Sport NZ has announced the finalists for its annual New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards, which celebrate individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to enhance people’s lives through sport and recreation.

"We’re excited to recognise the mahi and achievements of those leading the way across the sector and positively impacting the wellbeing of New Zealanders,” says Sport NZ Group Chief Executive Raelene Castle.

“It’s an honour to be able to celebrate with the sector the huge effort of so many people who are keeping New Zealanders moving – especially in a year where many faced huge challenges due to the severe weather events experienced across regions.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on Monday, 24 July with 18 finalists shortlisted across five main category awards: Commercial Partnership, Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion, Community Impact – Local/community and Regional/national and the Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga for Excellence in Impacting Māori Participation as Māori.

The judging panel were highly impressed by the calibre of entries this year.

“There was a very high standard of entries again this year, which made selecting the finalists even more difficult for the judges. Thank you to all the organisations who put forward nominations,” says Raelene Castle.

Also awarded on the night are the Susie Simcock Future Leaders' Scholarship, C.K. Doig Leadership Award and Sir Eion and Jan, Lady Edgar Lifetime Achievement Award.

The judging panel is comprised of Andrew Leslie (Chair), Bev Cassidy-MacKenzie, Barry Maister CNZM, Diane Williams and Olivia Clare.

The Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga – Excellence in impacting Māori participation as Māori was judged independently by Howie Tamati MBE, Te Miri Rangi and Tanya Wilson.

The finalists by category (in alphabetical order) are:

Commercial Partnership
Aktive + One NZ
Surf Lifesaving NZ + Restaurant Brands

Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion
Christchurch City Council
Harbour Sport
Women in Sport Aotearoa

Community Impact Finalists – Local/community
Auckland Climbing Youth Development Club – Putting out the Welcome Mat
Sport Auckland – Play Festival
Sport Waitakere – Active Whakapapa

Community Impact Finalists – Regional/national
Mitre 10 New Zealand – Helping Hands /Project Playground
Recreate NZ – Life Changing Experiences for Youth with Disabilities
Swimming New Zealand – Disability Swimming Fund
YMCA North – The Y Sports Camp

Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga - Excellence in Impacting Māori Participation as Māori
Island Bay Softball
Kī o Rahi ki Waitaha
NZ Māori Rugby Union

Susie Simcock Future Leaders' Scholarship
David George – Sport Waitakere
Alexi Trenouth – Wellington City Council
Kuruho Wereta – Recreation Aotearoa