Waikato Regional Council has applied to be part of Local Government New Zealand's new Excellence Programme.

The programme was developed in response to the 2015 New Zealand Local Government Survey, which showed there's opportunities to lift and demonstrate the service and value councils deliver to their communities.

It is designed to demonstrate and improve the value and services of councils by measuring qualitative and quantitative indicators across leadership, finance, service delivery and community engagement.

Through the programme participating councils will be assessed every three years, given a standard from A to C, and the results publicised. Councils will discuss results with communities and use the assessments to plan improvements.

The regional council will find out next month whether it will become one of the founding council participating in the programme.