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. 

“These awards are a highlight each year, where we can celebrate with the sector the huge effort of so many people who are keeping New Zealanders physically active and positively impacting the wellbeing of our communities,” says Sport NZ Group Chief Executive Raelene Castle. 

“We are thrilled to recognise the mahi and achievements of those leading the way across the sector.” 

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Aotea Centre in Auckland on Monday, 24 June with 18 finalists shortlisted across six main category awards: Commercial Partnership, Community Impact, Environmental Sustainability, Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion, Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga for Excellence in Impacting Māori Participation as Māori, and Susie Simcock Future Leaders' Scholarship Finalists. 

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

“There was a record number of entries this year, showcasing the amazing work happening right across our sector. And the standard of the entries was incredible, making it hugely challenging for the judges to select only three finalists in each category. Thank you to all the organisations who put forward nominations,” says Raelene Castle. 

Also awarded on the night will be the 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, Sarah Murray, Dallas Seymour, Mike Stanley CNZM 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 Veronica Thompson. 

The finalists by category (in alphabetical order) are: 

Commercial Partnership Finalists  

Aktive + One NZ  

Basketball NZ + Schick  

NZ Football + Ford  

Community Impact Finalists  

Gymnastics NZ – Participant safety, wellbeing and inclusion  

Oxford Football Inc – Delivering Inclusive and Accessible Community Sport Without Barriers in Rural New Zealand  

Shamrock Boxing Maraenui Napier – Rangatahi Development Programme  

Environmental Sustainability Award Finalists

Auckland Golf  

CLM Community Leisure Management 

North Harbour Hockey Association  

Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion Finalists  

Adaptive Whakauru Tahi  

New Zealand Rugby  

Whanake o te Kōpara   

Excellence in Impacting Māori Participation as Māori Finalists  

Hawaiki Kura  

Kā Taoka I Tuku Iho Charitable Trust  

Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti  

Susie Simcock Future Leaders' Scholarship Finalists  

Kathryn Jones, Aktive  

Manu Albert, NZ Rugby  

Amiria Mita, Waka Ama NZ