Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has clinched an impressive number of finalists in this year’s NZEA New Zealand Events Awards, with 23 spots. The annual awards celebrate excellent events, along with the people, technology and innovation behind them.
Events that Auckland Council and its cultural agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited invested in, or delivered itself, accounted for 17 of the 23 nominations from Auckland.
“We are overjoyed to see such large number of Auckland events have made it to the finals,” says Michelle Hooper, Head of Major Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. “So much hard graft and skill goes into creating these unforgettable experiences across our region, so we are super proud to see so many of our local events acknowledged at a national level.”
Events supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of Auckland Council, attracted three of the four nominations in the Major or Mega Event of the Year category. They were ITM Sail Grand Prix, the first-ever to be held in Auckland, along with Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival, and World Choir Games 2024, where 11,000 international choir singers performed to an audience of 25,000 people over 11 days. That event contributed $20 million in tourism expenditure for Aotearoa.
“Every cent we put into these events is carefully considered,” says Nick Hill, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive. “We have to be sure our investment will lift the lives of those living in Auckland while driving visitors to come, as well as supporting our hardworking local businesses. It has to be a clear return for ratepayers as well as an amazing event to experience, which is what these award nominations recognise.”
Auckland also clinched two of the four nominations in the Sports Event of the Year category. The Masters Hockey World Cup delivered significant returns for Auckland with 2400 players from across the world setting up on the North Shore for 10 days. This international event resulted in a $9m GPD boost to the region, with many players and their families extending their stay to explore the region after the competition wrapped up.
Also nominated for Sports Event of the Year is Auckland FC’s electrifying debut match against Brisbane Roar at Go Media Stadium, which marked a thrilling new chapter for football fans in the city and kickstarted a team that has quickly captured Aucklanders’ imaginations and pride.
Go Media Stadium itself, run by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, is up for an award in the Sustainability Initiative of the Year category for its big push to rapidly decarbonise, with 1700 solar panels set to save more than $100,000 each year in energy spending.
Auckland Marathon is up for Food, Beverage or Lifestyle Event of the Year. It allows participants to take in some of the region’s most beautiful views - first in historic Devonport, then across the harbour bridge and glittering Waitematā harbour.
The Z Manu World Champs, within Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Moana Auckland ocean festival, is nominated for Technology Innovation of the Year for its Manu Tech invention in partnership with AUT University. This ultra-precise video mechanism measures the size and volume of splash created by a manu so it can be considered in judging alongside classic kiwi flair elements.
The free and always spectacular BNZ Auckland Diwali and BNZ Auckland Lantern festivals - run by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of Auckland Council and which were attended by over 250,000 visitors - are both up for awards in the Arts, Culture or Heritage and Local Government categories respectively.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Jep Savali – Group Manager of Major Events and experienced festival director - is up for Established Industry Professional of the Year.
The winners of this year’s NZ Event Awards will be announced at a gala evening on 2 September in Hamilton.
Below is a list of nominated events that Auckland Council or Tātaki Auckland Unlimited delivered or invested in:
Arts, Cultural or Heritage Event of the Year 2025
BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Community or Not-for-profit Event of the Year 2025 (under 3000 participants)
2024 Masters Hockey World Cup, Hockey New Zealand
The Pacific Festival of Brass, Auckland Bands Association Inc
Community or Not-for-Profit Event of the Year 2025 (over 3000 participants) - proudly sponsored by MRI
Big Gay Out 2025, Curious Nation
Food, Beverage or Lifestyle Event of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by Pernod Ricard
Auckland Marathon, IRONMAN New Zealand
Local Government Event of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by HD Recruitment
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2025, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Major or Mega Event of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by Bidfood
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland 2025, F50 League NZ Ltd
SYNTHONY Festival, Duco Touring
World Choir Games 2024, New Zealand Choral Federation
Music Event of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by APRA
SYNTHONY Festival, Duco Touring
Sports Event of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by Ticketek
WMH 2024 Masters Hockey World Cup, Hockey New Zealand
Auckland FC's debut match vs Brisbane Roar at Go Media Stadium, Auckland FC & Auckland Stadiums
Supplier of the Year 2025
Medical Response Industries (MRI) for Manuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival
Marketing or Creative of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by Phantom Billstickers
Z Manu World Champs, Quantum Events – Auckland
Technology Innovation of the Year 2025
Z Manu World Champs and ManuTech Judging Software, Quantum Events
Sustainability Initiative of the Year 2025
Go Media Stadium's Decarbonisation Project, Auckland Stadiums
Established Industry Professional of the Year 2025 - proudly sponsored by H3
Jep Savali, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited