The New Zealand Leadership Awards

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Award Categories

View the 2026 Award Categories open for submissions soon.

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2025 Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2025 Award winners. View the full list below.

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Recognising exceptional leadership in Aotearoa

In 2026, The New Zealand Leadership Awards returns for its third year, celebrating those leaders who have not only navigated change but have used it to inspire progress. These awards stand as a platform for recognising professionals who exemplify excellence in leadership and impact within their fields.

In an ever-evolving business landscape, effective leadership remains the cornerstone of success. Across all sectors, individuals continue to rise to the challenges, driving innovation, resilience, and growth within their organisations.

We are proud to once again celebrate existing and emerging leaders who are shaping the future of our nation.

Our panel of expert judges

Thank you to our judging panel for the New Zealand Leadership Awards 2025.

Featuring industry leaders such as Dame Judy McGregor, Tā Mark Solomon, Dame Patsy Reddy, and more, our panel brings unparalleled expertise and a deep commitment to fostering leadership and business growth in New Zealand.

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Register your interest

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised at the 2026 New Zealand Leadership Awards? Interested in sponsoring, or simply want to stay updated on the program?

Award categories

Taxi SME Leadership Award
Large Business Leadership Award
Steinlager Entrepreneur/start-up Leadership Award
No-For-Profit Leadership Award
Hnry Innovation Leadership Award
SkyCity ED&I Leadership Award
Anthony Harper Community Leadership Award
Public Sector Leadership Award
Pasifika Leadership Award
Māori Leadership Award
Emerging Leader of the Year
Robert Walters Executive Search New Zealand's Leader of the Year

Taxi SME Leadership Award The SME Leadership Award recognises and honours outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact within the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Large Business Leadership Award Recognising exemplary leadership and strategic vision within the realm of large enterprises, this award celebrates achievements that drive success and contribute to the broader business landscape. Nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Steinlager Entrepreneur/start-up Leadership Award Honouring the trailblazers and visionaries who demonstrate outstanding leadership in entrepreneurship and startups, this award celebrates innovation, resilience, and transformative impact. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
No-For-Profit Leadership Award Acknowledging leaders committed to environmental and social responsibility, this award highlights outstanding contributions to sustainable business practices, fostering positive change for a better future. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Hnry Innovation Leadership Award Celebrating pioneers who push the boundaries of creativity and progress, this award recognises leaders who drive innovation, spark change, and contribute to the advancement of their industries. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
SkyCity ED&I Leadership Award Recognising champions of diversity and inclusion, this award honours leaders dedicated to fostering equality, creating inclusive workplaces, and driving positive societal change. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Anthony Harper Community Leadership Award Embracing those who make a meaningful impact on local communities, this award celebrates leaders dedicated to social responsibility, community engagement, and making a positive difference. Apply/nominate now Register interest for 2026
Public Sector Leadership Award Highlighting exemplary leadership within the public sector, this award recognises individuals driving positive change, innovation, and effective governance for the betterment of society. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Pasifika Leadership Award Celebrating leaders of Pasifika heritage who demonstrate exceptional contributions and positive influence within their communities and fields of expertise. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Māori Leadership Award Recognising leaders of Māori descent who exemplify outstanding leadership, cultural preservation, and positive impact within their communities and beyond. Apply/nominate now! Register interest for 2026
Emerging Leader of the Year Recognising a rising star in leadership, this award acknowledges an emerging leader with extraordinary potential, innovation, and a promising impact on their industry or community. A shortlist for these two awards will be created from all category applicants during judging, with no direct applications or nominations accepted. Register interest for 2026
Robert Walters Executive Search New Zealand's Leader of the Year Honouring an exceptional leader who stands out for their remarkable vision, inspirational guidance, and outstanding contributions to their field, this award celebrates unparalleled leadership excellence. A shortlist for these two awards will be created from all category applicants during judging, with no direct applications or nominations accepted. Register interest for 2026

The awards process

Nomination phase

Simply nominate yourself or an exceptional leader through our submission platform Award Force. The process is straightforward, involving just one question. It's designed to respect your time, requiring only a few minutes for submission.

Judging process

Each nomination will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts and leaders, who will determine the award category shortlist. Shortlisted nominees will then be invited to an interview with the judging panel, providing an opportunity to further showcase their leadership experiences.

Awards ceremony

Finalists will be invited to our black-tie awards night in Auckland, taking place in September 2026. This event is an opportunity for networking and recognition among peers. It's an evening dedicated to leadership excellence in Aotearoa.

Important dates for 2026

Stay tuned for the dates and schedule of the 2026 program. Register your interest below to receive updates.

Register your interest in the

2026 New Zealand Leadership Awards

Fill out the form below to stay up to date with the New Zealand Leadership Awards

2024 Winners

2024 Finalists

2025 Sponsors

Headline sponsors

Award category sponsors

Charity partner

Robert Walters is proud to partner with The Graeme Dingle Foundation, an organisation dedicated to nurturing New Zealand's future leaders.

Through education and adventure-based learning, the Foundation inspires self-confidence, self-belief, and leadership skills in young people. We are excited to support their mission and contribute to the growth of tomorrow’s leaders.

FAQs

When will the New Zealand Leadership Awards take place?

The New Zealand Leadership Awards will be held on the 4th of September 2025 at the Auckland Museum Dome.
Who can be nominated for the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

Anyone can be nominated for the New Zealand Leadership Awards. Whether you are an individual looking to showcase your own leadership skills or a professional wanting to nominate someone you believe deserves recognition for their outstanding existing or emerging leadership qualities, we encourage everyone to participate.
How long will nominations be open for?

Nominations will be open for a two-month period, from 03 March - 02 May 2025
What is the nomination process?

Nominations are initially submitted through a form on our submission platform, Awards Force. Shortlisted candidates from the first round will be notified and asked to provide additional information, such as supporting documents, website links, or other relevant materials.
How will the judging process work?

The judging process begins with panels reviewing the shortlisted nominations in detail. Each award category will have its own panel of judges, comprised of industry experts and leaders in their respective fields. Based on their assessments, the panels will select candidates to move forward to the interview stage. During the interviews, judges will conduct an in-depth evaluation of each nominee’s leadership skills, achievements, and potential.
Who will be judging the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

The judging for the New Zealand Leadership Awards will be conducted by a panel of high-calibre individuals. We want to ensure that the judging process is credible and that all finalists and winners are chosen by a diverse and experienced group of professionals.
Can I nominate someone who is not currently working in an organisation?

Yes! The New Zealand Leadership Awards celebrate leadership in all forms. Nominate individuals who have shown remarkable leadership qualities, regardless of their employment status.
Will there be any opportunities for sponsorship or partnership with the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

Yes, we welcome sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the New Zealand Leadership Awards. If you or your organisation are interested in becoming a sponsor or collaborating with us to support this event, please reach out to our team: nzleadershipawards@robertwalters.co.nz

The New Zealand Leadership Awards

Register your Interest

Award Categories

2025 Award Winners

Recognising exceptional leadership in Aotearoa

Our panel of expert judges

Register your interest

Award categories

The awards process

Nomination phase

Judging process

Awards ceremony

Important dates for 2026

Register your interest in the

2026 New Zealand Leadership Awards

Sponsors

Headline sponsors

Award category sponsors

Charity partner

FAQs

When will the New Zealand Leadership Awards take place?

Who can be nominated for the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

How long will nominations be open for?

What is the nomination process?

How will the judging process work?

Who will be judging the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

Can I nominate someone who is not currently working in an organisation?

Will there be any opportunities for sponsorship or partnership with the New Zealand Leadership Awards?