Tourism Industry Aotearoa reveals finalists for New Zealand Tourism Awards 2022

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has revealed the finalists for New Zealand’s prestigious tourism awards which showcase and celebrate the industry’s individual and business successes.

Winners will be announced in person at a special Awards dinner on 10th November in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, following Tourism Summit Aotearoa.

TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram notes “what has been achieved in the past 12 months is nothing short of extraordinary. I want to warmly congratulate everyone who took the time to enter the Awards, even if they didn’t make it to finalist status. The competition is tough, and I know the judges really agonised over their decisions this year.”

Judges said the high quality of this year’s entries was a strong statement on the calibre of the people in the NZ tourism industry with a member of the judging panel advising “judging these entries was humbling. All entrants deserve recognition for turning the ship around or keeping it steady in a time of crisis. It’s heart-warming to know the industry is in such good hands.”

 The three awards for individuals are open to outstanding performers in the industry, and nine awards recognise business excellence, industry alignment and organisations that are living the values of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment.

Tourism’s most prestigious new award, the Regenerative Tourism Award, will recognise a business that has the wellbeing of communities at its heart, is representative of Aotearoa’s culture and values, has an excellent visitor experience at its core and is brought to life by a profitable enterprise that shows a high level of social responsibility.

Tickets to the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2022 dinner to be held on 10th November are available at www.nztourismawards.org.nz.  

The full list of New Zealand Tourism Awards 2022 Finalists

Airbnb Regenerative Tourism Award  

• Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd

• Owen River Lodge

• Ziptrek Ecotours

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Community Engagement Award 

• Driftwood Eco Tours

•  iFLY Indoor Skydiving NZ LTD

• Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd  

Department of Conservation - Conservation Award  

• Discover Waitomo, Tourism Holdings Limited

• The Landing

• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Limited  

Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award  

• Christchurch Airport

• iFLY Indoor Skydiving NZ LTD

• Millbrook Resort  

Environment Award  

• Christchurch Airport

• East By West Company Limited

• The Landing

Tourism New Zealand Industry Collaboration Award  

• Angus & Associates

• Maverick Digital and Trust Tairāwhiti

• Otago Cycle Trail Collaboration Initiative 

• Regional Tourism New Zealand

He Toa Takitini Māori Tourism Award

• Kapiti Island Nature Tours

•  Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd

• MDA Experiences

• Russell - Orongo Bay Holiday Park

Westpac Resilience and Innovation Award  

• Altitude Tours

• Christchurch Airport

• Haka Tourism Group

NZME Visitor Experience Award  

• Akaroa Dolphins

• Altitude Tours

• Hollyford Wilderness Experience

Individual Awards  

PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Award  

• Alex Dykman, Maverick Digital

• Antz Longman, Tourism Central Otago

• Anne Newman, Christchurch Adventure Park

Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award 

• John Barrett, Kapiti Island Nature Tours

• Dylan Rushbrook, Tourism Central Otago

• Nicholas Sautner, The Eden Park Trust

The Sir Jack Newman Award for Outstanding Industry Leader will also be presented on the night.

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

Image top: Hollyford Wilderness Experience have been selected as a finalist for the New Zealand Tourism Awards: Visitor Experience Award 2022; Image above: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve has been selected as a finalist for the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2022: Conservation Award 2022. The Conservation Award recognises an environmentally sustainable tourism business that embraces kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and protection of our natural, built and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations