Southland engineer wins award
A Southland District Council engineer has been named as the 2018 winner of the Brookfields Emerging Leader of Year Award.
The Southland District Council’s senior project engineer for water and waste services, Matt Keil, received the award from the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers at an awards gala in Auckland earlier this month.
Keil was one of several winners across the various awards categories.
Judges said Keil’s strong leadership attitude, technical expertise, and commitment to engagement stood out.
The society’s manager of professional development Fiona Purchas said Keil had a commitment to making the council water industry accessible and understandable.
‘‘He has led some significant infrastructure projects and has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development.’’
Keil said it was both surprising and humbling to have won the award.
‘‘These sorts of things are always reflective of a team effort, not just an individual one.
‘‘I’ve been fortunate to have worked under some well-regarded industry mentors over the years. I’ve always been well supported at council to undertake training and development, and to professionally challenge myself.’’
Keil also acknowledged the support role his grandparents Lesley and Pik Rewi played in his attaining the honour.
‘‘They have supported and challenged me from day one of my own journey, both professionally and personally, and without them I would not have achieved what I have.’’
The Brookfields Emerging Leader of the Year Award is presented to an individual with a proven track record of delivering innovative and successful programmes or projects.
Sponsored by Brookfields Lawyers, it includes a fully paid trip to attend the ICMA Annual Conference in the United States, the largest annual event in the world for those in local government.
Keil said there would be 4000 delegates from 30 countries at the conference. ‘‘The key thing in Baltimore is witnessing all the things happening in the local government space around the world ... it’s pretty exciting.’’
The society’s chief executive Karen Thomas said the awards gala was a special event for the local government sector.
‘‘It recognises the outstanding contribution and commitment to communities. Throughout New Zealand local government professionals are working on inspiring and collaborative projects and investing in their professional development.
‘‘We are proud to acknowledge and celebrate this, and the important impact that local government professionals have on the communities we all serve.’’