This Content Is Only For Subscribers
EVT Hotels & Resorts properties across New Zealand have been recognised for excellence at the 2025 HM Aotearoa-Pacific Awards, held in Auckland on Friday, October 31, 2025.
The awards brought together hotel industry professionals from across New Zealand and the Pacific to celebrate outstanding performance across properties and people.
QT Queenstown was named New Zealand Boutique Hotel, taking the title previously held by its sister property QT Auckland.
QT Queenstown also received a Highly Commended in the Innovative Collaboration category for its Champagne Parlour activation — a rosé-inspired room installation created in partnership with Pernod Ricard and artist Evie Kemp.
The property is currently preparing for a major refurbishment announced earlier this year.
QT Auckland was recognised with two honours: New Zealand Hotel Bar for Rooftop at QT and Hotel Chef for Esther Restaurant head chef James Laird.
The property’s Mediterranean-inspired dining and hospitality experiences continue to strengthen its reputation for exceptional service and creativity.
Sherwood Queenstown, part of the EVT Independent Collection, received a Highly Commended in the Hotel Chef category for executive chef Chris Scott, whose restaurant retains its Two Hats in this year’s Cuisine Good Food Awards.
Paul Bristow of Rydges Latimer Christchurch earned a Highly Commended in the Hotel Engineer category, and Emilia Blaszkiewicz of QT Queenstown received a Highly Commended in the Rising Star category.
EVT general manager New Zealand operations Simon White says the HM Awards are an important celebration of industry achievement.
“We are thrilled to see so many of our hotels and colleagues celebrated at the HM Awards this year. We see every day how dedicated the EVT team is to providing the best hospitality experience for guests, but this is a wonderful opportunity for the teams to be celebrated publicly,” Simon says.
“Everyone – from front and back of house, to F&B and corporate – is on a mission to make people’s day when they step into our spaces, and these awards are a reflection of the effort that goes in every day of the year.”
Four EVT general managers have also been shortlisted for the New Zealand General Manager Award, to be announced in Sydney on Friday, November 21, 2025:
Jeff Hermes, Rydges Wellington Airport
Jeremy Black, QT Queenstown and Sherwood Queenstown
Colin McClean, QT Wellington and Museum Apartment Hotel
Kent Breeze, Rydges Rotorua
