After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to place the NZ Compare Awards on hiatus for 2026.
Dear Entrants, Sponsors and Judges,
Since launching nine years ago, the NZ Compare Awards has grown into one of New Zealand's leading independent industry awards programmes. During that time, we have celebrated excellence across the broadband, energy and mobile sectors, recognising providers that have consistently delivered outstanding products, innovation and customer service.
Over the years, we have received hundreds of award entries, welcomed thousands of guests to our gala events, and celebrated the achievements of many of New Zealand's most respected organisations and industry professionals. Even through the unprecedented disruption of COVID-19, we remained committed to the programme, adapting where necessary and returning with bigger and stronger events as the industry recovered.
The Awards have always been about more than trophies. They have helped showcase innovation, recognise excellence, encourage healthy competition and provide a platform for celebrating the people and businesses raising standards for New Zealand consumers. We are incredibly proud of what the NZ Compare Awards have achieved and the reputation they have built over the past decade.
Over the past few years, however, the landscape has changed considerably. Industry consolidation has reduced the number of providers participating across several categories, engagement from the market has declined, and the increasing workload and operational requirements involved in delivering the Awards have become more difficult to justify alongside other strategic priorities within Global Compare Group.
While financial considerations have also contributed to this decision, the primary driver is ensuring our resources remain focused on initiatives that best align with the wider direction and long-term vision of the Group.
This is not necessarily the end of the NZ Compare Awards. We remain incredibly proud of what has been achieved and will continue to review whether there is an opportunity to bring the programme back in the future in a format that better reflects the evolving telecommunications and utilities markets in New Zealand.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported the Awards over the years. To our entrants, thank you for sharing your achievements and continually raising the standard across your industries. To our sponsors, thank you for your partnership and belief in the programme. And to our judges, thank you for generously contributing your time, expertise and independence to ensure the Awards maintained their credibility and integrity.
The success of the NZ Compare Awards has only been possible because of your support, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey.
Thank you once again, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future.
Thank you for being part of the journey,
Gavin Male (CEO)
and the NZ Compare Team