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NZPSHA is delighted to launch an all-new programme celebrating outstanding achievements across our membership.
The winners will be recognised at a Gala Award Dinner held in conjunction with the Annual Conference in September 2026.
We are looking to recognise:
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Innovation & Creativity
Unique approaches to care or business operations
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Impact & Outcomes
Demonstrated improvements in patient experience, safety, or efficiency.
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Leadership
Visionary guidance and sector influence
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Scalability
Potential for broader application across the sector
A guide for each Award has been prepared, outlining what the Judges will be looking for and how they will score the entries.
There are eight Awards (plus a People’s Choice Award to be decided on the Awards Night). Three Awards recognise outstanding individuals; five Awards recognise business excellence.
1. Emerging Leader
For a professional (clinical or non-clinical) early in their career showing exceptional promise, initiative and influence.
Criteria:
Judges will assess initiative, influence, achievements to date, and potential for future impact.
2. Healthcare Champion
Honours an individual who is a respected leader, collaborator and advocate for continuous improvement and sector-wide excellence.
Criteria:
Judges will look for sustained influence over a decade or more and respected standing among peers.
3. Lifetime Achievement Award
Honours an individual with a significant and sustained contribution to health services in New Zealand.
Criteria:
Judges will assess the breadth and depth of the nominee’s legacy, including leadership roles, innovations introduced, mentorship, and sector-wide influence.
1. Innovation
For the introduction of a significant innovation improving outcomes, efficiency or patient experience.
Criteria:
Judges will assess the originality, impact, scalability, and team involvement in the innovation, supported by clear outcomes.
2. Sustainability
For achieving measurable improvements in environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Criteria:
Judges will look for evidence of reduced environmental impact, economic benefit, adoption of sustainable practices, staff and community engagement, and transparent reporting.
3. Employer of Choice
For excellence in staff engagement, training, wellbeing and professional development that supports a high performing workplace.
Criteria:
Judges will consider workforce strategy and policies, innovations, staff feedback, diversity and inclusion efforts, retention metrics, and leadership support.
4. Patient Experience
For excellence in understanding and improving the patient journey and outcomes.
Criteria:
Entries should show how patient feedback has informed improvements, along with data or narratives showing meaningful changes and improved satisfaction.
5. Safety Culture
For leadership and measurable success in promoting and maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff.
Criteria:
Judges will look for entries that show leadership in safety culture, risk reduction initiatives, staff engagement, and improved safety metrics.
A vote by attendees at the Gala Awards Dinner, via Slido.
All Category Winners will be eligible for this Award.
For two of the Individual Awards (Emerging Leader and Healthcare Champion) the nominated entry must be employed by a NZPSHA member at the time of the Award announcements (September 2026). If they leave employment after being nominated earlier in the year, their entry will be withdrawn. They can self-nominate or be nominated by others.
For the Lifetime Achievement Award, individuals cannot nominate themselves, but anyone who was working for a NZPSHA member in 2025 or 2026 can be nominated.
For the Business Awards, anyone working for a NZPSHA member can submit an entry. Multiple categories can be entered. For example, a major environmental initiative might be entered in both the Innovation Award and the Sustainability Award categories (but would be judged on different criteria for each award). The primary initiative being entered must have commenced in the past three years – that is, since January 2023.
Judging
Our well-qualified judges will initially judge the entries independently and then come together to agree on finalists and an Award winner. If a Judge has a business connection with an entry, their conflict will be noted, and the views of the other judges will prevail.
Entry Form
This entry form must be completed, but supporting information can also be provided.
Timeline
April 2026
Award entries open
June 2026
Award entries closed
July 2026
Finalists announced
24 September 2026
Winners announced
