2025 Categories and Criteria

Supreme Tourism Award   
The tourism industry’s highest accolade, the Supreme Tourism Award will be selected from the ten business award winners. The actions or initiatives and results achieved by the business or organisation will have created a step-change that makes an outstanding contribution to growing a regenerative tourism industry that benefits New Zealanders.  

Tourism Excellence Award - Large Business 
The Tourism Excellence Award recognises a large tourism business (over $6 million annual turnover) that has the wellbeing of communities at its heart, is representative of our culture and values, has an excellent visitor experience at its core, it nurtures the natural environment and is brought to life by a profitable enterprise that shows a high level of responsibility.  
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Tourism Excellence Award - Small-Medium Business 
The Tourism Excellence Award recognises a small-medium tourism business (over $1.5 million and under $6 million annual turnover) that has the wellbeing of communities at its heart, is representative of our culture and values, has an excellent visitor experience at its core, it nurtures the natural environment and is brought to life by a profitable enterprise that shows a high level of responsibility.
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Tourism Excellence Award - Micro Business 
The Tourism Excellence Award Micro-Business recognises a tourism business (under $1.5 million annual turnover) that has the wellbeing of communities at its heart, is representative of our culture and values, has an excellent visitor experience at its core, it nurtures the natural environment and is brought to life by a profitable enterprise that shows a high level of responsibility. 
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Community Engagement Award      
The Community Engagement Award recognises a business that is a leader in engaging and supporting vibrant communities.    
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Employer of Choice Award   
The Employer of Choice Award recognises a tourism business that has risen to workforce challenges, and is maintaining a positive and high performing workplace, with industry leading practices and innovations to retain and recruit staff.  
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Environment Award    
The Environment Award recognises an environmentally sustainable tourism business that actively supports and champions environmental initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste, and embrace kaitiakitanga – guardianship and protection of our natural, built and cultural resources.  
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Tourism Collaboration Award    
The Tourism Collaboration Award recognises a Regional Tourism Organisation, Economic Development Agency, central or local government agency, research organisation, education provider, sector association, industry business, or group of two or more businesses that have aligned/partnered to successfully maximise their tourism industry impact and results.     
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Toroa ā-Uta, Toroa ā-Tai Māori Tourism Award 
Toroa ā-Uta, Toroa ā-Tai Māori Tourism Award draws inspiration from Professor Tom Roa’s karakia (see the criteria). Māori tourism businesses have a distinct role, sharing unique stories of identity and whenua. This Award recognises and celebrates Māori tourism businesses that integrate these stories of identity and whenua across their operations, enabling the success of whānau, hapū and iwi as their unique selves. They offer experiences that contribute to the holistic wellbeing of our communities.
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Innovation Award    
The Innovation Award recognises a tourism business that exemplifies innovative and creative problem-solving alongside operational business excellence.  
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Visitor Experience Award  
The Visitor Experience Award recognises a tourism business that is meeting and exceeding the expectations of visitors.    
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The following categories are open to individuals:

Tourism Industry Champion Award      
The Tourism Champion Award recognises an outstanding tourism professional who has been in the tourism industry for more than 10 years.  
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Emerging Tourism Leader Award      
The Emerging Tourism Leader Award recognises an outstanding tourism professional who has been in the tourism industry for less than 10 years.     
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Sir Jack Newman Outstanding Industry Leader Award    
Nominations for the Sir Jack Newman Outstanding Industry Leader Award are also open. The Sir Jack Newman Award is the New Zealand tourism industry’s most prestigious individual award. This award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to New Zealand tourism over many years.  
Download the Sir Jack Newman Award nomination form 

See Terms and Conditions for all Awards here.