Katikati and Waihi Beach
Excellence Awards 2026
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.
Community Rallies Behind 2026 Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards
The Katikati and Waihī Beach community has once again demonstrated its pride in local businesses and organisations, with an outstanding 121 nominations received across 11 categories for the 2026 Katikati & Waihī Beach Excellence Awards.
"Nominating someone isn't something people do lightly. It requires thought, reflection and genuine appreciation,
and we'd like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to celebrate local excellence."
With nominations now closed, attention turns to the judging process.
Friday, 1 August, tickets for the awards evening will go on sale.
CULTURAL AMBASSADOR of the year.
Thank you to the Talisman Hotel and Restaurant for your support.
We are excited to announce the nominations for Cultural Ambassador are: Hinga Smith, Reon Tuanau, Valarie Uilou, Vicki Lambert, Paula Gaelic and her team. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
EMPLOYEE of the year.
Thank you to Dynamic Media for your support.
Those great people nominated are: Brodie Davis – Project Parore, Cindy – Eastpack Katikati, Jacqui Knight – Katch Katikati, Jan de Faye – Katikati Community Centre, Johanna Davidson – Harry & Her, Mahesl Peters – Talisman Restaurant. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
EVENT of the year.
Thank you to Elliots Funeral Services for your support.
Congratulations to those special events nominated: ECHO Walking Festival, Hume Pack-N-Cool Fun Walk & Run, Katikati A&P Show 2026, Katikati Avo Fest, Waihi Beach Summer Fair, Kids Hunting and Fishing Competition, Polar Plunge, Te Ra o Waitangi Whanau Festival, TedX Waihi Beach, Waihi Beach Bowentown Boating & Fishing Club Junior Fishing Competition, Waihi Beach Christmas in the Village, Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Waihi Beach Blast. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE AWARD.
Thank you Athenree Hot Springs for your support.
Congratulations to all those amazing establishments nominated: Sys Bakehouse, The Deck Bar & Kitchen, Beach Road Deli, Common Ground Café, Debrief Café, Robert Harris Café, Lucca Italian Restaurant, Mr Kebab Katikati, Waihi Beach RSA. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
LOCAL HERO AWARD.
Thank you Waihi Beach Vets for your support.
Wow, a big shout out to all these nominations, this is why our communitites are so special: Andrew Cochrane, Cindy Clare, Hātte Joe Manakau, Helen Meiklejohn, Hollie Jones, Laura Young, Leslie Ruff, Linda Delgleish, Lorraine Morten, Louellen Davies, Margaret at Waihi Town Cats, Margo Millen, Merve Harris, Michael Mead, Pip Coombes, Robin Douglas, Roger Donald, Ross Collins, Roy and Shirley, Sandy Goode, Sheryl Smith, Shirley & Roy Pool, Zadin Young. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
ORGANISATION of the Year.
Thank you to Camille Betham & Associates for your support.
Congratulations to these organisations that make such a difference to our communities: Abbeyfield Western Bay of Plenty Inc, Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, GrowOn Katikati, Katch Katikati, Kaitkati Playcentre, Katikati Community Centre, Katikati Folk Club, Katikati Toy Library, Renaturing Katikati, Waih Beach Events and Promotions, Waihi Beach Lifeguard Services Inc. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
SMALL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE.
Thank you to Kaimai Law Katikati for your support.
A special thank you to all these small businessses who put their heart and sole into bringing us amazing service, nominations are: Beach Road Deli, Anna Menendez Photography, Common Ground Café, Dreamers Beauty Clinic, Hairwaves , Hometech Help, Hollie Proctor Marketing and Design, The Groomers Shop, Katifit Gym, Barklane Grooming Studio, La Cibo Italian Restaurant, Lizard News, Mel Wert MINDFIT, Prancing Rose Coffee, Pest Pro NZ Limited, Out of the Wild Pet Food, Tina Taylor Hair, Tiny House Mastery, Fotheringhame Contractors, Cut Above Kati Kati, Victoria Lemon Transofrm Today, Robins Nest. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD.
Thank you to Harwood Builders for your support.
A couple of outstanding people for their passion to sport, congratulations to Jen MacCready and Michael Williams. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
TOURISM PROVIDER of the year.
Thank you to Craigs Investment Partners for your support.
Congratulations to these bueinesses for your amazing mahi, nominations are: Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park, The Arts Junction, The Sauna Porject - Waihī Beach, The Western Bay Museum, Waihi Beach Information Centre. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
TRADESPERSON of the year.
Thank you to Owens Flooring for your support.
To our special tradies, we would be lost without you, nominations are: Austin - AK Builders, Brian Pennell Plumbing, Dale Booysen - Positive Electrical, Desmond Proctor - The Handyman Can, Eddied - Meares Earth Works, Jimmy Harwood Builders, Kel Garrett Plumbing, Konrad Williams - K Williams Electrical, Leila Brewerton – Plumber & Gass Fitter, Rob Austin – Austin Builders. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.
RETAIL EXCELLENCE.
Thank you to Underscore 19 Design Studio for your support.
Its been tough out there in retail, so a special congratulations to the following nominations: Beach Road Garden Centre, Henrys Rod Shop, Katikati Meatmasters, Katikati Four Square, Katikati Hospice Shop, Out of the Wild Petfood, Waihi Beach Community Shop. Congratulations to all those nominated, judging is underway and if you are a finalist we will be in contact with you. If you know one of our nominated, please be sure to congratulate them.