Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

New Zealand Tourism Awards recognise industry’s bright future

New Zealand Tourism Awards recognise industry’s bright future
November 30, 2021

Outstanding tourism businesses and individuals who are leading the way in creating the future of New Zealand’s tourism industry have been recognised in the industry’s most respected annual awards.

Award winners were finally revealed at an online event yesterday after a three-month postponement due to COVID-19 disruption.

Six leading individuals and 23 businesses were in the running for 11 prestigious tourism awards, which showcase and celebrate the tourism industry’s individual and business successes.

Advising of his pleasure at finally being able to acknowledge the award winners, Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive, Chris Roberts stated “anticipation has been building for even longer than expected, so it was a joy to finally get the industry together online to celebrate these incredible finalists and award winners.”

The Sir Jack Newman Award for Outstanding Industry Leader was awarded to prominent tourism consultant Dave Bamford, who has spent a lifetime creating sustainable tourism solutions to benefit economies, individuals and business.

Loren Heaphy, General Manager of Destination & Attraction at ChristchurchNZ, was named tourism’s Emerging Leader. Judges were excited by her entry, noting that she stood out as ‘the full package’ and that they were ‘blown away by her story’.

The judges noted “Loren has already shifted mindsets in the way that you present an organisation. She will continue to do extraordinary things on behalf of the industry.”

Ceillhe Sperath, TIME Unlimited Tours, was commended for her commitment to growing a business for the sake of the community, winning her the Tourism Industry Champion Award.

Wellington Zoo took home the Environment Award. Judges were particularly impressed by the extended reach the zoo achieves by focusing on its supply chains, with judge noting “the fact they have worked with suppliers down to the toys in the gift shop shows a genuine deep commitment to the environment.

“It is not only the fact that the zoo has been doing good things for a long time, but that they continue to innovate.”

The Dark Sky Project was celebrated as “a fantastic project which truly delivers the Māori message and embraces everything the tourism industry is about”. The team took home the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Māori Tourism Award.

Judges were impressed with the metrics National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa were able to report, with proven results winning them the Conservation Award.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari - a finalist in two categories - was awarded the Community Engagement Award for its “true community engagement programme, which could become a legacy initiative for the wider community and Aotearoa”.

Rotorua’s Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights won the Visitor Experience Award, an “absolute standout” in the eyes of the judges.

The Industry Collaboration Award went to Nelson Regional Development Agency, due to their strong results and the legacy of their Zero Carbon Itinerary project’s impact.

Here judges stated “they are pushing the sector forward and there was genuine collaboration in creating the itinerary. This initiative has the potential to change the way the sector organises itself going forward, and the way tourism is seen.”

An “absolute commitment to people”, combined with a forward-thinking and strategic focus, won iFLY Indoor Skydiving NZ Ltd the Employer of Choice Award.

Finally, an inspiring story from the West Coast took home the much-coveted Resilience and Innovation Award, beating 38 other entrants to the top spot. Judges said this was one of the most difficult categories to judge, as the quality and quantity of entries was ‘outstanding’. Ultimately, Waiho Hot Tubs’ pioneering spirit and investment on behalf of the town and community won the judges over.

The awards recognised individuals and organisations that are living the values of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment.

New Zealand Tourism Awards 2021 Winners and award sponsors

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Community Engagement Award 
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Waikato 
 
Department of Conservation - Conservation Award 
The National Kiwi Hatchery, Rotorua 
 
Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award 
iFLY Indoor Skydiving NZ Ltd, Queenstown 
 
Toitū EnviroCare Environment Award 
Wellington Zoo Trust
 
Tourism New Zealand Industry Collaboration Award 
Nelson Regional Development Agency
 
He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Māori Tourism Award 
Dark Sky Project, Tekapo 
 
Westpac Resilience and Innovation Award 
Waiho Hot Tubs, Franz Josef Glacier 
 
NZME Visitor Experience Award
Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights, Rotorua 
 
PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Award 
Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ 
 
Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award 
Ceillhe Sperath, TIME Unlimited Tours 

Sir Jack Newman Award - Outstanding Industry Leader 
Dave Bamford

About the New Zealand Tourism Awards
The New Zealand Tourism Awards 2021 are run by TIA, with Award Partner Air New Zealand. The Awards are sponsored by the Department of Conservation, Marsh, New Zealand Māori Tourism, PATA New Zealand Trust, Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust, Tourism New Zealand, Tourism Talent, Toitū Envirocare, NZME and Westpac. 

For more information on the New Zealand Tourism Awards, visit www.nztourismawards.org.nz

Images: Wellington Zoo was a double winner at the New Zealand Tourism Awards (top), the Dark Sky Project (middle) and the National Kiwi Hatchery, Rotorua (below).

Related Articles

29th November 2021 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa releases recovery roadmap

9th November 2021 - Zoo and Aquarium Association conference awards recognise excellence

8th November 2021 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa advises caution required around adventure tourism proposals 

29th October 2021 - Two major New Zealand tourism events move online for 2021  

2nd September 2021 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa survey finds severe mental health challenges among tourism operators

29th August 2021 - New Zealand tourism prepared for lengthy lockdown

7th July 2021 - Pause in trans-Tasman travel bubble hits New Zealand tourism

15th June 2021 - New Zealand Tourism Awards return for 2021

6th May 2021 - New Zealand Tourism Minister announces Industry Transformation Plan to guide holiday areas away from overtourism

27th April 2021 - New Zealand tourism industry looks to futureproofing

19th March 2021 - New Zealand tourism ready to work with Government on industry future

17th March 2021 - New research dispels suggestions New Zealand tourism too expensive for the domestic market

13th February 2021 - New Zealand Tourism Minister says industry ‘shouldn’t expect more Government support’

20th November 2020 - New Zealand Tourism Minister sets goals to attract ‘high-net-worth’ visitors

6th October 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa offers ‘unprecedented’ loan facility for adventure tourism operators

23rd September 2020 - Wellington Zoo launches new Behind the Scenes experience

22nd September 2020 - Rotorua’s National Kiwi Hatchery announces reopening to visitors

14th September 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa urges next government to give tourism industry a central role in regions’ recovery

4th September 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa calls for ‘true partnership’ for industry recovery

27th October 2019 - 2019 New Zealand Tourism Awards recognise industry excellence

16th January 2019 - New international dark sky sanctuary revealed on Stewart Island

2nd January 2019 - iFly Queenstown enjoying successful first summer of operations

2nd October 2017 - Skyline advances investigations into Franz Josef Gondola project


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

AMPD Academy

Originally founded to meet the specific training requirements of its own venue management operations, Ampd Academy now embraces a broader mission to combat skill shortages across Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Education / Recreation / Safety

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Riedel Communications Australia Pty Ltd

We live for media production and global events, providing real-time networks for video, audio, data and communications.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Venues

 
 

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

HIDROPLAY

Hidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation

 
 

Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Parks / Zoos

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business