New Zealand Project Management Awards 2026
26 May 2026 | Grand Millennium, Auckland
Inspiring excellence — meet the winners
In an evening that brought together New Zealand’s project management community, the Awards celebrated excellence, leadership, and dedication in driving project success across 8 categories.
PMINZ Distinguished Contributors
The Distinguished Contributor Award is the highest honour the New Zealand Chapter can bestow, recognising individuals who have made a significant and sustained contribution to both PMINZ and the wider project management profession. Only 18 individuals have been awarded this title.
WINNER – Nicola Faithfull
WINNER – Matthew Percival
Project Management Office of the Year
Sponsored by Millpond
A small but mighty team, the Wholesale Operations PMO has built strong foundations through risk-based governance, clear reporting, and digital tools that improve transparency and delivery confidence across a complex portfolio.
A great reminder that the impact of a PMO isn’t always about size – it’s about enabling people with the right support, coaching, and systems to deliver successfully.
WINNER – Wholesale Operations PMO, Genesis Energy
Public Sector Project of the Year
Sponsored by NONSUCH
Through strong governance, staged delivery, smart risk management, and genuine community engagement, this project delivered meaningful flood relief outcomes and lasting public value for the Morningside community.
A powerful example of public sector project delivery making a real difference where it matters most.
WINNER – Morningside Flood Relief, Whangarei District Council
Technology Project of the Year
Sponsored by Deloitte
A landmark project bringing advanced warehouse automation to New Zealand for the first time, the Douglas AutoStore Installation project successfully integrated complex hardware and software systems to deliver a highly efficient and scalable fulfilment solution.
WINNER – Douglas AutoStore Installation Project, Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Construction Project of the Year
Delivered on a highly constrained CBD site under significant public scrutiny, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, while achieving an outstanding safety record across more than 300,000 hours worked.
Innovative construction methods, strong BIM coordination, and a collaborative delivery approach have helped create a project now delivering lasting cultural, social, and economic impact for Ōtautahi.
WINNER – The Court Theatre, OCTA
Sustainability in Project Management of the Year
Sponsored by Leva Advisory
Recognised for embedding sustainability into project delivery in a practical and measurable way, the project achieved a strong balance across environmental, financial, and operational outcomes, while delivering within a compressed timeframe and maintaining strong stakeholder alignment.
A standout example of sustainability creating lasting impact beyond the project itself.
Congrats, Genesis Energy!
WINNER – Huntly T3 Transformer Decommissioning and Circular Recovery Project, Genesis Energy
Project Professional of the Year
Sponsored by Fonterra
Netin Chand was recognised for exceptional leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and consistently delivering meaningful outcomes under complex real-world constraints. Netin’s ability to build trusted relationships, communicate with clarity, and create lasting impact through sustainability and knowledge sharing demonstrated a strong and consistent standard of professional excellence.
WINNER – Netin Chand
PMINZ Volunteer of the Year
The PMINZ Volunteer of the Year Award recognises individuals whose passion, leadership, and commitment help strengthen the project management profession and community across Aotearoa.
WINNER – Pradeep Ramakrishnan
Celebrating the full list of finalists:
Construction Project of the Year
2026 Finalist: Ngā Tamariki Expansion Project, Mercury
2026 Finalist: Project Crystal, Fonterra
2026 Finalist: The Court Theatre, Octa
Sustainability in Project Management of the Year (Sponsored by Leva)
2026 Finalist: Te Kuru Wetlands, Christchurch City Council
2026 Finalist: Air New Zealand, TSA Riley
2026 Finalist: Huntly T3 Transformer Decommissioning and Circular Recovery Project, Genesis
PMO of the Year (Sponsored by Millpond)
2026 Finalist: Alxemy PMO Consulting, Alxemy Business Solutions Limited
2026 Finalist: Core VMO, Kiwibank
2026 Finalist: Capital Projects CoE Team, Fonterra
2026 Finalist: Wholesale Operations PMO, Genesis
Project Professional of the Year (Sponsored by Fonterra)
2026 Finalist: Netin Chand
2026 Finalist: Greg Wood
2026 Finalist: Dr Lorraine Skelton
Public Sector Project of the Year (Sponsored by Nonsuch)
2026 Finalist: Morningside Flood Relief, Whangarei District Council
2026 Finalist: Community Group Home (CGH) Pricing Model Project, Disability Support Services
2026 Finalist: Te Kura Rau Iti, Beca
2026 Finalist: Te Kuru Wetlands, Christchurch City Council
Technology Project of the Year (Sponsored by Deloitte)
2026 Finalist: CaSS (Commission and Sales System), Barfoot & Thompson
2026 Finalist: KiwiRail Tunnel Scanning & Digital Twin, KiwiRail
2026 Finalist: Douglas AutoStore Installation Project, Douglas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Volunteer of the Year
Kanat Sultanbekov (Special Acknowledgement)
Pierre Pienaar (Special Acknowledgement)
Distinguished Contributor Awardees are chosen by the judging committee.
Thank you to our sponsors
Leva Advisory
Millpond
Fonterra
Nonsuch
Deloitte
