The Awards Gala

be in the room!

tables of 10 on sale now

It’s time to celebrate the best of Aotearoa. Join us for our annual Awards Gala and be in the room as we announce your 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa winners.

Limited tables of 10 now on sale – rally your friends and whānau together for the best night of the year.

Thursday 19 March 2026
Viaduct Events Centre
Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Individual tickets may be released at a later date, venue capacity permitting. If you are interested in purchasing individual tickets, please reach out to the Awards Office office@nzawards.org.nz.

Each guest will enjoy

A heart-warming evening of celebration, impact and exceptional hospitality, hosted by our venue partner: Viaduct Events Centre.
A bespoke 3-course menu crafted by Peter Gordon.
An open bar featuring some of Aotearoa’s finest wines, beers, and cocktails.
Access to the onsite Winner’s Lounge following the Awards ceremony.
An address by our much-loved Awards Te Koruru Patron, Miriama Kamo.
The opportunity to connect with remarkable New Zealanders – leaders, changemakers, and contributors who have helped shape and uplift Aotearoa over the past year.

How the night will roll

6.00pm – Doors open to Viaduct Events Centre, canapés, bubbles and cocktails in the foyer

6.30pm – Welcomed from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and seating begins

7.00pm – Awards ceremony begins

10.30pm – Awards ceremony concludes and all guests welcomed into the onsite Winner’s Lounge

11.30pm – Event ends

Dress code

Whether it’s your finest black tie or cultural attire, wear what feels right for you.

Accessibility

Accessibility is important to us, and we’re committed to ensuring every guest can enjoy the event comfortably. A low-sensory room will be available, and all videos will include captioning. If you have any specific access needs or would like extra support, please reach out to us at office@nzawards.org.nz – we’re here to help.

Please note that there may be use of strobe lighting before, during and after the Awards ceremony.

Awards Sponsors

Event Partners

2025/26

Key Dates

24 July

Nominations
Open

24 August

Nominations
Closed

20 November

Local Heroes
Announced

11 December

Semi-Finalists
Announced

26 February

Finalists
Announced

19 March

Awards
Gala

Join us as we kick off our nominations phase of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa! For four weeks – from 24 July to 24 August – we invite you to put forth your champions of positive change. Awarded across seven categories and celebrating people from every age, stage and background; this is your chance to shine a spotlight on the people who matter to you.

As nominations come flooding in, we’re hard at work bringing together seven incredible category judging panels comprised of sector leaders and experts from across Aotearoa. When nominations close on 24 August, all nominations will go through two rounds of intensive debate, as with great care and rigour our judges select the most powerful stories of the year.

In late-November, we proudly reveal and celebrate the top 100 nominees from across the country for the Tower Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau. These people are our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends, our front line workers, our volunteers – the people that work behind the scenes every day to make Aotearoa a better place. Each receives a medal, and will move through to the next round of judging to be considered for the final award.

From thousands of public nominations, the top ten Semi-Finalists across all each of the award categories are announced. This is a huge moment to collectively appreciate and celebrate the people who have made invaluable contributions to our nation – from transforming local communities to putting Aotearoa New Zealand on a world stage.

Our incredible Executive Judging Panel, made of esteemed leaders from diverse fields across New Zealand, have the impossible job of selecting the top three Finalists in each of the seven award categories. These people, our 2026 Finalists, are announced and celebrated on 26 February. You’ll have to join us on Awards Night in March to see who takes out the titles!

Join us for the greatest night of the year! Our annual Awards Gala is set for Thursday 19th March 2026, Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Be in the room with the best of Aotearoa as we celebrate the the Semi-Finalists, Finalists and announce the 2026 Winners across all seven categories. Nothing beats the energy, emotion and significance of this special night. Tickets on sale from late November 2025.