The finalists for the most prestigious awards in New Zealand’s $39.1 billion tourism industry have been announced.

Established tourism operators will go head to head with newer businesses in this year’s New Zealand Tourism Awards. The winners will be revealed at a black-tie dinner in Christchurch on Thursday 24 October. 

37 finalists from around New Zealand are in the running for 16 awards. The winner of each business category is then in contention for the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award that comes with a prize valued at over $20,000.

The NZME People’s Choice Award is up for voting from the public for finalists that have a customer-facing business.

The 2019 Awards have been updated to align with the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, recognising environmentally sustainable and financially successful tourism businesses that embrace kaitiakitanga. Three new awards – for Community Engagement, Employer of Choice Award, and Economic Success, have attracted strong interest from entrants.

“More than 100 tourism businesses and individuals have entered the awards, which celebrate the industry’s success, and recognise the efforts of operators to provide economic, environmental and social benefits to New Zealanders and Aotearoa,” said TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone who took the time to enter the Awards, even if they didn’t make it to finalist status. The Awards are a valuable opportunity to benchmark your business against your peers and demonstrate that you are striving to be the best.”

Three leading tourism professionals will also be recognised with individual awards. As well as the Emerging Tourism Leader Award and Tourism Industry Champion Award, the Sir Jack Newman Award will be announced. Annually since 1963 this award has recognised an individual’s outstanding contribution to tourism in New Zealand.

2019 New Zealand Tourism Awards finalists

Auckland Airport Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award – more than $6m annual turnover

• Air New Zealand
• INFLITE
• Southern Discoveries, Queenstown and Fiordland

Tourism Ticker Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award – less than $6m annual turnover

• Forgotten World Adventures, Taumarunui
• Kaitiaki Adventures, Rotorua
• Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights, Rotoru

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Māori Tourism Award

• Kaitiaki Adventures, Rotorua
• MDA Experiences, Rotorua
• Wharewaka o Pōneke Enterprises Ltd, Wellington

Westpac Economic Success Award

• GCH Aviation Ltd, Christchurch
• Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights, Rotorua
• Skyline Queenstown

The Great Journeys of New Zealand Industry Enabler Award

• Auckland Airport
• Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) & Tomahawk – Go With Tourism
• Department of Conservation – 2018-19 ‘Kiwi Way’ summer visitor campaign

Community Engagement Award

• Coastal Pacific, A Great Journey of New Zealand
• Stray & Kohutapu Lodge, Murupara
• Skyline Queenstown

Angus & Associates Visitor Experience Award

• Auckland War Memorial Museum
• GO Rentals, Auckland
• Mad Campers Ltd, Auckland
• Owen River Lodge, Murchison

Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award

• AJ Hackett Bungy NZ
• GCH Aviation Ltd, Christchurch
• SkyCity Entertainment Group
• Sudima Hotels

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Industry Connections Award

• CamperMate
• Development West Coast – Tourism
• Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

Enviro-Mark Solutions Environmental Award

• Auckland Zoo – Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau
• Kiwi Experience
• Sudima Hotels
• YHA New Zealand

Department of Conservation - Conservation Award

• Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
• Auckland Zoo – Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau
• Black Cat Cruises, Akaroa
• Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Award

• Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
• Auckland Zoo – Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau
• Black Cat Cruises, Akaroa
• Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony

Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award

• John Barrett, Kapiti Island Nature Tours
• Fergus Brown, Holiday Parks New Zealand
• Lisa Li, China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd, Auckland

Click here to visit the Tourism Industry Aotearoa website

See also:

Tourism is the beating heart of New Zealand’s economy

Tourism industry launches careers package to attract New Zealanders

New Zealand tourism industry disappointed at bed tax proposal