Awards FAQs

Eligibility and entering

Q: Who can enter?

A: Entries must include at least one NZILA member (Life, Registered, or Graduate) who has contributed to the project.

• The member must be financially current
• Affiliate members and Honorary Fellows do not meet this requirement
• Student entries are eligible under the Student category

Projects should be located in Aotearoa. In some cases, projects in the Pacific may be eligible where there is no local governing body.

Q: Is there a fee to enter?

A: Each eligible company receives one complimentary entry.

Additional entries:

• Design and Planning categories: $484 incl GST
• Student category: $126 incl GST
• Enduring Landscape: no fee

An invoice will be issued after entries close if applicable.

Q: What do I need to submit?

A: Each entry includes:

• An online entry form
• One PDF submission (max 10 pages, A3)
• 1–8 supporting images

Your PDF is the primary document used for judging and should clearly communicate your project on its own.

Q: Where do I start?

A: Start here:

• Choose the category that best fits your project
• Read through the criteria
• Begin pulling your material together

You don’t need everything perfect to begin. Just start.

👉 See the How to complete your awards entry guide for a full walkthrough.

Q: What are the categories and criteria?

A: All categories, criteria, and submission requirements are outlined in the Call for Entries.

👉 View the Call for Entries.

Q: Can I enter more than one category?

A: Yes. You can submit multiple entries across categories.

Each entry must be submitted separately.

If the judges consider a project better suited to another category, NZILA will be in touch to discuss.

Q: My project is complete but still going through a Resource Management (RM) process. Can I enter?

A: No.

Projects must have completed the full statutory or approval process relevant to the work before they are entered.

For RM-related work, this means:

• the proposal has been fully considered
• the formal decision-making process is complete

If a project is still subject to an unresolved decision, appeal, or outcome, it should not be entered in this Awards cycle.

This is to ensure fairness, consistency, and confidence in the integrity of the Awards programme.

Q: Do I need client approval to enter?

A: Yes.

You must have confirmation from the client or project owner that the project can be submitted.

You must also clearly acknowledge all contributors.

Preparing your entry

Q: What makes a strong entry?

A: Strong entries are clear, specific, and grounded in real outcomes. Strong entries make it easy for judges to understand the project without needing to refer to external material.

Judges are looking for:

• a clear story of the project
• evidence of outcomes and impact
• alignment with the criteria
• honest reflection, not just the polished version

Clarity goes a long way.

Q: How much detail should I include in my PDF?

A: Enough for someone unfamiliar with the project to clearly understand:

• what the project is
• what you did
• what was achieved

Judges may not have prior knowledge of your work, so your PDF should communicate the full story clearly and concisely.

Q: Can I include links in my submission?

A: Yes, but your entry must stand on its own.

Judges assess your project based on the submitted material, including your PDF and entry form. This means all key information, outcomes, and evidence should be clearly presented within your submission.

You can include links to supporting material, such as:

• project websites
• larger reports or strategies
• additional documentation

However:

• links are not guaranteed to be reviewed as part of judging
• they should support your submission, not replace core content

If something is important to understanding your project, make sure it is included clearly in your PDF.

Q: What if my submission doesn’t meet the requirements?

A: If something doesn’t meet the entry requirements, for example formatting, missing information, or file issues, your submission may be returned.

You’ll have a short window, up to 7 days, to correct and resubmit.

Q: When do entries close?

A: Entries close 20 May 2026, 4.00pm NZT.

No late submissions will be accepted.

Enduring Landscape Award

Q: What is the Enduring Landscape Award?

A: This category recognises landscapes that have stood the test of time.

To be eligible, the landscape should:

• be at least 20 years old
• remain in active use
• demonstrate long-term value and relevance

The award recognises the landscape itself, with contributors acknowledged where appropriate.

Q: Who can nominate a project for the Enduring Landscape Award?

A: Nominations must come from someone outside the original project team.

This is a peer-nominated category.

A separate nomination form is used.

Judging process

Q: Who are the judges?

A: The judging panel is made up of practitioners with a mix of experience, backgrounds, and expertise.

You can view the full panel on the Awards website.

Q: How are entries judged?

A: Entries are assessed against:

• the Awards criteria
• sustainability outcomes
• tangata whenua collaboration
• category-specific requirements

The process includes:

• independent review
• shortlisting
• site visits (where applicable)
• final panel discussion and decisions

Q: Do all entries have site visits?

A: No.

• Design categories may include site visits for shortlisted projects
• Planning and research-based categories are assessed on submitted material only

Q: Can a category have no winner?

A: Yes.

Awards are made on merit. If no entry meets the required standard, a category may not have a winner.

Q: Will I get feedback on my entry?

A: Formal feedback is not provided as part of the Awards process.

After you submit

Q: What happens after I enter?

A: After submission:

• entries are checked for compliance, including formatting, completeness, and required information
• entries that don’t meet requirements may be returned for correction
• judges review entries independently
• a shortlist is confirmed
• site visits are undertaken where relevant
• final decisions are made by the full panel

Finalists are notified ahead of the Awards.

Awards and sponsorship

Q: Is there an awards event?

A: Yes.

The Awards Gala will take place on 5 November 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, alongside the NZILA Wānanga.

Q: Who is the sponsor of the Awards?

A: The naming rights sponsor for the Awards programme is Resene.

We’re grateful for their ongoing support.

Q: Can I sponsor?

A: If you’re interested in supporting the Awards programme, get in touch at events@nzila.co.nz.