The Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards Nominations are Open Now!

Good morning Waihī Beach,

I need a favour from you please. I'd like you to think about the people who make this place what it is. The small business you keep going back to. The volunteer who quietly work behind the scenes. The tradie who is always at the end of the phone when you need them.

Chances are, they've never been formally recognised for it. That is where the Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards brought to you by Barfoot & Thompson come in.

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW

NOMINATE SOMEONE WHO DESERVES IT:

Waihī Beach punches well above its weight. We have businesses, people, and organisations doing genuinely outstanding things in our small coastal community, and it's about time they heard it said out loud.

This year's awards cover eleven categories, so chances are there's someone in your world who fits:

• Employee of the Year - Sponsored by Dynamic Media​

• Cultural Ambassador of the Year - Sponsored by The Talisman Hotel & Restaurant​

• Tradesperson of the Year - Sponsored by Owens Flooring​

• Sportsmanship Award - Sponsored by Harwood Builders​

• Local Hero Award - Sponsored by Beach Vets​

• Retail Excellence Award - Sponsored by Underscore 19 Design Studio​

• Hospitality Excellence Award - Sponsored by Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park​

• Tourism Provider of the Year - Sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners​

• Small Business Excellence Award - Sponsored by Kaimai Law​

• Organisation of the Year - Sponsored by Camille Betham & Associates​

• Event of the Year - Sponsored by Elliotts Funeral Services​

Nominations are free, open to everyone, and take just a few minutes. You can nominate a business, a person, an organisation, or even yourself. And if someone deserves recognition across more than one category, you can put them forward for all of them.

👉 Nominate now at waihibeach.co.nz/awards​

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW

INDEPENDENT JUDGING:

This year, an independent panel made up of representatives from both Katch Katikati and Waihī Beach Events & Promotions will assess all nominations. No sponsor influence, no popular vote. Just genuine recognition, based on merit. Every nomination will be given the consideration it deserves.

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW

THE EVENING ITSELF:

The awards are held on Thursday, 3rd September 2026, from 5.30pm at Fairview Golf & Country Club, Katikati.

We'll have cocktails on arrival courtesy of Wilderkin Spirits, grazing tables, a photobooth, and three local guest speakers sharing stories from across our community.

And joining us for a live, one-hour Q&A is Nadia Lim! MasterChef New Zealand winner, qualified dietitian, co-founder of My Food Bag, and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. It's a genuinely exciting name to have in our corner of the country, and we think you'll love it!

Tickets go on sale Saturday, 1st August at waihibeach.co.nz. Spaces are limited and open to anyone.

AT A GLANCE:

Thursday, 3 September 2026 | From 5.30pm

Fairview Golf & Country Club, Katikati

Nominations open now - free to enter

Tickets on sale from 1 August 2026

Keynote: Nadia Lim live Q&A

Before you close this email, is there someone who deserves a nomination? It takes just a few minutes, it costs nothing, and it might just make their year.

👉 waihibeach.co.nz/awards​

NOMINATIONS OPEN NOW

The Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards are delivered in partnership by Waihī Beach Events & Promotions and Katch Katikati, brought to you by Barfoot & Thompson, and proudly supported by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Craigs Investment Partners and Rotary Katikati.