
4 September 2025 | Cordis, Auckland
2025 New Zealand CFO Summit & Awards
Navigating uncertainty with knowledge and connection
The New Zealand CFO Summit is the premier gathering of senior finance professionals in the country. As we move cautiously and navigate our path to confidence, the reality of our exposure to global shifts and geopolitical risks is undeniable.
The agenda offers sharp, timely critical analysis from a range of experts, providing invaluable insights for CFOs, businesses and finance leaders to chart their way forward.
The Summit is followed by the prestigious CFO Awards ceremony and dinner, which celebrates the best in finance and recognises the leaders and trailblazers who are shaping the future of finance.
Key themes for the Summit
Key topics include
- Analysing global economic conditions and geopolitical risks
- Financial strategies to mitigate risk in an uncertain operating environment
- Unlocking productivity – searching for solutions
- Agentic AI in finance and business
- Tackling cybercrime 2.0
Exploring ESG in times of uncertainty - The evolving landscape of financing and capital raising
- Future proofing the strategic finance function
- Reskilling the finance profession for the future
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.
Finalists to be announced 30 June.

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.
Media Partner
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
8:10 | Registration and Coffee |
8:50 | Mihi whakatau |
9:00 | Welcoming remarks from the MC Madison Malone |
9:10 | NZ CFO Summit Address from the Minister of Finance
|
9:30 | Keynote address: Examining the global economic and geopolitical outlook
Nick Bryant, Award-winning writer, BBC broadcaster and author of Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself |
10:00 | CFO and Business Leaders Panel
Murray Waugh, Chief Financial Officer, Yealands Wine Group Julia Fink, Chief Financial Officer, Climate Change Commission Mike Roan, Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Joe Bebbington, Chief Financial Officer, ANZCO Foods Kathryn Waugh, Chief Financial Officer, Oceania Healthcare |
10:45 | Morning break |
11:15 | Productivity panel: Searching for solutions to New Zealand’s longstanding productivity challenge
Craig Renney, Policy Director and Economist, Council of Trade Unions Dave Heatley, Director, Sawtooth Economics |
12:00 | CFO keynote: Delivering effective strategic financial management in a volatile market – mitigating risks and seizing opportunities through innovation
David Mackrell, Chief Financial Officer, NZME |
12:30 | Lunch |
1:30 | Cybercrime 2.0: AI, Money Mules, and the New Wave of Corporate Financial Fraud
Eftsure speaker TBC |
1:50 | Towards the next frontier – delivering Agentic AI in finance and business
|
2:10 | Panel discussion: Exploring ESG in times of uncertainty
Andrew Davies, CEO, B Lab Australia and New Zealand Simon Tucker, Group Director, Global External Affairs, Fonterra James Paterson, Head of Sustainable Finance, ASB Corporate Banking Kate Wilson Butler, Director - Climate, Sustainability & ESG, Chapman Tripp |
3:00 | Afternoon break |
3:20 | Maximising the impact of data and analytics for finance transformation
|
3:40 | Corporate financing, funding and investment strategies – exploring the evolving landscape of capital raising
Henry Chung, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Jarden |
4:10 | Harnessing digital technology for finance transformation
|
4:30 | Future proofing the strategic finance function - workforce planning for a changing world
Charlotte Evett, General Manager, New Zealand Regions, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand |
5:00 | MC Closing remarks and close of Summit Madison Malone |
5:00 | CFO Summit Networking Drinks |
7:00 | CFO Awards Ceremony Dinner |
Speakers
Speakers to be announced

Simon Tucker
Read bio

James Paterson
Read bio

Charlotte Evett
Read bio

Henry Chung
Read bio

Andrew Davies
Read bio

Dave Heatley
Read bio

Craig Renney
Read bio

Kathryn Waugh
Read bio

Mike Roan
Read bio

Murray Waugh
Read bio

Nick Bryant
Read bio

Joe Bebbington
Read bio
Sponsors
Don't miss out on the connections and credibility boost!
Live B2B events are your chance to shine. Showcase your thought leadership, solidify your market position, and forge valuable connections with potential customers – all at once.
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.

FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR CFO AWARDS 2025!
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
Entries Now Closed
5 June 2025
Finalists Are Announced!
30 June 2025
Finalist Interviews
5 August 2025
Awards Dinner
4 September 2025
2025 Award Categories & The Finalists
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.
FINALISTS:
Andrew Allan, Community Finance & Community Housing Funding Agency
Debby Wong, OCS Ltd
Stephen Morgan, Champion Flour Milling

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.
FINALISTS:
Andrew Allan, Community Finance & Community Housing Funding Agency
Daniel Keys, Ritchies Transport
Shane Bryson, T&G Global
Scott Mancer, Palmerston North City Council
Vidura Galpoththage, Marsden Maritime Holdings

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.
FINALISTS:
Jennifer Tupou, The Fono Trust
Simoli Patel, Freshco

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.
FINALISTS:
Mars New Zealand
Champion Flour Milling
T&G Global

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.
FINALISTS:
The recipient is selected by the judging panel and will be announced at the NZ CFO Awards Ceremony Dinner.

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.
FINALISTS:
The recipient is selected by the judging panel and will be announced at the NZ CFO Awards Ceremony Dinner.

CFO Awards MC | Matt Heath


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
TICKET OPTIONS:
PRE-SALE Summit Ticket
-
Available for purchase until 30 May or until 40 tickets sold. For valid ticket, payment by 30 May, 2025.
Table of 10
-
For a table of 10 booking. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Double Pass tickets
Double Pass Summit Only
-
Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Double Pass+Dinner Ticket
-
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
-
Available until 11 July OR until 40 tickets sold, whichever occurs first. For valid ticket, payment by 11 July, 2025.
Summit only tickets
Super Saver
-
Available until 11 July OR until 40 tickets sold, whichever occurs first. For valid ticket, payment by 11 July, 2025.
Dinner tickets
Table of 10
-
For Table of 10 at Awards Dinner. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2025.
Table of 10
NON-SPONSORING TECH VENDOR RATE-
For Table of 10 at Awards Dinner. For valid tickets, payment by 4 September, 2024 (rate for non-sponsoring tech vendor organisations).
Registration Conditions
VENDORS: The organisers reserve the right to decline registrations at any time. Non-sponsoring vendors are ineligible to purchase tickets, including single dinner tickets. If you wish to check your category please contact our offices on (09) 912 3616 or email sponsorship@brightstar.co.nz
Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
To remain valid, Super Saver and Early Bird tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.
For full terms & conditions, please visit
https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions
Safe events: our live events are run in line with industry best practice and government guidelines
Registration Conditions for CA ANZ Network Offer & Eligible Tickets:
Applies to any New Zealand CFO Summit ticket that includes access to the Summit. This also includes tickets that combine Summit access with the CFO Awards Ceremony Dinner.
Ineligible Tickets for discount: Tickets for the CFO Awards Dinner only are excluded.
Redemption Conditions:
Discount applies to the ticket price advertised on website at the time of purchase.
Promocode must be entered during online checkout or when booking directly through Brightstar.
Discount cannot be applied after a ticket has already been purchased.
Standard event ticket terms and conditions apply.
Make an enquiry
Got questions? Write to us.