Published in the National Business Review of 18 July 2008

Wellington City Council has won the top award for its annual report for the second year in a row, and The New Zealand Refining Company has the best annual report for a large corporate.

The annual report awards were organised by the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants which would not disclose the number of entries saying it would be "inappropriate" to do so.

The judges said the Wellington City Council's annual report "was an especially impressive accountability and communication document. The 204 page report covered comprehensively all aspects the panel expected to see in an annual report and did so with verve and style. It has taken local authority annual reporting to a new benchmark."

Telecom was commended for its annual report in the large corporate category and won Best Governance Reporting by a corporate. The electricity lines company, Marlborough Lines Ltd, won in the mid sized corporate award.

Chief Judge Martin Matthews said preparing a good annual report was a sign that the organisation had an equally strong commitment to sound performance "- such a commitment is something that we need to recognise and value."

Mr Matthews has just been appointed Secretary for Transport and is a former Assistant Auditor-General.

The awards are dominated by central and local government and the not for profit sector, although the award for Best Sustainability Reporting by a Corporate was shared by Vodafone New Zealand Limited and the fishing company, Sanford Ltd, with a commendation to the insurer, IAG Limited. Sanford also shared the award last year while IAG got a commendation.

MidCentral District Health Board won the award for best annual report by a government organisation, and the award for best annual report by a public sector commercial organisation went to Auckland's Watercare Services.

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind won in the service/volunteer category and the best annual report by a tertiary education institution was won by the Manukau Institute of Technology.