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Celebrating the work that drives change and the people behind it

The Worthies are the world’s first awards dedicated to excellence in Public Sector,

Charity, and Not-for-Profit communications. 

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A Long Time in the Making

 

For too long, behaviour change work has gone uncelebrated.

 

The Worthies exist to change that by spotlighting the most effective, impactful, and courageous work delivered by and for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Sector, Charities, and NFPs.


These awards recognise Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Design, Public Relations, and Engagement — spotlighting the most effective, impactful, and courageous work.

Why The Worthies Matter

 

Driving behaviour change is complex, often invisible, and too often unrecognised, The Worthies are here to celebrate the campaigns, content, and creative efforts that move people, shift perceptions, and make a measurable difference in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Who Can Enter

 

Whether you're an in-house team within PSEs/Charities and NFPs who have executed work internally for external audiences, or an external agency partner commissioned by a New Zealand Public Sector Entity (PSE), Charity, or NFP to deliver work for external audiences, these awards honour the creativity, strategy, and commitment that move people and improve lives.

What Are The Categories

CREATIVE AGENCY OF THE YEAR 

BEST USE OF OOH MEDIA

MOST EFFECTIVE
TE AO MĀORI CAMPAIGN OR AD

PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY OF THE YEAR 

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

MOST EFFECTIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION / ENGAGEMENT

CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR

BEST USE OF MUSIC

INNOVATION IN USER EXPERIENCE (UX)

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

BEST USE OF HUMOUR

RISING STAR AWARD - AGENCY

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY CAMPAIGN

BEST TELEVISION AD OF THE YEAR

RISING STAR AWARD – IN HOUSE

BEST PUBLIC SECTOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

BEST RADIO CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

BEST TELEVISION AD EVER

CHARITY / NGO CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

PRINT AD OF THE YEAR

BEST INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN


SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
 

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We will send the category list to this email. We respect your privacy and won't spam you.

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Download the Category and Entry Booklet

Please check your Spam or Junk mail folder if you don't see our mail in your Inbox. Please contact awards@theworthiesawards.com if you still can find our mail.

Entries Close 21 January

Enter now |

Entry Fees

(per entry)

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CATEGORY

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RISING STAR AWARD - IN HOUSE

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RISING STAR AWARD - AGENCY

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CHARITY / NGO CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

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ALL OTHER CATEGORIES

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EARLY BIRD $NZ (ex GST)

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$95

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$95

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$145

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$275

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ENTRY FEE $NZ (ex GST)

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$195

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$195

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$245

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$395

Entry Fees

(per entry)

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CATEGORY

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RISING STAR AWARD - IN HOUSE

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RISING STAR AWARD - AGENCY

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CHARITY / NGO CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

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ALL OTHER CATEGORIES

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EARLY BIRD $NZ (ex GST)

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$95

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$95

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$145

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$275

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ENTRY FEE $NZ (ex GST)

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$195

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$195

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$245

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$395

Some things to note before you start

Eligibility

To be eligible for The Worthies NZ 2025, the ‘work’ (campaign, advert, activity etc) must have been executed in Aotearoa New Zealand during the period 1 January 2024 to 30 November 2025 and commissioned by a Public Sector Entity (PSE) within Aotearoa New Zealand, unless allowed for by a specific award criterion, e.g. Best International Public Sector Advertising Campaign.

 

The ‘work’ created and executed by a PSE ‘In House’ team and/or created and executed by external agency partners, is eligible to enter. The ‘work’ must have been delivered to the target audience during the eligibility period.

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Payment via invoice

Please refer to your organisations procurement policy. The Worthies Limited are happy to invoice organisations for award entry fees, noting that you will need to set up The Worthies Limited as a creditor before providing us with a Purchase Order (PO) number. The Worthies Limited will not accept entries without a PO number. Please email your new creditor set up form to accounts@theworthiesawards.com  or provide a URL to an online portal.

 

Award Entry Deadlines

Final Entry Deadline: Wednesday 21 January 2026

Conference and Awards: Thursday 5 March 2026

 

For questions or comments related to The Worthies NZ Awards, please contact awards@theworthiesawards.com  

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Judging of The Worthies

Entries are judged by the experienced international marketing, communications, public relations, advertising, and creative professionals, working in agencies and the public sector. All judges for The Worthies Awards are based outside of the competition territory, to maintain the probity of the evaluation and judging process.

 

All entries, including creative materials, are evaluated by ten judges. Judges with an actual or a perceived conflict of interest, declare said conflict to The Worthies and do not judge conflicted entries. The purpose of judging is to identify both the nominees for each award category and the silver, and gold winners.

 

The Worthies aim to achieve a fair spread of skills, experience, and backgrounds of the judges for each award. Each entry is reviewed and scores awarded. The judges’ decision is final unless added information becomes known after judging, in which case a ruling may be made by The Worthies Limited, in consultation with judges.

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If you are interested in becoming a judge for our Australia 2026 and other awards competitions, then drop us a line at paul@theworthiesawards.com.

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Tickets

Tickets to the inaugural Worthies Conference & Awards will be limited and released in stages, with priority given to delegates who have pre registered.

 

Remaining tickets will be available at Early Bird rates in advance of general release.

 

Tickets can be purchased online using a credit card or alternatively The Worthies Limited can invoice directly, please refer to your organisations procurement policy. You will need to set up The Worthies Limited as a creditor before providing us with a Purchase Order (PO) number. The Worthies Limited will not accept orders for conference tickets without a PO number. Please email your new creditor set up form to accounts@theworthiesawards.com  or provide a URL to an online portal.

The Worthies cannot guarantee tickets will be available for General Release, should pre-registrations and early bird purchases exceed capacity.

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Individual Ticket
 

Pre-Registered

$NZ 595 + GST each

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Early Bird

$NZ 645 + GST each

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General Release*

$NZ 745 + GST each

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10 - 20 Delegates
 

Pre-Registered

$NZ 545 + GST each

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Early Bird

$NZ 595 + GST each

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General Release*

$NZ 695 + GST each

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20+ Delegates
 

Pre-Registered

$NZ 500 + GST each

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Early Bird

$NZ 545 + GST each

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General Release*

$NZ 645 + GST each

Finalists Announced for the Worthies Awards

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The Worthies Awards Aotearoa New Zealand has today announced the finalists for its inaugural awards competition, celebrating outstanding work across the public sector, creative agencies, charities, and not‑for‑profit organisations.

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The response to the first year of the programme exceeded expectations, with a large number of high‑quality entries submitted from across Aotearoa. The calibre, creativity, and impact of the work entered reflects the depth of talent and commitment within the country’s purpose‑driven sectors.

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Winners, including the Creative Agency of the Year and Rising Star Award will be revealed at The Worthies Conference & Awards, taking place in the Grand Hall, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, on Thursday 5 March. The event will bring together leaders, practitioners, and partners from across the sector for a day of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

Tickets for the Conference are on sale now, with limited spaces available.

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BEST PUBLIC SECTOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

  • 4AM

  • Curative

  • Federation and Auckland Transport

  • Auckland Transport

  • MetService

BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY CAMPAIGN

  • Auckland Council

  • Gisborne District Council

  • Neighbourhood Support New Zealand and Rainger & Rolfe

MOST EFFECTIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION / ENGAGEMENT

  • Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand

  • Taranaki Regional Council

  • Wonderlab Ltd

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Auckland Transport

  • Gisborne District Council

  • VML

CHARITY/NGO CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR 2025

  • 4AM

  • Bettle-Associates

  • Chemistry

  • Gather Productions

  • Motion Sickness

  • These Guys I know

MOST EFFECTIVE TE AO MĀORI CAMPAIGN OR ADVERTISEMENT

  • Keep Māori Wards Manawatū

  • Motion Sickness

BEST TELEVISION AD

  • Auckland Council

  • Federation and Auckland Transport

  • Motion Sickness

BEST USE OF OOH MEDIA

  • Auckland Transport

  • LUMO, MetService, NEMA, VML, Perion & Latch

  • New Zealand Police

  • Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

BEST USE OF MUSIC - BROUGHT TO YOU BY WEST ONE MUSIC GROUP

  • Bettle-Associates

  • Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

  • VML

CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR 2025

  • Courtney Haines Official

  • Little & Loud

  • SpeakData Ltd

  • These Guys I Know

BEST INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SECTOR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

  • Kindred Studio

  • Sydney Water

  • TV5MONDE

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

  • Chemistry

  • Keep Māori Wards Manawatū

  • Pead | Kindness Collective

  • Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

BEST USE OF HUMOUR

  • Auckland Transport

  • Gisborne District Council

  • Motion Sickness

  • Office of The Mayor, Auckland

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS TEAM OF THE YEAR 2025

  • Auckland Council

  • New Zealand Police

The Worthies conference
The Worthies Conference
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Pre-Award Drinks

and

Awards

A chance to relax, connect and network with fellow delegates attending the Conference before the Awards ceremony. This follows the conclusion of the conference programme.

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