The NZ Events Association NZ Event Awards have this year attracted the highest number of entries in the history of the Awards.
NZEA general manager Elaine Linnell says the record number of entries shows the industry is keen to be recognised after a tough few years. In this, her first year of being involved in the judging process, Elaine says she’s been blown away by the number and calibre of entries, demonstrating the strength and resilience of the industry.
“The judges have a difficult job on their hands. New Zealand has put on some amazing events and has such great people working in the industry. I am so proud and excited for everyone to celebrate their successes at the Gala Dinner in Ōtautahi Christchurch on November 9.”
The Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership across the full breadth of the sector, including event producers, sponsors, suppliers and individuals. Together the events contribute millions to the economy and stimulate national and local businesses.
One of 18 highly experienced judges this year, Arthur Klap is recognised as a leader in sports governance, sports management, major events and event tourism.
Despite a difficult few years, says Arthur, there has been impressive growth this year in the quality of event delivery and the resulting customer experience.
“Also impressive was the depth of quality of the entries in each category. Those who have become finalists are all excellent examples of the strength of the events industry at present.”
Fellow judge Emily Travers is NZME head of commercial sport, partnerships and events and has extensive knowledge of the sports/events sector.
“I was highly impressed not just by the diversity of events, companies and individuals who were nominated,” says Emily, “but also by the exceptional level of work being accomplished throughout the industry. It’s very clear the events sector significantly contributes to local economies and livelihoods while also supporting important cultural, inclusion and diversity ambitions across the country.”
Proudly hosting the Awards this year is ChristchurchNZ, the city’s sustainable economic development and city profile agency.
Head of major events Karena Finnie offers her warmest congratulations to the 2023 New Zealand Event Award finalists.
“Your recognition is so well deserved. This year saw an extremely high calibre of competition and entries for the awards and the finalists show excellence across the sector, setting the bar extremely high for future events. ChristchurchNZ looks forward to partnering with NZEA in hosting the upcoming Gala Dinner at Te Pae Convention Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch and celebrating the success of New Zealand’s events industry.”
All the finalists in the NZEA Event Awards are unique and have been able to achieve successful outcomes based on their distinct objectives.
Crankworx Rotorua is an annual mountain biking festival held in Rotorua, offering an extensive range of events and activities for participants of all ages and skill levels. Notably, the festival hosts the Kidsworx programme, catering specifically to young riders, and the Kidsworx arena this year provided opportunities for more than 920 children to explore and play in a dedicated mountain bike arena.
Diwali in The Square was born from the desire to celebrate diversity and foster community spirit by bringing together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds to experience the festival of lights in Palmerston North. The latest festival saw 8000 attendees enjoying an explosion of music, dance and food, and represented diverse communities by displaying the talents and creativity of local artists, performers, and vendors while also promoting meaningful cultural exchange and dialogue.
Future of Work is a conference for rangatahi in Marlborough, showcasing what the workplace of tomorrow looks like for local youth and inspiring them to become part of the region’s future. Future of Work supports young people in discovering a purposeful pathway into their future, whether they’re interested in university, the trades or have no idea what they want to do after school.
The 2023 Future of Work event is expected to surpass all expectations, with a predicted 900% increase in attendees from the 2019 event. Students reported the conference made a difference to them in terms of their thinking, their confidence, and their ideas about their personal career pathway.
Rugby World Cup 2021 (held in 2022) showcased women’s rugby to the world. Against significant odds, groups of dedicated women started a movement that now captures world attention and shows young girls and boys around the world that there is a place for them in rugby too.
RWC 2021 smashed commercial targets by attracting 20 Commercial Partners, achieving 378 per cent of the original budget. The event created a platform for female voices – none more so than Ruby Tui, who had more than 40,000 people singing Tutira Mai in a sign of true unity.
ALL THE CATEGORIES AND FINALISTS:
Individual Awards
Best Established Event Professional 2023
James Wotton, Commercial Communications Council
Jason Cameron, Victory Events & Athletics NZ
Simon Carter, Carter Consultants
Tim Farmer, Nduro Events
Best Emerging Event Professional 2023
Abishekh Satheesh, University of Canterbury Students Association
Helene Nicholson, Nduro Events
Lisa Rooney, Blabla Events
Michael Dewar, Event Hire
Outstanding Contribution to Business Events 2023 – proudly sponsored by BEIA
Brent Spillane, XPO Exhibitions
Leonie Ashford, Tourism New Zealand
Louise Ryburn, Celebrity Speakers
Excellence Awards
Best Arts or Cultural Event 2023 – proudly sponsored by CreativeNZ
Bread & Circus – World Buskers Festival, Strut & Fret NZ
Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings, City Gallery Wellington, part of Experience Wellington
Pasifika Festival 2023, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Tohunga Tumāu, Lemongrass Productions & Kauta
Umu Kohukohu Whetū ki Takaparawhau , Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust
Whale Tales Auckland 2022, WWF-New Zealand & Wild in Art
Best Business Event 2023 – proudly sponsored by ChristchurchNZ
16th Congress of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists
(FAOBMB), Composition
ANZ Business of The Year Awards, Ri Ra Events & Ashburton District Council
Central Districts Field Days, Stuff
Day One – One New Zealand Launch, Uno Loco
Fieldays 2021, NZ National Fieldays Society Inc.
Spark – ALL IN, Spur NZ
Transpower STAR Awards 2021, Verve
Best Community or Not-for-Profit Event 2023 (under 3000 participants)
Future of Work, Graeme Dingle Foundation Marlborough – in partnership with Marlborough District Council
South Island Masters Games, Carter Consultants
Surfing For Farmers
Take the Challenge, Embrace the Cold, Bone Marrow Cancer Trust | Rānui House
The Fox – Fishing & Golf Festival, Sports Inc. Ltd
Best Community or Not-for-Profit Event 2023 (over 3000 participants)
Festival of Brass 2021, Festival of Brass Inc
Hororata Highland Games, The Hororata Community Trust
Matariki Arrowtown Lights, Arrowtown Charitable Trust on behalf of Arrowtown Promotion & Business Association
The New Zealand School Sport Series, Waddell
The Silent Night, Wellington Regional Stadium Trust
Best Lifestyle Event 2023
Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, TAFT – Taranaki Arts Festival Trust
Flavours of Plenty Festival 2023, Tourism Bay of Plenty
NZ House & Garden Tours 2023, Stuff
Winetopia, Lemongrass Productions
Best Local Government Event 2023
Diwali in The Square, Palmerston North City Council
Flavours of Plenty Festival 2023, Tourism Bay of Plenty
Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings, City Gallery Wellington, part of Experience Wellington
Matariki Festival under the Stars 2022, Porirua City Council
Pasifika Festival 2023, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Best Major or Mega Event 2023
Crankworx Rotorua
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix
Rugby World Cup 2021
Best Music Event 2023
Ed Sheeran at Eden Park, The Eden Park Trust
Ed Sheeran at Sky Stadium, Wellington Regional Stadium Trust
Jim Beam Homegrown, Homegrown Events Limited
Outfield Music, Food & Arts Festival
SYNTHONY IN THE DOMAIN, Duco Touring
UCSA & The Foundry Presents: A Little Doof, University of Canterbury Students Association (UCSA)
Best Sports Event 2023
Crankworx Rotorua
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix
New Zealand Festival of Squash 2022
Rugby World Cup 2021
Whaka 100 MTB Marathon 2022
Support Awards
Best Supplier 2023 – proudly sponsored by NZME
HD Flooring NZ for multiple events
NW Group for multiple events
PPG Events for PPG Cruise 2022-23
Vidcom New Zealand for the IAVCEI 2023
Best Event Innovation 2023
Jim Beam Homegrown
ON-Site Technologies
The Sidekicker casual staffing platform
Best Event Marketing and Creative 2023 – proudly sponsored by Phantom Billstickers
Matariki ki Waikato, Agentx Ltd
ON SHOW Spring Campaign ChristchurchNZ,
The Event Girl – Parliament, The Event Girl Limited
The Single Fin Mingle
Best Venue 2023 – proudly sponsored by EVANZ
Eden Park
Mystery Creek Event Centre
Northland Events Centre (Semenoff Stadium)
Spark Arena
Trafalgar Centre
Achievement Awards
New Zealand’s Favourite Event 2023
Decided by public vote, winner to be announced at the Gala Evening, 9 November.
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2023 – proudly sponsored by ChristchurchNZ
Winner to be announced at the Gala Evening, November 9.
