Christchurch Adventure Park (CAP), based in the Port Hills positions itself as a community asset, with the community that makes it what it is. This operator is closely linked with its neighbours and communities who have rallied around and supported them in hard times and who are there to celebrate and enjoy the good times.  

Judges commended the sustainability and environmental practices of the park including stream remediation, planting days, predator control, biodiversity enhancement and providing a platform for youth restorative justice programmes.  

They were also impressed with how the CAP team had overcome adversity, creating deep engagement with the emergency services community. This is a strong example of well-planned community engagement, with impactful results. 

In 2021, Queenstown-based iFLYIndoor Skydiving embarked on an ambitious social project to show business can deliver tangible well-being benefits for community. This became the iFLY Whakamana Youth Programme. Since its conception, 460 year 7/8 students from across the district have attended.  

Judges applauded iFLY’s excellent programme and how they utilise their business assets to benefit the community by providing an inspiring and ‘uplifting’ experience for rangatahi in the district to help grow confidence and support wellbeing.  

They also commended iFLY’s engagement with other agencies and organisations in the region, along with their strong practices around reviewing outcomes, monitoring progress, and demonstrating care about their engagement results. 

Tohu Experiences, based in Rotorua, has an ethos of ensuring that every experience is always about people. It intertwines business with their various community and environmental initiatives as a core strategy that defines social responsibility and seeks to set a benchmark for combining a successful business model with social enterprise. 

Judges were impressed with the whanau-centred enterprise which strives to not only deliver unique tourism and educational experiences, but also works hard to uplift and enhance outcomes of their local community.  Judges commended Tohu Experiences for their numerous programmes that support and inspire tamariki, rangatahi and their wider whanau, boosting health and wellness outcomes along with confidence and empowerment.  

These programmes include their Share the Ride with Whanau initiative, Share the Ride for Xmas - delivering new mountain bikes on Christmas Eve, their Legend of the Peaks kid runs supporting the Sir John Kirwan Foundation and better health outcomes for kids, and their multiple social programmes at Crankworx Rotorua.  

Tūhura Otago Museum has made significant impact in its community, with its steadfast commitment to education, culture, and engagement. It expects to hit 400,000 visitors this year, 100,000 up on last year, and educates over 37,000 kids yearly across NZ and the Pacific through formal programs.  

Tūhura Otago Museum truly express, integrate and deliver community engagement and collaboration into everything they undertake. Being a platform to celebrate, debate, educate and inspire locals and future generations, the Museum embraces its communities and the elements of cultural, social and environmental wellbeing. 

Judges praised Tūhura Otago Museum for being a leading example of a museum doing incredible work and engaging with their community at multiple levels.   They praised the Museum for their impressive results and clearly establishing themselves as a focal point for their community, along with being able to adapt and adjust according to feedback from their community.   

Since commencing tours in 2002, the Hobbiton Movie Set has provided an authentic, enchanting experience for guests, leaving lasting memories by sharing a slice of Middle-earth. Hobbiton has welcomed over 4.5 million visitors from around the world to the rolling green hills of the mighty Waikato, where Aotearoa’s countryside comes to life with iconic storybook landscapes and captivating stories

By continuously investing in new offerings and refining its services based on visitor feedback, Hobbiton continues to exceed expectations and offer an unforgettable world-class experience. 

Judges noted the progression they have made over time, from a quirky experience to a “machine that constantly tunes itself up - it’s a tour-de-force in terms of New Zealand tourism experience”. 

New Zealand Trails is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated adventure tourism company operating out of Arrowtown. They offer guests inclusive, multi-day tours exploring the real New Zealand, with dedicated Kiwi guides. 

New Zealand Trails cites a commitment to guest experience and sustainability as integral to their business, continually shaping a world class visitor experience programme.  

Judges rated this strongly, saying they were “very clearly guest-oriented, and responsive to feedback. This company champions everything New Zealand”. The guides were clearly very passionate and well-trained. Fantastic focus on the customer and training to ensure top-class delivery. Good to see year-on-year improvement.  

Te-Pā-Tū shares seasonal visitor experiences, premium manaaki and degustation kai.  

Previous winner of the resilience and innovation award, Te Pā Tū Actively has reduced visitor numbers and increased the quality of the experience. 

Judges gave glowing feedback on this well-evidenced, analytical and data-oriented entry. “Te Pā Tū has demonstrated a great reinvention and repositioning looking at what product they had – how do we re-imagine this to be successful?”  

The Landing Residences, situated on a 1000-acre property in the Bay of Islands, offer a premium experience through four guest residences nestled in stunning coastal scenery. The property has been developed to protect 43 registered archaeological sites and 5km of coastline and restored native bush, which is home to kiwi and other native birds.  

The neighbouring bay is the site of the first community where Māori and European settlers lived and traded together in 1814, with the settlers moving onto what is now The Landing over the following decade.   

Judges said The Landing had developed a deep understanding of their visitors, and used this to shape and improve the experience offered and understanding the customer journey. “This is clearly a premium experience and a wonderfully-run operation. Judges also commended the great effort of The Landing with their predator-free programme.

Since its inception, GO Rentals has driven high employee engagement. It regards it as mission critical that its people feel valued and are amply rewarded for their hard work, increasing employee support in the last year, offering more benefits, improved remuneration and greater emphasis on health and wellbeing.  

Judges said GO Rentals have lifted the bar yet again, with an inspiring entry clearly demonstrating how they’ve improved again since last year.  

From the tailor-made mental health training for managers, to deep embedding of sustainability practices, to the strategic approach to developing the people it was clear that all these initiatives were central to the business’ success.  

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is regarded as one of New Zealand's most beloved tourist attractions. By prioritising the wellbeing and hauora of their staff, they’ve witnessed remarkable returns, and attract top-tier talent from across New Zealand and internationally.    

Their recent initiatives include a new people and culture strategy, an updated health and wellbeing programme, and an employee recognition initiative. Efforts over the last few years have transformed this from a good workplace into a truly special community.  

Judges commended the innovative approaches to IT, addressing the housing issues for staff, and the strategic approach to prioritising wellbeing, which resulted in low turnover and a high NPS. 

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours is a small Māori-owned whanau business operating in one of the poorest towns in Aotearoa New Zealand. Kohutapu offers visitors authentic, engaging, real life experiences, such as guided tours to historic sites, community visits, marae powhiri, traditional kai, and interactive cultural workshops, seeking to harness tourism in a positive way to give back to our community, our people, our place and our environment.  

From working with, for and in a remote community, Kohutapu has increasingly been partnering with others from around the world to take our efforts global.  

Judges said it was clear Kohutapu was a doing a great job and making a positive impact in the community, with some highly innovative initiatives to really, meaningfully, look after their staff – that are very different from everybody else, eg paying off car loans, looking after children. 

Millbrook Resort, based in Queenstown, employs 320 team members in summer and 250 in winter. It has a dedicated People & Culture Team focused on staff support and wellbeing. 

Judges commented on the low staff turnover, and how many of Millbrook’s leaders had advanced through internal promotions, reflecting the resort’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering professional growth.  

They also applauded how Millbrook was continually adding to the employee experience, with both financial and non-financial incentives, including staff accommodation and transport. The resort strongly valued staff engagement, to the point of co-creating many of its policies with them.  

A model business for Tourism New Zealand's “Leading the world in Sustainable Tourism”, Taupo’s Huka Falls River Cruise has proven economically sustainable and resilient in economic hard times. 

Judges commended this longstanding resilient operator for the quality of the entry, and great job they were doing. In particular, they cited the depth of their involvement with other local tourism operators – and how the “strongest together” approach permeates their way of doing business.   

Judges also congratulated the great work over the years the Huka Falls River Cruise team had done from ecological and clustering perspective, especially through involvement in the Wairakei Tourist Park initiative.  

A small Māori-owned whanau business based in Murupara, Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours offers visitors authentic, engaging, real life experiences, including guided tours of historic sites, community visits, marae powhiri, traditional kai, and interactive cultural workshops.  

For the past 11 years working with, for and in their community, Kohutapu is now partnering with other stakeholders in the tourism industry to take its efforts global.  

Judges said Kohutapu’s offering was amazing what they’re doing, with several dimensions to what they do. They commended Kohutapu for using tourism as a force for good, their focus on visitor satisfaction and he engagement with indigenous people around the world, and the visionary and positive international impact their engagement with indigenous people around the world is having. They’re doing great things for destination Aotrearoa. 

Terra and Tide are a nature based eco-tourism touring business based on Waiheke Island founded in 2016.  With 12 staff providing both land- and marine-based tours, Terra and Tide aims be a leading regenerative tourism business in the Auckland region and nationally.   

Terra and Tide have increased guest numbers whilst keeping visitor feedback and reviews consistently high, along with achieving significant growth.  

Judges were impressed, commenting that Terra and Tide are an excellent business in all aspects demonstrating excellent results. They applauded the achievements demonstrated, as well as the robust and systematic approach across all aspects of sustainability. 

The Seventh Generation, based in Banks Peninsula, Akaroa, operates on the seventh-generation principle, an indigenous concept to protect for seven generations coming after us, while being informed by the seven generations that came before.  

The one-person, sole operator has created a resilient regenerative tourism business, investing in and producing research, championing the environment and educating youth in their own Aotearoa New Zealand histories so that they can understand where they have come from to walk boldly into the future. 

Judges applauded the bold kaupapa and articulate, thoughtful nature of this operator’s offering, and the incredibly rich story with interwoven family histories for visitors.  

Hell’s Gate is a Māori owned and operated business and is the only mud spa situated in an active geothermal reserve, where they share the Mātauranga Māori of their tupuna with manuhiri from around the world.  

Judges thought Hell’s Gate was an impressive business and commended the quality of the long-term plans, staffing strategy, business metrics, their link to a Māori healthcare provider as well as their engagement with Predator Free New Zealand programme and commitment to the Tiaki promise.  

Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa offers the first solar powered commercial thermal pools in the world, paving the way for tourism in Mid-Canterbury. Ōpuke is committed to honouring the environment as they deliver an exceptional experience, providing space for guests to relax and reconnect at the foothills of the Southern Alps.  

Judges applauded how Ōpuke had created an extra day of visiting for the area – and with it, huge economic benefit from attracting people into the region. They also commended both the business and environmental considerations, with the Carbon-zero footprint due to the solar array.  

Te Pā Tū offers a premium experience sharing seasonal visitor experiences, enriched manaaki and provenanced degustation kai. It has recently halved capacity, reduced CO2-e levels, increased yield, improved satisfaction ratings, unlocked new segments, created meaningful career-pathways and inspired industry through its transformative journey. 

Judges said Te Pā Tū has demonstrated once again an outstanding understanding of place to develop a unique experience for its manuhiri to move through. It’s a showcase and example of demonstrating pride of place and holistic outcomes for all involved. 

Ziptrek Ecotours is Queenstown’s first net zero carbon tourism business – a multi-award-winning eco-tourism operator renowned for delivering sustainability stories with a healthy dose of ziplining adventure. 

Situated on Queenstown’s iconic Bob's Peak, guests choose from one of three guided tours, ziplining through the native and mixed forest, alongside an incredible view of glacier-fed Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range as our guides deliver informative content on the treehouse decks, between ziplines. 

Judges applauded the innovative sustainability approaches Ziptrek had evidenced, as well as commending the impressive leadership and way of looking after their people.  

Discover Waitomo is the operator and kaitiaki of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri Cave, and Aranui Cave. Waitomo is more than just caves and glowworms – it’s a cultural hub rich in Maori myths and legends, with practical, engaging learning experiences in history, geology and biology that can’t be found in the classroom.  

For this finalist, 2024 marks a year where the cultural, social, economic and sustainability outcomes of building back post COVID-19 have truly been embedded in the business. 

Judges commended Discover Waitomo’s development of one of the most complex cave and cast monitoring systems in the world, as well as science partnerships including information exchange & Connection with DoC on catchment initiatives as “going beyond” the usual. Judges also applauded their pivot to a smaller group model for tours, and the positive effects this was having in all aspects of how the business operates. 

GO Rentals is a much loved Kiwi car rental brand that places people at the heart of everything they do. With global alliances, a targeted strategy that is owned by staff, and significant revenue growth in the last few years, GO Rentals stand out in international benchmarks. 

They have designed and built their own digital ecosystem, with a paperless visitor experience and real-time satisfaction metrics, enabling continuous improvement. By summer 2024 their vehicle fleet will be almost 60% EV and hybrid, and GO Rentals have achieved significant net reductions in emissions per kilometre travelled. 

Judges were impressed with the “simply sophisticated” approach of GO Rentals, with a sophisticated business model, applied in a simple way for customers and employees. With a very clear picture of themselves as gateway to Aotearoa, GO Rentals has a truly worldclass visitor experience that reflects New Zealand culture, in a way that builds the Tiaki promise into their delivery model.  

Hobbiton Movie Set, in Matamata, stands as an iconic experience in New Zealand's tourism landscape. This immersive and authentic Middle-earth experience has captivated over 4.5 million visitors and has significantly contributed to the local economy and showcased our country’s cinematic heritage.  

Hobbiton’s many community initiatives have supported local businesses to create a vibrant community, while its innovative marketing strategies, events, and partnerships have expanded our global reach, helping to keep Aotearoa New Zealand top of mind for potential visitors. 

Judges said if New Zealand, as a destination, was managed like Hobbiton, we’d be in awesome shape. They commended the longevity, conservation activities, and sustainability of this caretaker of the Lord of the Rings legacy, for growing record visitor numbers, 20 years after the release of the first film - as a true testament to their ability to adapt.

Operating in Rakiura Stewart Island, Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Pātea Doubtful Sound, Whakatipu Waimāori Queenstown, and Ōtautahi Christchurch, RealNZ’s purpose is to “help the world fall in love with conservation through extraordinary experiences in nature” with offerings including cruises, adventures, dining, and eco-experiences. 

Since its founding in 1954 by conservation pioneers Les and Lady Olive Hutchins, RealNZ maintains a rich heritage of fostering appreciation for New Zealand’s natural places, while working to regenerate ecosystems and protect Aotearoa's natural treasures for future generations. 

Judges said RealNZ’s engagement with sustainability, care for environment and community was outstanding in every way. The judges commended RealNZ for their all-round excellence, and how the founder ethos from 70 years ago has carried through into the contemporary business.  

RealNZ is a southern operator, providing authentic nature experiences in Rakiura Stewart Island, Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Pātea Doubtful Sound, Whakatipu Waimāori Queenstown, and Ōtautahi Christchurch. Its diverse offerings include water adventures, dining and eco-experiences. Additionally, it operates premier ski areas, Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone.   

RealNZ leads efforts like ‘Predator Free Maunga’ at Cardrona and Treble Cone, the Kārearea Project, ‘Plant a Seed,’ and partnerships with the Kea Conservation Trust. It has a memorandum for a predator-free Rakiura Stewart Island, with its Fiordland and Rakiura teams actively trapping predators. At Walter Peak High Country Farm, environmental restoration programmes include wilding pine removal, trapping, re-planting, soil health, organic farming, and eco-tours. RealNZ has also transitioned to electric and hybrid vehicles, including New Zealand’s first hybrid snow groomer.  

Judges commended RealNZ’s strategic approach, of identifying where they need to get to, with real data and numbers to back it up. This is an exemplar of how to shift your business to achieve change.  

The Headwaters Eco Lodge, based in Glenorchy, offers the first-ever accommodation facility designed and certified to Living Building Challenge (LBC) standards; the world's most rigorous and comprehensive sustainability guidelines.   

Its passive design and state-of-the-art technology reduce water and energy consumption, uses 50% less resources than similar facilities. It is generating its own energy onsite via one of the South Island’s largest solar gardens to achieve Net Positive Energy status.   

Judges spoke highly of how the Headwaters Eco Lodge had been set up from the outset to deliver exceptional outcomes – especially how the team had engaged with their community, built up trust, and achieved influence at a district scale with their composting initiative making sustainable change. 

Over the last 12 months, Wellington Airport has achieved outstanding results in reducing its environmental footprint and is on track to achieve net zero emissions for its own operations by 2028, two years ahead of schedule.   

It is taking a leadership role in decarbonising aviation. In the last six months, the airport has hosted the first-ever trial of hydrogen at a New Zealand airport, been selected as the home base for Air New Zealand’s first all-electric aircraft service, and welcomed its first shipment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.   

Judges said the airport’s achievements to date and future plans were credit-worthy and acknowledged its environmental work as a major sponsor of Predator Free Wellington, alongside other local biodiversity and social outreach activities.  

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, the heart of Wellington city, offers visitors a unique and immersive pristine nature destination, abundant with birdsong and flourishing with rare native species. Guests to Zealandia experience tours, interactive exhibits, and have opportunities for wildlife spotting, with the hospitality of Rātā café providing sustenance after their walk.    

The 225-hectare Zealandia ecosanctuary is now sustained through regenerative tourism and community spirit, with over 500 volunteers. Because of Zealandia, Wellington is one of the only cities in the world where bird biodiversity is increasing—not decreasing.  

Judges said Zealandia’s contribution to conservation – especially their 500-year vision - was aspirational and inspirational, and was a beacon of hope with its holistic approach to urban restoration. 

Kapiti Island Nature Tours is a whānau-run business offering day and overnight tours to Kapiti Island.  

Judges commended the finalist’s contributions to conservation in this beautiful place, its professionalism, and how it had evolved its offerings, growing from a day experience to overnighting. Also notable was the role the operator had played in increasing the populations of endangered wildlife on the island, in a way that is directly attributable to tourism. 

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours is a small Māori owned, whanau business, offering visitors authentic, engaging, real life experiences, such as guided tours into historic sites, community visits, powhiri on to their marae, traditional kai, and interactive cultural workshops.  

Kohutapu also aims to harness tourism in a positive way to give back to its community, people, place and environment.  

Judges spoke highly of the work the Kohutapu team was doing, saying it had always been a mover to the trend, and had had such a positive impact on the community - helping people who are disconnected from their culture reconnect. 

Tohu Experiences has been recognised for its unwavering commitment to providing authentic experiences, aligned with foundational value set. Established in 1989 as MDA Group, this family-owned Māori business has evolved into a leader in luxury and adventure tourism, intertwining cultural authenticity with environmental care. 

Judges commented on how Tohu Experiences has continued to innovate and evolve into high-end and luxury offerings. They commended their native tree planting, reducing net CO2 emissions, strengthening biodiversity, and helping communities thrive, and especially applauded the manner in which they offered Marae stay experiences.  

Tio Ōhiwa Harbour Cruise & Oyster Experience based in Ōhiwa, Bay of Plenty, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the local iwi, blending storytelling, traditional practices, and environmental stewardship to create culturally authentic and impactful visitor experiences.  

Recent initiatives have led to increased visitor satisfaction, strengthened community ties, and enhanced cultural preservation.  

Judges commended the wonderful leadership, water care procedures and positive impacts on whanau/hapū relations in this emerging tourism business. 

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours is a small Māori owned whanau business, offering visitors authentic, engaging, real life experiences, such as guided tours into historic sites, community visits, powhiri on to their marae, traditional kai, and interactive cultural workshops.  

Kohutapu also aims to harness tourism in a positive way to give back to its community, people, place and environment.  

Judges spoke highly of the work the Kohutapu team was doing, saying it had always been a mover to the trend, and had had such a positive impact on community - helping people who are disconnected from their culture reconnect. 

The Hotel Britomart in Auckland is New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star-rated hotel, designed to embody sustainable luxury, made by local artisans. The hotel blends a new 10-storey building with a fully refurbished 135-year-old heritage warehouse. The restaurant, kingi, focuses on premium, sustainable, seasonal seafood and game.   

As part of The Hotel Britomart and kingi’s commitment to sustainable action, the hotel partnered with Critical Design and LegaSea to use Critical Design’s proprietary technology to turn old commercial fishing nets and recycled post-consumer packaging and plastic wastes into chef-grade chopping boards.  

Judges noted the breadth of collaboration with other businesses, bringing local products and services to the guest market. They commended how well it showcased New Zealand innovation, and achieved remarkable cross-pollination of ideas, working with other businesses. All profits from the kingi board are invested in LegaSea to restore the abundance, biodiversity, and health of New Zealand’s marine environment.   

Tourism Bay of Plenty, established as a Regional Tourism Organisation in 2002, is a finalist with its “Flavours of Plenty”, the region’s culinary tourism strategy.   

In the last three years, Flavours of Plenty has grown into a foodie community, a funding platform, a brand, and an annual food festival that supports and celebrates its people, produce, plates, and place. Through this, they have brought additional visitors into the region during their off-peak season.  

Judges commended the collaboration with all the different businesses to put them on the map for food, how it raised the profile of many food producers, and created another reason to come to the region. 

Tourism Bay of Plenty has the lead role in ensuring the sustainable growth of the Western Bay of Plenty visitor economy and the management of the region as a visitor destination. In June 2024, its industry-leading sustainability programme The Green Room | Te Rūma Kākāriki reached a key milestone: graduating 100 organisations since its launch in 2022.  

The programme teaches and supports tourism operators, accommodation, hospitality, and event sector organisations to become more environmentally, socially, culturally, and financially sustainable. Its work strongly aligns with the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, Tiaki Promise, and vision of Tourism 2050, by enriching Aotearoa New Zealand through a flourishing tourism ecosystem. 

Judges commended the impressive scope and scale of the work being done by The Green Room | Te Rūma Kākāriki for promoting, aligning and leading sustainability in the region, and the great work they had been doing to get everyone in the same waka. 

GO Rentals has emerged as a global leader in tourism, car rental and digital innovation. GO Rentals reports significant success for customer satisfaction, employee engagement and economic and environmental sustainability.  

It has designed and built a digital ecosystem with a paperless customer experience, aligned with its one-on-one customer experience plan.  

Judges commented on how effectively GO Rentals had assessed all its processes, adjusted their practices to get a better outcome, never gave up, and came back stronger than before. 

Hobbiton Movie Set exemplifies innovation and resilience in New Zealand's tourism industry. Its commitment to delivering an immersive Middle-earth experience has enchanted over 4.5 million visitors since 2002, bolstering the local economy and providing an authentic, world-class experience in rural Waikato.  

Hobbiton has been continually innovating and investing in new offerings, with projects like the recent addition of Bagshot Row, an interior Hobbit Hole experience, enhancing and enriching the visitor experience. 

Judges said Hobbiton has now become well-established, while continuously looking for where they can improve, and commended the data-driven decision-making. 

LyLo offers savvy, cost-conscious travellers multi-purpose spaces to play, eat, work, and sleep. With a mix of personal boutique sleeping pods, double rooms with shared bathrooms, private ensuite rooms and family rooms, LyLo caters to every travel style.  

Judges applauded LyLo’s use of data and innovation, and were impressed by the storytelling and redefinition of customer experience as much as how the business hit a “super impressive” volume demand. 

Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa offers the first solar powered commercial thermal pools in the world, providing space for guests to relax at the foothills of the Southern Alps.  

“Sourced from the mountains, warmed by the sun”, this innovative operation draws from principles of sustainable operations and the story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. 

Judges were highly impressed with how Ōpuke was delivering an enriched, extraordinary experience, and just how much had been achieved with the resources available. They especially commended this entry as a great example of how a community can use innovative ways to build resilience and deliver excellent results.  

Gavin Faull, Chairman and president, executive director of Swiss-Belhotel International is "a true tourism leader on the world stage”. Swiss-Belhotel International is a Kiwi-owned and family-run international business with more than 135 hotels, resorts and projects in 19 countries. 

Judges said Gavin was a true international leader in the tourism industry, showing personal integrity and building a legacy that will last for generations. He has maintained and brought back business and ideas to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Gavin’s globe-spanning 35-year career in hotel management and operations demonstrates New Zealand Tourism entrepreneurship at its best across the globe - he’s an extremely competent CEO, who has brought a lot of business into New Zealand.  

David Kennedy, General Manager of the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, has over 30 years in the tourism industry. He has been a passionate advocate for building high-performing teams dedicated to delivering exceptional tourism experiences, whether directly with taonga manuhiri or strategically with diverse stakeholders across our inspiring industry.  

Judges commented how David has worked across the sector and has held key roles, ranging from regional tourism organisations to major attractions. Judges commended David as a very competent leader, noting that wherever David has gone, he’s done great things! They described him as a safe pair of hands, in the best possible way – while always chasing excellence and digging in for the good of the tourism industry. 

Nadine ToeToe, owner and director of Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours, has over 25 years in the tourism industry, with unwavering dedication to the industry, her community, environment, and the next generation.  

With a deep passion for Indigenous Tourism and sustainable tourism practices, she champions initiatives that benefit local communities, preserve natural environment and inspire the next generation of leaders in the industry.  

Judges commended Nadine’s entry, saying she was clearly extremely passionate, harnessing tourism to change her community, and was a wonderful, rising superstar of the industry. 

Charlotte Laurentin leads a team of 20 as the Front Office Manager at Millbrook Resort. She ensures smooth daily operations and a personalised luxury experience for all guests.   

Charlotte's innovative initiatives, such as supporting the development of an e-commerce platform for digital gift cards and launching 'surprise and delight' guest experiences, have significantly enhanced guest satisfaction.   

She has rebuilt the front office team post-COVID while driving revenue growth. Recognised for her commitment, Charlotte was honoured with Millbrook’s ‘Employee of the Year’ award in 2023, underscoring her dedication and excellence. 

Judges noted that, while in the early stages of her career, Charlotte is full of energy, enthusiasm and initiative. She is a passionate team builder and leader, and is to be commended for her work at Millbrook. 

A kiwi born and bred, this finalist had not realised how special Aotearoa New Zealand is until spending 15 years living abroad.  

Anne Newman came into the industry later in life, bringing a fresh approach and a wealth of experience in business. As a leader at Christchurch Adventure Park, this has stood her in good stead to face the numerous challenges CAP has faced.   

Judges commended Anne for the great work she has done in her time at the Christchurch Adventure Park, especially the recapitalisation project, and how she had not shied away from any challenges. A clear and passionate leader, Anne has demonstrated how she is able to build very strong support among her staff and recognise how this is a team game.  

James Stokes began his tourism career as a pilot, showing off the Southern Lakes Region to the world. In 2019 he grasped the opportunity to realise a dream of owning his own Airline business, becoming the Managing Director of Glenorchy Air. During this time, he has dedicated himself to revolutionizing the flightseeing sector in the Southern Lakes Region.  

Judges commended James’ work since taking over at Glenorchy Air, the amazing turn-around of the company, and progress towards his goal of revolutionizing the flightseeing sector. They especially applauded his bravery – a critical quality for leaders in today’s tourism industry.  

With a staunch passion for the tourism industry, Zac Watson, General Manager of Maverick Digital Tourism Marketing, is dedicated to impacting Aotearoa New Zealand's visitor economy. An advocate for blending technology, creativity, and passionate people, Zac has enriched various visitor economy businesses over the past nine years.   

Under his guidance, Maverick has launched various beneficial initiatives, excelled across staff and client engagement scoring in the top 10% of companies in New Zealand for both, and always has an eye on collaborating with tourism businesses and people for the greater good of the industry.   

Judges commended Zac for his rapid rise through the industry to the General Manager role. In this time, he has brought in a lot of initiatives, is well-liked by his staff, and gives back to the industry through involvement in TEC, and other board and reference group positions.