Auckland Council’s iconic Tepid Baths has won the New Zealand Project Management Institute’s (PMINZ) Public Sector Project of the Year award.

The award, presented at the PMINZ Project Management Awards on Tuesday 25 September in Wellington, recognised excellence in special project management methods and project management knowledge areas.

Awards judge Gary Billingham says PMINZ recognised that the project had all the hard project management skills required, but the council also paid attention to areas that are frequently missed, particularly local interest, heritage and cultural awareness.

"This combination made it stand out in a group of exceptionally high quality nominations," he says.

Auckland Council Acting Chief Operating Officer Ian Maxwell says the Tepid Baths restoration and upgrade, together with operational implementation, is an example of smart and innovative project management, exemplary collaboration and meticulous heritage protection.

"The Tepid Baths epitomises Auckland Council’s vision of a liveable city: celebrating and protecting our heritage and providing a modern and functional recreation facility that all Aucklanders can use and enjoy," he says.

"This project required a significant rebuild of the Tepid Baths in a condensed timeframe, within a pre-determined budget, under strict heritage guidelines and with the end-goal of providing a community pool and fitness centre in the city centre.

"Disciplined project management and a good working relationship with our architects, heritage experts and construction partners were essential," he says.