NZEA New Zealand Event Awards 2026 – Winners

5 August 2026 · NZICC, Auckland

The Winners
Are In

Congratulations to every winner, finalist and entrant who made 2026 an extraordinary year for New Zealand's events industry.

Announced 5 August, 11pm NZT
See All Winners NZ's Favourite Event
🎉 Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners! Thank you to everyone who joined us at the NZICC for an unforgettable night. 🎉

Relive the Night

2026 Gala Photo Gallery

View the Gallery

If you'd like a high-res copy of any of these images, please contact info@nzea.co.nz.

Special Awards

Voted & Nominated Winners

★ New Zealand's Favourite Event 2026

Decided by public vote

Warbirds Over Wanaka
International Airshow 2026

Sponsored by Maketu Pies

★ Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2026

By third-party nomination

Terri van Schooten
& Brent Eccles

Two winners recognised this year

2026 Excellence Awards

Meet the Winners

Individual Award
Emerging Event Professional of the Year

Winner

Libby Vincent

Brown Bread

Sponsored by NZICC

Individual Award
Established Industry Professional of the Year

Winner

Elly Moody

H3 Group

Sponsored by DB Breweries

Event Category
Arts, Cultural or Heritage Event of the Year

Winner

Kia Mau Festival

Kia Mau Festival Trust

Sponsored by Ticketmaster

Event Category
Business Event of the Year

Winner

Adaptation Futures 2025

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, with ChristchurchNZ & The Conference Company

Sponsored by Cvent

Event Category
Community or Not-for-Profit Event of the Year (Under 3,000 Participants)

Winner

Special Olympics 2025 National Summer Games

Special Olympics New Zealand

Sponsored by Race Roster

Event Category
Community or Not-for-Profit Event of the Year (Over 3,000 Participants)

Winner

Crankworx New Zealand 2026

Mountain Bike Events Limited

Sponsored by MRI

✦ New for 2026
Event Sponsorship of the Year

Winner

Southern Cross Round the Bays x New Zealand Police

Stuff Events

Sponsored by Click for Hire

Event Category
Food, Beverage or Lifestyle Event of the Year

Winner

Treats of Taupō

Sponsored by Vinarchy

Event Category
Local Government Event of the Year

Winner

TSB Festival of Lights

New Plymouth District Council

Sponsored by AirClad-X

Event Category
Major or Mega Event of the Year

Winner

ASB Classic

Tennis Auckland

Sponsored by Bidfood

Event Category
Music Event of the Year

Winner

Laneway Festival

Laneway Festival / TEG Touring New Zealand Ltd

Sponsored by APRA

Event Category
Sports Event of the Year

Winner

Global Games

NZ Junior Rugby Festival

Sponsored by Ticketek

Supplier / Industry Award
Supplier of the Year

Winner

Medical Response Industries (MRI)

for the Ed Sheeran Loop Tour

Sponsored by NZME

Inclusion Award — 2 Winners
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event of the Year

Winner

Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan

Music Portrait Collective, PANNZ, Auckland Arts Festival & Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts

Winner

WIPCE 2025

World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education — Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau (AUT)

Sponsored by Auckland Council Events

Supplier / Industry Award
Marketing or Creative of the Year

Winner

Jim Beam Homegrown

Sponsored by Phantom Billstickers

Sustainability Award
Sustainable Event Initiative of the Year

Winner

Global Games

New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival — Global Games

Sponsored by NW Group

Venue Award
Venue of the Year

Winner

Claudelands Events Centre

for Jim Beam Homegrown — H3 Group

Supported by EVANZ

Thank You, Aotearoa

To every finalist, entrant, sponsor and judge — thank you for making the 2026 NZEA New Zealand Event Awards a night to remember.

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Winners announced 5 August 2026, 11pm NZT  ·  View All Winners  ·  Questions? Contact NZEA