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The Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) has advised of the winners of the 2021 edition of its annual Entertainment Venue Awards.

Taking place online last Thursday (26th November), presentation of the 10th edition of the Awards was MC’d by EVANZ Board Member and Manager of the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua, Joelene Elliott and brought to the screen by the combined technical efforts of Ungerboeck and Vidcom.

Awards were presented in seven award categories and the Finalists came from throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand - from Auckland to Invercargill and from New Plymouth to Hastings.

Judging was undertaken by a panel of judges assembled from leading entertainment and events organisations and EVANZ Board members.

This year the Contribution to Industry Award, recognising dedication and success within the industry, went to Robbie McRae who, for almost two decades, has been a leader in the live arts and entertainment industry in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.  Robbie leaves his current role with Auckland Live and Conventions at the end of this year.

Good Systems Aotearoa, specialist consultants in Health and Safety and Quality Systems Management, won the Best Industry Supplier award sponsored by Vidcom.

In the Venues section, Toitoi - Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings was awarded Small Venue of the Year, Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal received the Medium Venue of the Year award, and The Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth won the Large Venue of the Year. 

In the People categories, Jenni Hall from Carterton Event Centre won the Rising Star award, Chynna Laughton of Eden Park won Team Member of the Year, and Stuart Lyon, from Auckland Live took out the Team Leader of the Year Award.

The EVANZ Award Finalists and Recipients for 2021 are:

General Categories
EVANZ Contribution to Industry Award        
Recipient: Robbie McRae Auckland Live and Auckland Conventions 
Robbie has been hugely influential in the performing arts venue industry in New Zealand in his various roles as director of firstly The Edge, then Auckland Live, then Auckland Live and Conventions. Robbie’s adventurous, brave, and trusted leadership has helped guide and support performing arts companies, stakeholders, and partners at all levels of the industry; instilled confidence in clients and audiences; and seen the performing arts become accessible to more Aucklanders than ever before.

Robbie leaves behind a legacy that will continue in the programming, the custodianship of the venues, the future proofing of the business, the growth and engagement of audiences, and the enrichment of the lives of all who visit and live in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Venue Award Categories
Tompkins Wake Large Venue of the Year Award (Over 5,000 seats)
Winner: The Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth
Finalists: Eden Park, Auckland and Claudelands Oval, Hamilton
Judges’ comments: “An excellent award submission, demonstrating the diversity and scope of the venue. Showing a huge commitment to their stakeholders and customers.”

Apex Insurance and Reliance Risk Medium Venue of the Year (1,001-4,999 seats)
Winner: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Finalists: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill and The Civic, Auckland
Judges’ comments: “Love the energy and enthusiasm that is clear in the venue’s strategic focus. It sounds like the venue has taken a great approach to flexibility, agility and being up for responding well to COVID. Through this, there is evidence that the venue has maintained the good faith of suppliers, hirers and the community.”

EVANZ Small Venue of The Year (less than 1,000 seats)
Winner: Toitoi - Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre
Finalists: Globe Theatre, Palmerston North and Haere-Roa, University of Canterbury
Judges’ comments: “Toitoi's has a very balanced approach to community. A true understanding of their base has meant they have a defined and different approach, depending on the hirer. This speaks highly to their community focus.”

People Award Categories
VMA Team Leader of the Year 
Winner: Stuart Lyon, Auckland Live
Finalists: Nick Sautner, Eden Park and Nigel Skelt, ILT Stadium Southland
Judges’ comments: “This quote from a supplier sums up Stuart's drive for providing a great service ‘It was evident early on that Stuart's new approach cast aside 'things being done the way they always had been' and his emphasis on working in partnership as one team made a huge difference’. “

The winner of the VMA Venue Executive of the Year award receives complimentary registration to the Venue Management Association (VMA) Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress for 2022.

The Health Promotion Agency Team Member of the Year Award
Winner: Chynna Laughton, Eden Park
Finalists: Cat Angus, Isaac Theatre Royal and Simon Rayner, Carterton Events Centre
Judges’ comments: “Chynna has clearly stepped up this year and relishes the leadership challenge that Eden Park offers her, particularly in terms of new events and new types of events”

The winner of The Health Promotion Agency Team Member of the Year Award award receives complimentary registration to the 2022 EVANZ End of Year Conference.

Ungerboeck Rising Star of the Year Award 
Winner: Jenni Hall, Carterton Events Centre
Finalists: Vivienne Tevaga, Eden Park and Kendra Todd, The Trusts Arena
Judges’ comments: “Strong list of achievements by the nominee with wonderful examples/outcomes from customers on customer focus. Great to see the nominee taking an informal lead for key aspects within the venue. Very strong applicant across the judging criteria, Jenni has had a truly meaningful impact on the operation of the Carterton Events Centre for the benefit of the local community.”

The winner of the Ungerboeck Rising Star award receives a $5,000 scholarship to VMS - the Venue Management School in Australia. This scholarship covers years 1 and 2.

Images: Megan Peacock-Coyle from Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre reacting to their winning Small Venue of the Year (top) and Robbie McRae (below).

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