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The finalists have been announced for the 2024 Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence and the list includes well-established favourites as well as fresh newcomers to the industry.
Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are the longest running, most prestigious national awards that honour the achievements of the hardworking and talented people who are the heart and soul of New Zealand’s accommodation and food and beverage sectors.
Now in its 26th year, the awards, which are hosted by Hospitality New Zealand, will be announced at ceremonies being held across two nights in July, recognising both businesses and people.
The business awards, sponsored by Lion New Zealand, celebrate the excellent businesses across the hospitality industry. Award categories include: The Best Destination Venue, Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Hotel, Best Motel and more.
The people awards, sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, recognise the exceptional people in the hospitality industry, and categories include: Hospitality Leader of The Year, Accommodation Leader of the Year, Future Leader of the Year, Chef of the Year and Supplier of the Year.
The People’s Choice Award is the only publicly voted award in the annual awards, with all other categories decided on by a panel of judges.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage says those judging the awards had no easy task.
“We were thrilled by the number of high calibre entries to this year’s awards – I know that the judges had a tough time whittling them down to the selected finalists,” he says.
“Many operators and staff in the hospitality and accommodation sector go above and beyond to provide exceptional manaakitanga to their communities and customers, and while we can’t award each and every one, it’s great to be able to give recognition to those at the top of their game and celebrate the industry as a whole.”
Lion has been a long-time sponsor of the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence, and Lion NZ managing director Craig Baldie says the awards are an annual highlight for the industry.
“We are delighted to support the Awards again this year. The bar continues to be raised and we look forward to celebrating the epitome of excellence in our wonderful industry,” says Craig.
The awards ceremonies will be held on July 30-31, in Christchurch and will coincide with #HNZ24 – a two-day conference and trade show tailored specifically for the hospitality and accommodation sectors.
People’s Awards 2024 finalists:
Accommodation Industry Leader of the Year
- Clinton Farley (The Hotel Britomart)
- Hannah Chinnery (City Stay Apartments T/A Bolton Hotel)
- Juliearna Kavanagh (Escape to Picton Boutique Hotel)
Hospitality Industry Leader of the Year
- Bert Haines (Future Hospitality Group)
- Dee Bond (Palms on George Hospitality)
- Greg Miller (Valley d vine restaurant)
- Katherine (Kat) Dippie (Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar)
- Mason Lattimore (Kaiser Brew Garden)
Chef of the Year
- Christopher Walker (EVT Hotels & Resorts)
- Dean Thompson (Schnappa Rock)
- Henry Onesemo (TALA Group Ltd)
- Jonathan Williams (Kamana Lakehouse)
- Matt Tobin (Future Hospitality Group)
Future Leader of the Year
- Erwin Beiboer (Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park)
- Greer Rait (City Stay Apartments T/A Bolton Hotel)
- Rick Crannitch (Naumi Hotels)
- Sam Stapley ( The Mayfair/ Majestic at Mayfair)
- Victoria Alexander (Nauti Penguin)
Michael Friend Supplier of the Year
- There will be no finalists announced; the winner will be revealed on the night of the event.
Business Awards 2024 finalists:
Best Destination Venue
- Brunel Peaks Cafe & Bar
- Craggy Range Vineyards
- The Common Cafe and Garden Bar
- Thirsty Acres
- Wharekauhau Country Estate
Best Local
- CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen Kaiapoi
- Smash Palace
- Smith & McKenzie Steak House
- The Keg Room
- The Thistle Inn
Best Gaming Venue
- Richmond Club
- Smith & McKenzie Steak House
- Woodbourne Tavern & Motels
Best Entertainment Venue
- Jack Hackett’s & Four Kings
- Peekaboo Backyard Eatery
- Strawberry Tree Kaikoura Limited
- The Tahi Bar & Kitchen
Best Bar
- Bad Habits
- Fantail & Turtle
- Heyday Beer Co
- Kaiser Brew Garden
- Little Blackwood
- Market ST
Best Café
- Hello Sunday
- Lot 2
- Majestic at Mayfair
Best Restaurant
- Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar
- Craggy Range Restaurant
- Metita
- Portlander Bar & Grill
- Strawberry Tree Kaikoura Limited
- White + Wong’s Viaduct (Auckland)
Best Hotel
- Fable Auckland
- Kamana Lakehouse
- Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki
- Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
- The Hotel Britomart
Best Motel
- Palazzo Motor Lodge Nelson
- Radfords on the Lake
- Whangaparaoa Lodge
Best Accommodation Provider (Non-Hotel/Motel)
- Craggy Range Vineyards
- LyLo Auckland
- Ohakune TOP 10 Holiday Park
- Ramada Suites by Wyndham, Nautilus Orewa
- Ross Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Sustainability Champion Award
- Fife Lane Kitchen & Bar
- Hotel Give | The Kind Foundation
- Wharekauhau Country Estate
People’s Choice Award & Supreme Winner
People’s Choice Award
- The winners are determined through a public voting system, where both the members of Hospitality New Zealand and the community have a say in the final decision, with nominees chosen from the list of finalists.
Supreme Winner
- The Supreme Award goes to the award winner who stood out the most from all our finalists, exemplifying what it is to provide excellent hospitality in New Zealand.
For the full list of finalists in the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence, click below:
People Awards for Excellence
Business Awards for Excellence
