The NZ Sport and Recreation Awards celebrate leadership in the sector and recognise outstanding contributions being made across the country to enhance people’s lives through physical activity. Now is your chance to ensure individuals and organisations you work with are recognised for their outstanding work at the awards ceremony on 14 July 2025.   

Entries will open on 10 March and nominations are easy to submit through the Awards Portal. 

Award categories 

Commercial Partnership: awarded to an organisation that has formed an exceptional partnership with a commercial organisation for the benefit of sport and recreation.  

Community Impact: awarded to a project that positively impacts tamariki and/or rangatahi and their communities at a national, regional or local level.  

Environmental Sustainability: awarded to an organisation committed to driving environmentally sustainable practices in the play, active recreation and sport sector. 

Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion: awarded to an innovative initiative which supports diversity and inclusion within sport and recreation, such as access, participation, leadership and community connection.  

Jim Maniapoto Memorial Taonga – Excellence in impacting Māori participation as Māori: he tohu hei whakanuia i te tangata, te rōpū rānei i whakatīnanahia i te kaupapa i akiaki ai i te mana o te tangata. This award acknowledges an outstanding individual, group or organisation that contributes to the wellbeing of whānau, hapū, iwi Māori through physical activity.   

Susie Simcock Future Leaders’ Scholarship: awarded to an emerging leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact within their organisations or communities. 

Key dates: 

• Award portal opens – 10 March 

• Award portal closes – 28 April

• Finalists announced – early June

• Winners announced – 14 July