Award Categories and Conditions

These awards are an opportunity to recognize and honor the exceptional contributions, dedication, and hard work of our members. We invite you to nominate individuals or teams who have demonstrated excellence in the following categories:
  1. Outstanding Achievement: This award honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and impact in their field, achieving remarkable success and setting a high standard for excellence.
  2. Contribution to the ECE Sector: This award recognises an individual who has made significant contributions to the ECE community through volunteer work, leadership, or other forms of service, making a positive difference in the lives of others.
  3. Teaching Excellence Award: This award recognises a kaiako or teaching staff who demonstrates outstanding commitment for the learning and wellbeing of tamariki.
  4. Exceptional Community-based Centre: This award recognises a community-based centre that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to providing high quality education and care for tamariki, engaging with local communities and setting a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
  5. Exceptional Private Centre: This award recognises a privately-owned centre that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to providing high quality education and care for tamariki, engaging with local communities and setting a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
  6. Members' Choice Supplier Award (New in 2026): This is award is voted by the ECC membership and recognises a supplier in the sector who is providing significant value to members.
Nominees can be self or peer nominated but must fit in to the following criteria:
  • Either a current member centre or employee of the member, or
    • a Life Member, or
    • currently serving on the Executive Committee.
  • Must be registered for the Gala Dinner and Awards to collect the award on Friday 31 July at Tākina in Wellington. Conference registration is not required.

Suppliers nominated for the Member's Choice Supplier Award must fit the following criteria:
  • Supplier must provide goods or services applicable to the New Zealand ECE sector.
  • Supplier must be an active and legitimate business capable of delivering at a consistently high standard.
There are no limitations on the number of awards a person or centre can win. Please submit one nomination form per category.

ECC reserves the right to exclude a nomination if they do not fit the above criteria. By clicking next, you acknowledge the terms and conditions stated and will be prompted to submit your nomination.

Nominations will close at 5pm on Friday 12 June 2026 and all awards will be announced at the ECC Awards ceremony on Friday 31 July at Tākina in Wellington.
( Privacy & Cookie Notice

T