NZDA Awards
It’s time to recognise more amazing contributions and achievements. Be involved in nominating our shining stars with awards that acknowledge their contribution to our community.
Award recipients will have the opportunity to be formally recognised for their achievements by colleagues, industry partners and guests at the Conference Dinner and NZDA Awards evening on Friday 28 August at NZICC in Auckland. The Dinner and NZDA Awards is the premiere social event during the New Zealand Dental Congress, hosted in Auckland 27 – 29 August 2026.
Branches are encouraged to consider nominating a Branch Initiative Project that has had a positive impact in the previous year (Branch Initiative Award), and a member who is an inspirational role model and ambassador for the profession (Colleague of the Year).
Both Branches and NZDA Full Members are encouraged to consider nominating members who have made a significant contribution through volunteer service or who exemplify humanitarian ideals (Service and Public Service Awards).
Key dates
Entries open
Wednesday 11 March 2026
Entries close
Wednesday 17 June 2026
Categories
NZDA Branches are invited to submit applications for the following awards:
NZDA Branch Initiative Award
Awarded to a NZDA Branch that through its effort and initiative has contributed to:
- representing dentists or dentistry
- supporting dentists
- advancing science, advancing people or
- informing, galvanising into action, delivering initiatives and treatment in the community.
NZDA Colleague of the Year
Awarded to an inspirational role model and ambassador for the profession. A person who is supporting and encouraging of other members, involved in some type of mentoring and helps colleague’s educational needs by sharing knowledge or facilitating sharing by others and at Branch level is active in welcoming members and promoting collegiality.
NZDA Full Members and NZDA Branches are invited to submit applications for the following awards:
NZDA Public Service Award
Sponsored by Dental Protection
The award will be given to an NZDA member who exemplifies humanitarian ideals and attributes by:
- contributing significantly to alleviating human suffering and improving the quality of life and oral health of individuals both in NZ and/or abroad
- demonstrating significant leadership and outstanding volunteer accomplishments that bring honour to the profession
- serving as an inspiration to the dental profession, colleagues and those treated.
NZDA Service Award
Sponsored by Dental Protection
The purpose of the Service Award is to recognise members who have made an outstanding contribution and who exemplify outstanding volunteer spirit through excellence in service and commitment to NZDA.
Contact
If you have any questions about the NZDA Awards, eligibility criteria, nomination requirements, or the submission process, please contact us.
Ami Gilchrist | New Zealand Dental Assoc.
t — +64 9 579 8001
e — ami@nzda.org.nz
Terri Lowsley | Conference Innovators
t — +64 3 353 2823
e — terri@conference.nz