Celebrate the leaders shaping the future finance
For over a decade, the New Zealand CFO Awards have recognised the country’s most outstanding financial leaders, teams and organisations. From CFOs steering their businesses through disruption to emerging talent shaping the profession’s next chapter, these awards celebrate the people turning financial leadership into real business impact.
Presented by Brightstar, the New Zealand CFO Awards bring together the country’s finance community each year to recognise excellence, share insight, and set the benchmark for what great financial leadership looks like.
2027 Awards Timeline
Entries Open
1 APRIL 2027
Entries Close
2 JUNE 2027
Finalists announced
6 JULY 2027
Finalist Interviews
19 JULY 2027
Winners Announced
16 SEPTEMBER 2027
New Zealand CFO Summit
Explore emerging trends, strategic challenges, innovation, and opportunities shaping the future of finance in an evolving global business environment.
View the Awards Alumni
A decade of finance leadership, one legacy list. Browse the New Zealand CFO Awards winners since 2018 and see the names who’ve shaped the profession’s story so far.
Check out the 2025 winners
Relive the night New Zealand’s finance community came together to celebrate its best. See who took home top honours across every category at the most recent CFO Awards.
2027 Award Categories
Finance leadership today goes well beyond the numbers. It's about strategy, resilience, innovation and impact - and the New Zealand CFO Awards exist to recognise the individuals and teams delivering all four.
Each year, an independent panel of respected judges from across the finance and business community assesses nominees against rigorous criteria, culminating in a celebration evening where the country's best in finance are announced.
Whether you're nominating a colleague, putting yourself forward, or simply here to be inspired by the calibre of New Zealand's finance talent - you're in the right place. Check out the 2027 categories below
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
NEW ZEALAND CFO OF THE YEAR
New Zealand’s CFO of the Year recognises a CFO who has positioned the role strategically within their organisation and led a broader vision for impact across people, planet and business. They demonstrate innovation and key successes, along with a clear vision for the future and how this supports the organisation’s overall strategy.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
NEW ZEALAND CHIEF RISK OFFICER OF THE YEAR
New Zealand’s Chief Risk Officer of the Year recognises an exceptional risk leader who has positioned risk as a strategic priority within their organisation. They demonstrate how effective risk leadership strengthens organisational resilience, supports better decision-making and enables the organisation to achieve its strategic objectives.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR - GROWTH ENTITY
The Finance Leader of the Year – Growth Entity recognises an exceptional finance leader who is helping to shape and enable the sustainable growth of a small-to-medium sized business in New Zealand. The award celebrates finance leaders who combine strategic thinking, commercial insight and strong leadership to create meaningful impact across their organisation.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
EMERGING FINANCIAL LEADER OF THE YEAR
The Emerging Financial Leader of the Year recognises an exceptional finance professional who demonstrates strong leadership, influence and potential for the future. The award celebrates emerging finance leaders who are making a meaningful contribution to their organisation and the wider finance sector in New Zealand.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Emerging Financial Leader of the Year recognises an exceptional finance professional who demonstrates strong leadership, influence and potential for the future. The award celebrates emerging finance leaders who are making a meaningful contribution to their organisation and the wider finance sector in New Zealand.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Excellence in Financial Reporting Award recognises an organisation that demonstrates excellence in communicating its financial and non-financial performance through clear, transparent and insightful reporting. The award recognises the finance and reporting team behind an annual report that goes beyond presenting financial results to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the organisation’s performance, strategy, risks, opportunities and impact.
SPONSOR TO BE ANNOUNCED
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO FINANCE & BUSINESS
The Outstanding Contribution to Finance and Business Award recognises an individual who has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to finance and business in New Zealand or globally.
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING NEWS
Stay ahead of the curve with our latest finance and accounting updates. Explore expert analysis, critical industry trends, and key takeaways from our premier events. Plus, join us in celebrating industry excellence with our latest awards announcements and honoree spotlights.
NZ CFO Awards Alumni
Since 2018, the New Zealand CFO Awards have recognised some of the country's most respected finance leaders and teams. Explore the winners who've shaped the awards' legacy.
2025
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Stephen Morgan - Champion Flour Milling
FINANCE LEADER - GROWTH ENTITY
Jennifer Tupou, - The Fono Trust
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Scott Mancer - Palmerston North City Council
BEST FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
T&G Global
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ
2024
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
David Mackrell - NZME
FINANCE LEADER - GROWTH ENTITY
Bryan Corfield - NZ National Fieldays Society
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Michelle Young - One NZ
BEST FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Hutt City Council
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
NZ Super Fund
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Lyn Provost
2023
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Rosalie Percival
SME FINANCE LEADER
Louise Keene - Humphreys Landscaping
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Louise Keene - Humphreys Landscaping
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Marko Bogoievski
BEST FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
One New Zealand
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Fred Hollows Foundation
FINANCE FOR IMPACT
solarZero
2022
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Kar Yue Yeo
SME FINANCE LEADER
Tracey Swinehart
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Rimma Gayfullina
BEST FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Xplor Technologies
FINANCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
OCS
2021
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Philip Neutze
SME FINANCE LEADER
Nigel Lowe
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Sarah Davies
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Kāinga Ora
FINANCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Metro Performance Glass
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Sue Sheldon
2020
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Lara Ariell - Inland Revenue
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Sir Brian Roche
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Marina Cook - Play Centre Aotearoa
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Sanford
FINANCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Synlait Milk
2019
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Scott Scoullar
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Sir Rob McLeod
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Nicki Florence
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Xero
FINANCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
OCS
2018
NZ CFO OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Whooley - Stride Property Group
CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS & FINANCE
Dame Alison Paterson
EMERGING FINANCE LEADER
Hannah Howard
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Air New Zealand
FINANCIAL INNOVATION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
New Zealand Fieldays Society
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