Wanganui District Council's push to have the city and surrounding rural areas connected to broadband earned it a highly commended citation at the Local Government New Zealand excellence awards.
Wanganui was a finalist in the economic contribution category for its 100% Connected project, just missing out on the top prize to Hauraki District Council for its rail trail at the ceremony on Monday night, which was part of the LGNZ conference.
LGNZ president Lawrence Yule said: "Our judges considered the council showed leadership by ensuring the Government's fibre optic network was built in urban areas as soon as possible, then setting about rolling it out to rural Wanganui, even to quite remote settlements."
Wanganui mayor Annette Main was at the local government conference, which the awards were part of, in Nelson, along with councillor Jenny Duncan and chief executive Kevin Ross.
Deputy mayor Hamish McDouall said having the project recognised nationally was exciting news for the council.
It aimed to raise internet connectivity in Wanganui via a range of means which would help schools, business and the rural sector, and keep young people in the district.
"I would also congratulate Marianne Archibald who's been a really key leader in the digital world in Wanganui," he said.
Rangitikei District Council was also up for an award in the community impact category but missed out.
RDC's work with the Path To Wellbeing Initiative, which encouraged 95 social services agencies to work together, lost out to Kawerau District Council for its Kawerau Adopt a Nation - 2013 World Rafting Champs.