We’re absolutely thrilled to unveil the finalists for the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2026.
Once again, we’ve had a record number of entries to the Awards, which celebrate strategy, campaigns and individuals across the marketing spectrum in Aotearoa. Now in its 35th year, this is the only awards programme in New Zealand to focus on the essential business disciplines and benefits of great marketing.
Event partners NZ Marketing magazine and the Marketing Association put out the call in March, asking marketers to showcase their best work across more than 30 categories. The entries flew in.
The first round of judging is now complete, with 96 brands represented as finalists across the Marketing Excellence, Campaign and Individual Awards.
Several entrants received multiple nods from the judges, led by Auckland Transport with 15 and 2degrees with 11. Meanwhile Spark New Zealand earned eight, with seven apiece for Greyhounds as Pets, Trade Me, Whittaker’s and Zuru Group. There were six each for Goodman Fielder and Lion New Zealand.
Find the lists of finalists for 2026 here or click the links below.
Take me to the 2026 finalists
“The competition becomes more intense every year, with record entries again in 2026. Congratulations to everyone who has been announced as a finalist today,” says NZ Marketing editor Penny Murray. “The Awards were set up 35 years ago to recognise the important role marketing strategy plays in building successful brands. Today that’s as crucial as ever.”
“The quality of work among today’s finalists is seriously impressive. It shows what great marketing can do – drive growth, deliver real commercial results and make a genuine difference to a business. Thank you to everyone who entered, and to our 140-plus judges, who had the incredibly tough job of narrowing such a strong field down to the final few,” says John Miles, CEO of the Marketing Association.
Awards night is on Wednesday, September 2 at Spark Arena. It’s set to be an unmissable evening, so book now and take your place among Aotearoa’s best marketers. Buy tickets here.
For further information about the Awards, see the list of categories, specifics on the judging process and FAQs. Or email us.
Thanks to our sponsors
The 2026 YouTube NZ Marketing Awards are proudly brought to you by naming sponsor YouTube. Our gold sponsors are MediaWorks and oOh!media. Our silver sponsor is NZME, and category sponsors this year are Agency Directory, Dish magazine, SCG, Sky, StopPress, TRA and Vistar Media.
Producing the awards alongside NZ Marketing is long-time partner and industry body the Marketing Association.
