide to Good Practice

    Transit New Zealand
    - Two volume document – “Transit New Zealand and the Environment” and ” Planning for a Safe and Efficient State Highway Network Under the Resource Management Act 1991