CPPA_Logo_whitetext

Celebrating

the people

behind the projects

Thursday 22 October 2026 | Wintec, Hamilton

Principal Partner
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ

What a night in Kirikiriroa!

Thank you for celebrating Central's biggest night in property with us.

On Thursday 22 October, more than 300 members of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty property community came together at Wintec in Hamilton to celebrate the talent, passion and leadership driving our region forward.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists. Your achievements show the very best of our industry, and you should be incredibly proud. 

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on the night, and to our sponsors, judges and partners who helped make it happen. It was a fantastic evening of celebration and connection, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.

SEE THE WINNERS
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

About the
Awards

Since 2010, the Central Property People Awards have been shining a spotlight on the talent, passion, and dedication that drive our region’s property industry forward. More than just bricks and mortar, property is about people — and these awards are our way of honouring those who make it all happen.

Proudly presented by Property Council New Zealand, the Central Property People Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across the entire property spectrum. From developers and consultants to project managers and planners, we welcome nominations from all corners of the industry — member or not.

Thank you for helping us recognise those who've made a lasting impact on the Central region's built environment.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

Check out the 2026 photo gallery!

VIEW THE GALLERY

Key Dates 2026

Registration | Now closed

Nominations Closed | Friday 14 August 

Central Property People Awards | 5:45 pm, Thursday 22 October

2026 Award
Winners

Colliers Project Leaders Supreme Excellence Award & Chow:Hill Outstanding Leadership Award

Leonard Gardner
Fosters

CKL Property Professional of the Year Award

Robert Dol
Waikato Regional Airport

Beca Women in Property Award

Renee Smith-Apanui
ÅŒRUA

Boffa Miskell Sustainability Champion Award

Hamilton Airport Team for the Titanium Park Nature-Positive Development & Biodiversity Programme
Waikato Regional Airport

Veros Best Team Award

He Puna Manawa Library and Community Hub team
Tauranga City Council, Willis Bond, Studio Pacific Architects, Dunning Thornton Consultants, Beca, Rider Levett Bucknall, NDY, LT McGuinness

Rider Levett Bucknall Young Achiever of the Year Award

Jake McDell
Fosters

Fosters City Shaper Award

Ross Hargood
Waikato Regional Property Trust

Hawkins Long Service Award – Waikato

Brian Squair

Hawkins Long Service Award – Bay of Plenty

Andrew Collins
Harrison Grierson

Harkness Henry Judges’ Choice Award

Scott Ratuki
Tompkins Wake

CPPA26_Supreme_Leonard_Gardner
CPPA26_LongServiceBOP_Andrew_Collins
CPPA26_WIP_Renee_Smith-Apanui
CPPA26_City-Shaper_Ross_Hargood
CPPA26_BestTeam_Library_2
CPPA26_LongServiceWAI_Brian_Squair
CPPA26_Leadership_Leonard_Gardner
CPPA26_Judges'Choice_Scott_Ratuki
CPPA26_Young_Achiever_Jake_McDell
CPPA26_Sustainability_Hamilton_Airport_Full
CPPA26_PropProf_Robert_Dol
ABOUT THE WINNERS
READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

Check out the event highlights!

VIEW THE GALLERY
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ
Property Council Central Property People Awards, the Atrium, Hamilton, Thursday 22 October 2026. Photo: Stephen Barker / Barker Photography. ©Property Council of NZ

Photos courtesy of Barker Photography.

Awards Categories

Rider Levett Bucknall
Young Achiever of the Year
Emerging talent. Proven impact. Bright future.

This award celebrates an exceptional young professional who is making waves in the property industry. Aged 35 or under, this individual demonstrates remarkable skill, commitment, and leadership potential — standing out as one to watch. The Young Achiever of the Year Award recognises an individual who has:

🚀Shown consistent passion and dedication to their profession and the wider property industry.
🚀Made a meaningful contribution to their organisation, local industry, or community.
🚀Demonstrated leadership qualities — whether through initiative, collaboration, or influence among peers.
🚀Achieved standout results or milestones that set them apart in their field.

Nominees may come from any discipline within the property sector, including (but not limited to) development, engineering, quantity surveying, infrastructure, architecture and design, property law, real estate, accounting, or property management. This award honours the next generation of industry leaders — young professionals who are not only achieving today but are helping shape the future of property in Aotearoa.
CKL Property Professional
of the Year Award
Dedication. Excellence. Industry contribution.

This award celebrates an outstanding individual who demonstrates a high level of professionalism, expertise, and commitment to the property industry. Through their consistent performance and passion for their work, they make a meaningful impact within their organisation and across the wider sector.

The Property Professional of the Year Award recognises an individual who has:
🚀Consistently shown dedication to their role and to the advancement of the property industry.
🚀Contributed positively to their organisation, team, or projects through knowledge, skill, and collaboration.
🚀Supported and facilitated opportunities for peers by sharing expertise, fostering relationships, or encouraging innovation.
🚀Acted as a proud ambassador for their organisation and the property industry.

Nominations are welcome from all areas of the property sector — including development, consultancy, asset management, property ownership, local government, planning, and more.

This award honours those who lead by example through the quality of their work, their passion for the industry, and the positive influence they have on those around them.
Beca
Women in Property Award
Inspiring leadership. Meaningful impact. Lasting legacy.

This award celebrates an exceptional woman who is making her mark on the property industry through leadership, innovation, and influence. Whether on the ground or in the boardroom, she is helping to shape a more inclusive, dynamic, and successful future for the sector.

The Women in Property Award recognises an individual who has:
🚀 Demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, growth, and dedication to the property industry.
🚀 Acted as a role model and inspiration to colleagues, peers, and future leaders.
🚀 Shown leadership and influence within her organisation and/or the wider industry.
🚀 Contributed to a more equitable and inclusive property sector through her actions, advocacy, or example.

Nominations are welcome from all areas of the property industry and across all career stages — the focus is on real impact, leadership, and contribution to the profession.
Fosters
City Shaper Award
Great cities are shaped by the people who care deeply about their future.

This award celebrates an individual or team whose vision, leadership, and collaborative efforts have significantly influenced the transformation of urban environments. Whether through planning, design, policy, or delivery, their work creates more inclusive, vibrant, and resilient communities. This is an award for the changemakers - the people shaping our cities for the better.

The City Shaper Award recognises those who:
🚀 Drive meaningful change in urban environments, delivering lasting benefits for people and communities.
🚀 Demonstrate excellence in urban development, planning, or placemaking through strategic thinking, inclusive engagement, and innovative approaches — regardless of whether a project is built or unbuilt.
🚀 Champion collaboration and cultural responsiveness, embedding these values into the heart of their work.
🚀 Contribute to the evolution and advancement of city-making practice across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Veros
Best Team Award
Behind every great outcome is a great team.

This award celebrates a high-performing team that exemplifies excellence in collaboration, innovation, and delivery. Through their outstanding work, this team has gone above and beyond to overcome challenges, deliver results, and create positive impact and value - not just within their organisation or project, but across the wider property industry.

The Best Team Award recognises a team that has:
🚀 Demonstrated exceptional collaboration, adaptability, and leadership in pursuit of shared goals.
🚀 Delivered meaningful outcomes — whether built or unbuilt, strategic, service-based, or project-related — that benefit the property industry.
🚀 Shown excellence in process, innovation, and impact, regardless of the size or scope of the work.
🚀 Positively influenced the industry through their example, contribution, or thought leadership.

Eligible entries may include internal teams, cross-organisational collaborations, or multi-disciplinary project teams. Completed projects are welcome, but are not a requirement - the focus is on the people, their approach, and the outcomes achieved.

Eligibility timeframe: Major milestones or outcomes must have occurred between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
Boffa Miskell
Sustainability Champion Award
Sustainability leadership starts with people.

This award recognises an individual or team who is driving meaningful change through a deep commitment to environmental sustainability within the property industry.

Through strong leadership and practical implementation, the recipient of this award has championed sustainability initiatives that go beyond compliance — influencing behaviours, shifting mindsets, and inspiring broader industry action.

This award celebrates those who:
🚀 Demonstrate visionary leadership in embedding sustainability into property practices, policy, or culture.
🚀 Deliver measurable impact through innovative, practical, and scalable sustainability initiatives.
🚀 Promote and influence sustainability beyond their own organisation — inspiring positive change across the property sector and within the wider community.
🚀 Foster a collaborative approach to creating a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally responsible built environment.

Initiatives may be strategic, operational, or cultural — and may be ongoing or milestone-based. The emphasis is on people-led change and long-term influence.
Chow:Hill Architects
Outstanding Leadership Award
Great leaders don’t just lead — they elevate others.

This award celebrates an individual whose leadership has made a powerful and lasting impact on their organisation, project, or the wider property industry. Through vision, integrity, and action, they have driven progress, inspired those around them, and helped shape the future of the sector.

The Outstanding Leadership Award recognises an individual who has:
🚀 Demonstrated exceptional leadership through strategic thinking, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and support others.
🚀 Made a significant contribution to their organisation, project, or region — delivering results that extend beyond their immediate role.
🚀 Led with purpose, collaboration, and authenticity, creating a positive influence across their team, peers, and the wider industry.
🚀 Shown courage and innovation in navigating challenges, driving change, and championing progress within the property sector.

Nominees may come from any discipline — public or private sector — within or associated with the property industry. The emphasis is on leadership in action and the legacy it creates.
Hawkins
Long Service Award
This award is not open for nomination.

This award is awarded to an individual who has been in the property industry for 20+ years and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the industry.

Their contribution to their organisation and/or the property industry and as a result, the local economy, has enhanced the creditability and reputation of the industry to the benefit of their peers.

The recipient will be selected by the Regional Committee and will be presented the award at the awards evening.
Harkness Henry
Judges' Choice Award
This award is not open for nomination.

This award is presented to a deserving nominee mentioned in the other categories, who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the local property industry.

This award will be selected by the judging panel and will be presented to either a team or an individual at the awards evening.
Colliers Project Leaders
Supreme Excellence Award
This award is not open for nomination.

This award is presented to a winner in a previous category, who is deemed by the judging panel to be the standout recipient above all other nominees for the Awards.

Past Award
Winners

2025 WINNERS
2024 WINNERS
2023 WINNERS
2022 WINNERS

Judging
Panel

The Central Property People Awards are honoured to have an esteemed panel of judges at the helm:

Lale Ieremia // Director, PCM Consulting Ltd
Kate Hatwell // Partner, Tompkins Wake
Jane Hill // Director, Chow:Hill
Rachel Emerson // Industrial / Commercial Sales & Leasing, Colliers
Morgan Jones // Managing Director, Veros
Jonathan Albery // Project Director – Waikato Regional Director, Colliers Project Leaders
Simon Collett // General Counsel, PMG Funds

Awards Partners

PRINCIPAL PARTNER

CATEGORY SPONSORS

RLB_Logo_Space.jpg

AFTER LOUNGE SPONSOR

If you are interested in partnering with the Central Property People Awards, please contact Sarah Rundstrom.

Regional Contacts

Tasch Dodson

Auckland Regional Manager

022 088 2724
tasch@propertynz.co.nz

Sarah Rundstrom

Central Regional Manager

021 951 150
sarah@propertynz.co.nz

Nikki Livesey

Wellington Regional Manager

027 533 6083
nikki@propertynz.co.nz

Danielle Brayne

South Island Regional Manager

022 629 2820
danielle@propertynz.co.nz