Celebrating the innovation, resilience and excellence of Aotearoa's world-class events industry.
Qualifying Period: 8 April 2025 – 7 April 2026
Enter Now — Closes 19 April 2026Why Enter
Give your people, stakeholders and suppliers the recognition they deserve. These awards honour the people who push our industry forward.
Honour outstanding events and suppliers delivering exceptional experiences for communities right across New Zealand.
Finalists and winners gain national recognition, media exposure and a powerful endorsement of the quality work you deliver.
Join the industry's night of nights.
Wednesday 5 August 2026
NZICC, Auckland
Key Dates
Process
Visit nzea.co/awards and set up your profile in the online entry portal.
You can enter multiple categories. Browse below to find your best fit.
Save as a draft and return as many times as needed before submitting.
Entries must be submitted by 11:59pm, Sunday 19 April 2026. Fees apply on final submission.
Late entries accepted until 11:59pm, Thursday 23 April 2026 (late fee applies). · View Terms & Conditions →
Pricing
Not yet a member? Join NZEA before entering to access member pricing.
Fees charged on final submission — save as draft while you work on it.
Click any category to expand the full award description, eligibility, and judging criteria.
Recognises event or sponsorship professionals with under five years' experience (as at 7 April 2026) who demonstrate outstanding leadership and industry potential. No age limit.
Proudly Sponsored by NZICCIndividuals directly delivering or sponsoring events, or supporting events via a venue, supplier, or local government.
Under five years in the industry? Your achievements deserve national recognition. Entries close 19 April 2026.
Recognises professionals with a significant career — typically 6+ years' experience — where the qualifying year demonstrates exceptional excellence and outstanding performance.
Individuals delivering or sponsoring events, or supporting events via a venue, supplier, or local government.
Your industry expertise and leadership are the benchmark others aspire to. Nominate yourself or a colleague today.
Recognises outstanding arts, cultural, or heritage events — regardless of organisation size or event budget.
Proudly Sponsored by TicketmasterOrganisations that own, create, deliver, or manage arts, cultural, or heritage events such as exhibitions, cultural performances or celebrations, and commemoration events. (Concerts and live music → enter Music Event of the Year.)
If your event celebrated heritage, arts or culture — it belongs in this category. Enter by 19 April 2026.
Recognises excellence in business events of any size — both Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C).
Proudly Sponsored by CventOrganisations that own, deliver, or manage business events — conferences, activations, awards events, CSR events, exhibitions, and all other B2B/B2C activities.
Conferences, activations, exhibitions — if it drove outcomes, it deserves to be recognised. Enter by 19 April 2026.
Recognises excellence in events with fewer than 3,000 participants delivered to meet community needs or for cause-related fundraising and awareness.
Not-for-Profits or partners delivering community, social, or environmental initiatives; charities or trusts using events to deliver these initiatives. You may be an event manager, event owner, trust or charity.
Small events can create enormous change. If your event made a difference, tell that story here.
Recognises excellence in events with more than 3,000 participants delivered to meet community needs or for cause-related fundraising and awareness.
Not-for-Profits or partners delivering community, social, or environmental initiatives; charities or trusts using events to deliver these initiatives.
Large-scale community events that create lasting change — this is the category to enter.
Recognises excellence in event sponsorship that delivers strong outcomes for all stakeholders through a cohesive, integrated strategy. Open to all levels — budget and event size are not factors.
Organisations that invest in, initiate, or receive sponsorship to deliver events — including sponsors, event managers/owners, trusts, and charities.
2026 is the inaugural year for Event Sponsorship of the Year. Make history — enter now.
Recognises excellence in food, beverage, or lifestyle events — food/wine/beer festivals, garden shows, special-interest expos. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Organisations that own, deliver, or manage food, beverage, or lifestyle events.
Food, wine, lifestyle — if your event created memorable experiences, enter here.
Recognises excellence in events owned or delivered by local government. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Local government organisations: councils, regional councils, regional tourism organisations, economic development agencies, council-controlled organisations. Note: events receiving local government support but delivered externally are not eligible — they may enter other categories.
Council-owned and delivered events that serve communities — enter and showcase your impact.
Recognises excellence in sports events. Event budget and size are irrelevant.
Proudly Sponsored by TicketekOrganisations that own, deliver, or manage sports events.
From local events to national spectacles — if you delivered excellence on the field or off it, enter here.
Recognises excellence in music-focused events — concerts, festivals, performances, tours, one-off or series. Budget and event size are irrelevant.
Proudly Sponsored by APRAOrganisations that own, deliver, or manage music events.
Festivals, concerts, tours — if it moved an audience, it can win an award. Enter now.
Recognises successful hosting and/or delivery of an internationally significant event in New Zealand, generating profile or visitation from outside New Zealand. Typically owned by an international rights-holder with a local delivery partner.
Proudly Sponsored by BidfoodOrganisations that own, deliver, or manage major or mega events.
If your event drew international attention to Aotearoa, this is your award. Enter now.
Recognises excellence in event marketing and creative concepts — graphic design, design & build, theming, and more.
Proudly Sponsored by Phantom BillstickersSuppliers and organisations that own/deliver/manage events, or individuals/organisations contracted to deliver event marketing/creative — entering with event owner's approval.
Did your marketing or creative concept elevate an event? Show the judges what you made. Enter now.
Recognises outstanding service or product suppliers supporting the events industry. Suppliers of innovative products/services or marketing/creative may wish to consider those specific categories.
Proudly Sponsored by NZMESuppliers/contractors across catering, labour hire, rigging, transport, logistics, technology, agencies, PR, accommodation, security, waste, communications, legal services, and more.
Outstanding service deserves outstanding recognition. Enter by 19 April 2026.
Recognises outstanding environmental sustainability initiatives across the events sector — including sustainable events and sustainability-focused products, services, or organisational practices.
Suppliers/contractors, event owners/managers, or sponsors.
Sustainability initiatives that made a real difference. Enter here and inspire the whole industry.
Recognises outstanding diversity, equity, and inclusivity-focused events that champion belonging and representation.
Event owners/managers, or sponsors.
If your event championed inclusion and broke down barriers, this award was made for you.
For event venues — stadiums, convention centres, private function venues, sporting venues, community venues — that delivered an exceptional event during the qualifying period.
Proudly Supported by EVANZAny New Zealand event venue that hosted an outstanding event during the qualifying period.
Great venues make great events. Enter and show the industry what exceptional hosting looks like.
Special Awards
These two awards are not entered in the same way — read on for details.
All finalists from the Excellence Award categories are automatically entered. The event with the most public votes during the voting timeline wins. Voting opens July 2026 via a public poll — first past the post wins. Finalists are encouraged to mobilise their audiences.
No separate entry required — finalist status from another category is your ticket in.
Recognises an individual or team with an outstanding contribution to advancing the New Zealand events industry — either across a career or a specific multi-year project. By third-party nomination only.
Judging: NZEA conducts preliminary research on nominees. The NZEA Board may also nominate. The Board shortlists, consults industry leaders, and decides the winner. No finalists announced — winner revealed at the Gala.
Submit a NominationOne of the best reasons to enter the Awards? Your work will be seen by an outstanding panel of judges drawn from across the events, sponsorship, supplier, and business sectors.
Every entry is carefully reviewed, and you'll receive valuable feedback from some of the most experienced professionals in the industry.
Writing a winning entry takes skill. We can connect you with expert writers who know how to make your work shine.
Don't miss your chance to be recognised at Aotearoa's most prestigious events industry night.
