Katikati and Waihi Beach
Excellence Awards 2026
KATIKATI AND WAIHI BEACH EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2026
Brought to you by Barfoot and Thompson
Thursday, 3rd September 2026 | 5.30pm | Fairview Golf & Country Club, Katikati
The Katikati and Waihī Beach Business Awards 2026 celebrate the innovation, resilience, and community spirit that define our local business landscape. Showcasing excellence across a diverse range of industries, these awards recognise the people and enterprises who go above and beyond to contribute to the vibrancy and success of our region. From long-standing family businesses to emerging entrepreneurs, the awards highlight outstanding achievements, inspire growth, and strengthen connections within our thriving coastal communities.
Across Waihī Beach and Katikati, there are people doing remarkable things every day. Businesses run with heart. Volunteers who quietly make the place better. Tradies who turn up when you need them. Organisations, sports people, and cultural champions who go well beyond what’s expected.
The Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards exist to make sure they’re recognised for it, and this year we’d love your help to shine a light on them.
NOMINATE SOMEONE WHO DESERVES IT
A business that’s gone above and beyond. A local hero who quietly gets on with it. A tradie who’s always there when you need them. Whoever comes to mind, put their name forward.
Nominations are open now, and they’re open to everyone. You can nominate a person, a business, an organisation, or yourself. It’s free, it takes just a few minutes, and it might mean the world to someone who wouldn’t think to put themselves up.
THE ELEVEN CATEGORIES
Have a think about who fits where, or nominate the same person across more than one category if they truly deserve it. Click on the category name above to nominate.
A MEANINGFUL CHANGE : INDEPENDENT JUDGING
This year, every nomination will be considered by an independent judging panel made up of two committee members from Katch Katikati and two from Waihī Beach Events & Promotions. Winners are selected on merit alone, not by sponsors, and not by popular vote, so every nomination gets the careful consideration it deserves
About the evening
A NIGHT WORTH BEING AT
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dress up, this is it. Guests will be welcomed with
cocktails on arrival, courtesy of Wilderkin Spirits, with grazing tables flowing through
the evening and a photobooth to capture the night.
Three local guest speakers will share their stories across community, business, and sport.
These are ordinary-extraordinary people from our own backyard.
And joining us for a live, one-hour Q&A is Nadia Lim, MasterChef New Zealand winner, qualified dietitian and author, co-founder of My Food Bag, and Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. It’s the kind of name you don’t often see in our corner of the country, and it’s set to
be a highlight of the evening.
TICKETS
Tickets go on sale from Saturday 1st August 2026 at waihibeach.co.nz and katchkatikati.org.nz.
Spaces are limited, so mark the date on your calendar.
AT A GLANCE
When: Thursday, 3 September 2026, from 5.30pm
Where: Fairview Golf & Country Club, Katikati
Nominations: Open now – free to enter
Tickets: On sale from 1 August 2026
Keynote: Nadia Lim live Q&A
EVENT CONTACTS
We’d love to hear from you. For anything awards-related, please get in touch:
Jacqui Knight
Promotions Manager,
Katch Katikati
Hollie Jones
Events Coordinator, Waihī Beach Events
& Promotions
PROUDLY BROUGTH TO YOU BY:
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.
