Recognising Aotearoa’s top tourism experiences – finalists named for 2024 Tourism Awards

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) has announced the finalists for the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2024.  

The awards showcase and celebrate the very best of New Zealand tourism’s individual and business successes. The 47 finalists were drawn from over 120 entrants and include Kiwi businesses operating at global scale to a deeply personal offering by a single guide, providing a unique experience of people, place and environment.

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TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram says the breadth and quality of the entries are increasing year on year – indicating the industry’s commitment to providing outstanding tourism. 

“Aotearoa New Zealand is one of those places people from around the world dream about visiting. This is the industry’s way of recognising the people who deliver, and keep improving on, these experiences. 

“These finalists are setting incredibly high standards – and serve as both an inspiration and benchmark for the industry,” Ingram said.  

Many of the categories were closely contested, with careful consideration to select the finalists. Three of the categories acknowledge outstanding performers in the industry, and ten awards recognise business excellence, industry alignment and values that are in line with the Tourism Sustainability Commitment.   

“Not only are all of the finalists great operators in terms of what they offer, they are also judged on their positive impact on local communities, how they restore and protect our natural environment, and how they build economic sustainability,” Ingram says. 

Winners will be announced in person at an Awards gala dinner on 6 November in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, following Tourism Summit Aotearoa. The Summit, a key event in the national tourism calendar, brings together more than 300 business and government leaders from all sectors of the industry. The theme this year is Visitor Experience (VX) in a Changing World.   

 

Wayfinder Community Engagement Award 2024   Finalists

Christchurch Adventure Park  

iFLY Indoor Skydiving 

Tohu Experiences 

Tūhura Otago Museum   

 

NZME Visitor Experience Award 2024  Finalists

Hobbiton Movie Set  

New Zealand Trails 

Tauhara North Tourism – Te Pā Tū   

The Landing  

 

Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award 2024  Finalists

GO Rentals    

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa   

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd 

Millbrook Resort  

 

Tourism Excellence Award (Micro Business) 2024  Finalists

Huka Falls River Cruise  

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd 

Terra and Tide   

The Seventh Generation  

 

Tourism Excellence Award (Small-Medium Business) 2024  Finalists

Hell’s Gate 

Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa 

Tauhara North Tourism – Te Pā Tū  

Ziptrek Ecotours   

 

Johnston’s Coachlines Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business) 2024  Finalists

Discover Waitomo  

GO Rentals  

Hobbiton Movie Set  

RealNZ  

 

KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award 2024  Finalists

RealNZ  

The Headwaters Eco Lodge 

Wellington Airport  

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne   

 

Toroa ā-uta, Toroa ā-tai Māori Tourism Award* 2024  Finalists

Kapiti Island Nature Tours  

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd   

The MDA group  

Tio Ōhiwa Harbour Cruise & Oyster Experience  

*Sponsored by New Zealand Māori Tourism  

 

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Industry Collaboration and Alignment Award 2024  Finalists

Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd 

The Hotel Britomart   

Tourism Bay of Plenty – Flavours of Plenty 

Tourism Bay of Plenty - The Green Room 

 

Resilience and Innovation Award 2024  Finalists

GO Rentals 

Hobbiton Movie Set  

LyLo Operations NZ Limited  

Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa  

 

The Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award will be selected from these ten business award winners and will be presented at the Gala Dinner.  

Individual Award Finalists 

Auckland Airport Tourism Industry Champion Award 2024  

Gavin M. Faull, Swiss-Belhotel International  

David Kennedy, International Antarctic Centre  

Nadine ToeToe, Kohutapu Lodge & Tribal Tours Ltd  

 

Emerging Tourism Leader Award 2024  Finalists

Charlotte Laurentin, Millbrook Resort 

Anne Newman, Christchurch Adventure Park 

James Stokes, Glenorchy Air   

Zac Watson, Maverick Digital Tourism Marketing 

The Sir Jack Newman Award for Outstanding Industry Leader will also be presented at the Gala Dinner.