
4 September 2025 | Cordis, Auckland
2025 New Zealand CFO Summit & Awards
Brightstar in association with CAANZ
are delighted to bring you the 2025 CFO Summit & Awards.

SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
The New Zealand CFO Summit is the premier gathering of senior finance professionals in the country.
The Summit explores the key finance, economic and business issues of the day and the production team will engage and research at a senior level, with CFOs, economists and business analysts and finance experts to develop a high-level agenda.
Co-located: The Finance & Accounting Technology Forum which will explore the technology transforming the finance function.
It provides a platform for engagement and learning to forge ahead in today’s modern finance imperatives by understanding, embracing the latest technologies and leveraging the newest advanced digital tools.
TRENDING
TOPICS
Key topics include
- The future of money, payments and digital identity
- What you need to inform your Cybersecurity strategy
- Recent capital and debt transactions
- ESG and nature-based reporting
- AI to optimise the finance function
- Trends in workplace culture, leadership, and team wellbeing
Key themes for the Summit have in the past included:
The economic operating context – global / national threats & opportunities
Global geo-politics
Economic forecasts
Labour market challenges
Impact of regulation on business
Finance innovation and business transformation through tech; AI & automation
Business perspectives on sustainability and ESG
Leadership The future CFO – the transforming role and changing responsibilities of the finance leader
Culture and leadership
Business disruption
Director / Board perspectives
Join us to gain the insights and strategies needed to navigate the complex future ahead.
2025 CFO AWARDS
4 September 2025 | Cordis, Auckland
The prestigious New Zealand CFO Awards Dinner recognises the trailblazers who are shaping the future of finance. Join to celebrate and congratulate the 2025 finalists and winners for their accomplishments.
Register your interest to enter or nominate for the 2025 Awards.

Brightstar will offer a limited number of scholarship tickets to CFOs and senior finance leaders who are from not-for-profit organisations or organisations that aren’t able to fund attendance – please fill in the form to apply.
Venue
The location and how you can get there
Address
Cordis, Auckland
83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010
Agenda
We are currently working on the programme and agenda.
If you would like to have input into our research programme please email johnm@brightstar.co.nz
Speakers
Speakers to be announced

Rethinking Safety Leadership: From Heroes to Hosts
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NZ Security Agencies Urge Cyber Vigilance: “Don’t Click on Dumb Sh*t”
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From Checklists to Curiosity: How Boards Are Redefining Health and Safety Governance
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Healthcare’s Crossroads: Why Medico-Legal and Ethical Foundations Matter More Than Ever
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The Protected Disclosures Act: Understand Your Obligations
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Building Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty
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Upholding Workplace Safety: Driving Governance Changes
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Enhancing Healthcare Access & Equity in New Zealand
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Tired of being ‘on mute’? Give your career a boost
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Beyond the Click: The Power of In-Person Event Sponsorship
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25% GST, low marginal tax: Would it benefit New Zealand
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Cyber Security concerns for CIOs a global challenge
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Sponsors
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This exclusive event puts you in front of a highly skilled audience hungry for insights. Get ready for meaningful engagement that drives results.
Plus, we have some unique opportunities to put your company, products, and services in the spotlight.
Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact us today to learn more or secure your spot at this leading event.

2025 CFO AWARDS
4 September 2025 | Cordis, Auckland
The prestigious New Zealand CFO Awards Dinner recognises the trailblazers who are shaping the future of finance.
Join to celebrate and congratulate the 2025 finalists and winners for their accomplishments.
Awards Timeline
Awards Open
7 April 2025
Nominations Close
30 May 2025
Finalists Announced
30 June 2025
Finalist Interviews
5 August 2025
Awards Dinner
4 September 2025

2025 Award Categories
New Zealand CFO of the Year Award
New Zealand’s CFO of the Year will demonstrate how they have positioned the role of CFO strategically within the company and led a broader vision for impact (people & planet). They will be able to show innovation and key successes achieved over recent times as well as a strong vision for the future, describing how this can drive positive outcomes with the company’s overall business strategy.

Emerging Financial Leader of the Year Award
The Emerging Financial Leader of the Year Award recognises, celebrates and encourages the exceptional finance talent of professionals under the age of 40 years. We are looking for the future CFOs and leaders in the finance sector in New Zealand; people who have demonstrated outstanding finance leadership.

Finance Leader - Growth Entity
The Finance Leader – Growth Entity Award recognises exceptional leadership, talent and commitment to leading and supporting the growth of a Small-Medium business in New Zealand. This category is open to individuals holding the CFO or leading financial position within a New Zealand small to medium enterprise that has experienced high growth during their tenure.

Best Finance Team of the Year Award
This award recognises an outstanding finance team which has made a significant impact and contribution to the organisation’s performance and a broader vision of impact (people & planet). The judges will consider the team’s contribution to: Impact, Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation.

Excellence in Financial Reporting Award
The Excellence in Financial Reporting Award recognises companies that produce high-quality financial and annual reports that effectively communicate their financial and non-financial performance. The annual report is a critical communication tool for companies, providing shareholders, investors, and other stakeholders with an in-depth understanding of the company’s financial and non-financial performance, strategy, and goals. This award recognises the team effort led by the CFO and senior finance team in close coordination with communication teams to produce the annual report.

Outstanding Contribution to Finance & Business Award
The Outstanding Contribution to Finance & Business Award is given to a high profile business person (including, but not necessarily a current or former CFO) from a public or private company whose contribution has significantly and uniquely impacted the greater New Zealand or global business community in over the course of his or her career. He or she may live in New Zealand or abroad but must be a New Zealand citizen.

NZ CFO Awards Alumni
2024
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
Hutt City Council.
Excellence in Financial Reporting
WINNER
NZ Super Fund.
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Michelle Young, One NZ.
CFO of the Year
WINNER
David Mackrell, NZME.
2024 Finance Leader - Growth Entity
WINNER
Bryan Corfield, NZ National Fieldays Society.
Contribution To Business and Finance
WINNER
Lyn Provost.
2023
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
One New Zealand
Excellence in Financial Reporting
WINNER
The Fred Hollows Foundation
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Louise Keene, Humphreys Landscaping
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Rosalie Percival
SME Finance Leader
WINNER
Louise Keene, Humphreys Landscaping
Finance for Impact
WINNER
solarZero
Contribution To Business and Finance
WINNER
Marko Bogoievski
2022
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
Xplor Technologies
Financial Innovation Project of The Year
WINNER
OCS
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Rimma Gayfullina
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Kar Yue Yeo
SME Finance Leader
WINNER
Tracey Swinehart
2021
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
Kāinga Ora
Financial Innovation Project of The Year
WINNER
Metro Performance Glass
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Sarah Davies
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Philip Neutze
Contribution To Business And Finance
WINNER
Sue Sheldon
SME Finance Leader
WINNER
Nigel Lowe
2020
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
Sanford
Financial Innovation Project of The Year
WINNER
Synlait Milk
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Marina Cook, Play centre Aotearoa
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Lara Ariell, Inland Revenue
Contribution To Business And Finance
WINNER
Sir Brian Roche
2019
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
XERO
Financial Innovation Project of The Year
WINNER
OCS
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Nicki Florence
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Scott Scoullar
Contribution To Business And Finance
WINNER
Sir Rob McLeod
2018
Finance Team of the Year
WINNER
Air New Zealand
Financial Innovation Project of The Year
WINNER
New Zealand National Fieldays Society
Emerging Finance Leader of The Year
WINNER
Hannah Howard
CFO of the Year
WINNER
Jennifer Whooley – Stride Property Group
Contribution To Business And Finance
WINNER
Dame Alison Paterson
Tickets
Pre-Sale
-
Available for purchase until 11 April or until 40 tickets sold. For valid ticket, payment by 11 April, 2025.
Table of 10
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For a table of 10 booking. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Double Pass tickets
Double Pass
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Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Double Pass+Dinner Ticket
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Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Summit & Dinner tickets (all access)
Super Saver
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Available until 4 July OR until 40 tickets sold, whichever occurs first. For valid ticket, payment by 4 July, 2025.
Summit only tickets
Super Saver
-
Available until 4 July OR until 40 tickets sold, whichever occurs first. For valid ticket, payment by 4 July, 2025.
Dinner tickets
Table of 10
-
For Table of 10 at Awards Dinner. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Make an enquiry
Got questions? Write to us.