INFINZ Awards 2026


Celebrating Excellence in New Zealand’s Financial Sector

The INFINZ Awards are the premier recognition of innovation, leadership, and excellence across New Zealand’s financial and capital markets ecosystem. Hosted annually by the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc. (INFINZ), these prestigious awards honour outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations who are shaping the future of finance in Aotearoa New Zealand.

With over 750 industry leaders gathering at the Gala Dinner, the INFINZ Awards are a highlight of the financial calendar—showcasing best practice, celebrating success, and fostering a vibrant, connected professional community. From corporate finance and investment banking to sustainability and market research, the awards span a wide range of categories that reflect the dynamic nature of the sector.

Join us in recognising the people and teams driving progress and excellence in New Zealand’s financial landscape.

GALA DINNER & TICKETS

The 2026 INFINZ Awards Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday 14th May at Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Quay Street, Auckland.

Shed 10 has limited space available for the 2026 Awards, therefore Dinner tickets are limited.
Until 14 February 2026 only INFINZ sponsors, INFINZ members and INFINZ Awards submitters will be able to make table or seat bookings.  To enquire about your eligibility, please contact Iona Gibbs by email admin@infinz.com.


TIMELINE

THE BENEFITS OF ENTERING

PRESTIGE & RECOGNITION

  • Industry Recognition: gain prestigious acknowledgement for excellence and innovation in finance
  • Credibility and Trust: Being a finalist or winner signals high standards and achievement, building trust with clients, stakeholders and peers

WINNERS RECOGNISED MEDIA & VISIBILITY

  • NZ Herald Supplement: 4-page feature profiling the winners
  • INFINZ Coverage: Extensive exposure across INFINZ newsletters, emailers, website, and social channels
  • LinkedIn Amplification: Shared by INFINZ and industry partners for broader reach

FINALISTS RECOGNISED MEDIA & VISIBILITY

  • NZ Herald Announcement: Finalists featured in a dedicated advertisement
  • Gala Dinner Profile: Finalists highlighted in the official programme and AV presentation
  • Digital Exposure: Finalists announcements shared via LinkedIn and INFINZ Email Campaigns.

TALENT & CULTURE

  • Attract and Retain Talent:  Recognition boosts internal morale and showcases a culture of excellence, helping attract top talent.

CATEGORIES

HUNTER CAMPBELL

EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR

This Award, determined by an expert judging panel, acknowledges an INFINZ member under 40 years of age with at least five years' work experience. This award recognises individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership through their values and actions, demonstrating a clear vision and integrity in their role.

Nominations for this award close 9 December.  Submissions are then due by 11 February.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners

Sponsored By:
FOUNDATION NORTH

TE TOHU KAHUKURA MĀORI LEADERSHIP IN FINANCE

Kahukura comes from a Māori whakatauki – “Ma te kahukura, ka rere te manu”

Criteria: This saying means “adorn the bird with feathers, so that it may fly”, the kahukura are the feathers. It is used to describe those who have achieved great things (the feathers are the great things). And because of that, they are flying.  This Award, determined by an expert judging panel, acknowledges an individual Māori  finance professional who has contributed to the successful economic development of Māori  and the wider community.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored By:


KPMG

CORPORATE ESG AWARD

The Corporate ESG Award is determined by an expert judging panel. This award seeks to recognise and acknowledge an organisation from within the INFINZ ecosystem which has proactively cultivated a focus on encouraging and nurturing diversity, mental health and working conditions of staff and suppliers and sustainability within their own organisations and amongst the wider ecosystem.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:




RESEARCH REPORT OF THE YEAR

This Award, determined by an expert judging panel, seeks to recognise and acknowledge excellence in analytical research that adds insight into New Zealand’s financial and capital markets.

This award will be announced and presented at a separate lunch in the weeks after the Gala Dinner, in partnership with the CFA Society.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech


PUBLIC TRUST

DIVERSIFIED GROWTH FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR

The Finalists are determined through an initial quantitative analysis of past performance undertaken by Melville Jessup Weaver (MJW) and then the shortlisted managers were interviewed by an expert panel joining MJW, with an assessment based on qualitative criteria.

Submissions for this award close 31 January.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:
PwC NEW ZEALAND

NZ EQUITY MARKET TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR

This is awarded to both the client and adviser for the best equity market transaction of the year as nominated by the industry and determined by an expert judging panel. The judging criteria includes the extent to which the transaction meets the needs of both the client and investors and the extent to which it develops the capital markets.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:

MINTERELLISONRUDDWATTS

M&A TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR

Awarded to the corporate and adviser to the best merger, acquisition or divestment transaction as nominated by the industry and determined by an expert judging panel. Eligible transactions are those relating to NZ headquartered corporates, or New Zealand assets or businesses. Judging criteria includes the success of the transaction in meeting the strategic and financial goals established by the corporate concerned.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:
BDO

MID-MARKET M&A TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR

Either the target or acquiror must have a capitalisation of less than $250m and recognises both the Transacting Entity and Lead Financial Adviser concerned.  The criteria used by the expert judging panel includes the success of the transaction in meeting the strategic and financial goals established by the corporate concerned, the complexity of the transaction and challenges overcome.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:
FITCH RATINGS

INNOVATION IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

This Award is determined by an expert judging panel. It seeks to recognise and acknowledge an organisation from within the INFINZ ecosystem which has introduced new or enhanced services that have created value for customers and the wider economy such as a positive customer, market, economic and/or societal outcomes. 

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:
COMPUTERSHARE

NZ DEBT MARKET ISSUE OF THE YEAR

This award goes to the bank/adviser and issuer of the best New Zealand debt issue of the year as nominated by the industry and is determined by an expert judging panel. The judging criteria includes the extent to which the issue meets the needs of both the issuer and investors and the extent to which it develops the capital markets.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:

CHAPMAN TRIPP

DEBT DEAL OF THE YEAR

This is awarded to both the client and the banking arranger/underwriters concerned and recognises all debt transactions over $100m other than those bond deals which are covered by the NZ Debt Market Issue Award. An expert judging panel determines this award using criteria including the degree to which the client’s objectives were met, the complexity of the deal, innovation and the importance of the transaction to the wider economy and society.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:
TAX MANAGEMENT NEW ZEALAND

MID-MARKET DEBT TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR

This award has been established to recognise all debt transactions (between $10m and $100m) other than bond issues. An expert judging panel determines this award using criteria which includes the degree to which the client’s objectives were met, the complexity of the deal, innovation and the importance of the transaction to the wider economy and its impact on society more broadly.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:

NZX

EMERGING LEADER BEST INVESTOR RELATIONS*

This award is determined by voting amongst the equity analysts within the full-service sharebroking firms and those larger NZ based fund managers who are active investors in New Zealand equities. The winning entity must be within the S&P/NZX50 as at 31 December 2025 and headquartered in New Zealand.

This is a new award in 2026.

Criteria & Submission Form

Sponsored by:
MUFG PENSION & MARKET SERVICES

LARGE-CAP BEST INVESTOR RELATIONS

This award is determined by voting amongst the equity analysts within the full-service sharebroking firms and those larger NZ based fund managers who are active investors in New Zealand equities. The winning entity must be within the S&P/NZX50 as at 31 December 2025 and headquartered in New Zealand.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners

Sponsored by:

JOHNSON PARTNERS

LEADERSHIP AWARD 

This award, assessed by an expert judging panel, focuses not only on key financial performance metrics, but also on the critical elements that deliver sustained performance over time. These include qualities of leadership, building company culture, plus strong engagement with employees, customers and the community. The winner must have demonstrated sustainable and impactful leadership over at least the preceding five years.

Criteria & Submission Form Past Winners 2025 Winner's Acceptance Speech

Sponsored by:

FELLOWSHIPS

INFINZ Fellowships nominations are now open 

INFINZ Fellowships are also awarded at the INFINZ Awards Dinner. They recognise those INFINZ members who have made a significant and valuable contribution to the industry. 
Nominations for either Fellowships or Distinguished Fellowships to be awarded are invited from Certified Members of INFINZ. Click here for the Nomination Form – send the completed form to Iona Gibbs on admin@infinz.com by 31 January 2026. 

Criteria & Submission Form Previously awarded Fellowships


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