annual awards 2024

Nomination form

How to take part:

 

Nominations can be put forward on behalf of your co-operative, yourself, or another co-operative or individual. You can nominate across as many award categories as you wish so long as your nominee meets the eligibility criteria of each category.

To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form below! Entries are open until 5pm Friday 13 September.

Got a question? Please refer to our FAQs at the bottom of this page. 

2024 Award Categories:

Co-operative/Mutual of the Year 2024

This award will be presented to a Cooperative Business NZ Full member (organisation) that has made a significant and positive impact within the cooperative community over 2023/2024 (1 June 2023 – 31 May 2024).

The award is about celebrating the success of the co-operative business model. The winner will have clearly demonstrated the value of the model in returning benefits to members and to their local communities.

Leader of the Year 2024

This award will be presented to an individual who has shown significant cooperative leadership either within a members’ co-operative or the co-operative sector generally, over 2023/2024 (1 June 2023 – 31 May 2024). The nominee must have clearly demonstrated:

  • Co-operative leadership
  • Vision and courage for the co-operative model
  • Successful initiative(s) that have benefited their co-operative or the cooperative sector
  • Commitment & support of well recognised and accepted co-operative principles

This award is open to all members of Cooperative Business NZ, regardless of membership type.

Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

This Award will be presented to an individual that over the long term (10 plus years) has contributed significantly to the success of the co-operative model for a Cooperative Business NZ member organisation, or to the wider New Zealand co-operative sector. 

This award is not intended to just recognise long service but is to also recognise significant contributions made to developing a member’s co-operative business model and/or to the broader New Zealand co-operative sector. It ensures appropriate recognition is given to individuals who give of themselves freely, often over the course of their careers, to the member-owned community.  

This award is open to all members of Cooperative Business NZ, regardless of membership type. 

This award may be presented to more than one individual. 

 Note: This award was previously known as the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Co-operatives’ Award.  

Emerging Business of the Year 2024

This award will be presented to an emerging co-operative (under five years in operation as of 31 May 2024) who has been tenacious in establishing their businesses and attracting members to support the co-operative sector in New Zealand and the communities that they are operating/plan to operate within. 

The award aims to recognise and celebrate the work that a newly established co-operative is doing in ensuring their long-term success, viability and contribution to the co-operative community.

This award is open to Full and Provisional members (organisation) of Cooperative Business NZ. The organisation needs to be registered with the New Zealand Companies Office.  

Emerging Leader of the Year 2024

This award will be presented to an individual (aged 35 and under) who is making their mark within their member organisation.

It aims to recognise contribution through innovation, driving best practice, collaboration or co-operation.

This award is open to individuals working within or a member of an organisation that is a Full or Provisional member of Cooperative Business NZ

Nomination form

The nomination form contains a set of 7 questions. We would like to know more about yourself, which category you are nominating for, and who you are nominating. The last question requires you to upload your application in PDF format that convinces the judging panel that the organisation or person you’re nominating is the best in your chosen award category. Please refer to the FAQs below or reach out if you need further support. Entries are open until 5pm Friday 13 September.

FAQs

 

Can I enter more than one award category?

Absolutely. We encourage it. Each specialist category has different criteria and requires a separate entry – so choose wisely, focus your efforts, and make sure you really stand out before committing to additional entries.

Do you have a nomination Word or Google Sheet template?

No, we do not have structured templates for each award category. There are short descriptions against each award category (above) and the judges are keen that you have the flexibility to choose how to best describe your nomination against these. 

 

 Is there a word or page limit?

Focus on what’s important, try to stick to under 5 pages including images, graphs and text. 

 

Can I add images, videos or links to my application?

Yes! You can include supporting images or graphs in your application. If you want to include video or online content, please include a link. Don’t forget to provide passwords if needed for download links.

 

Who can help with my entry?

  • For issues with the online nomination form, please contact us.
  • For assistance with your application itself, please contact us. *previous contact link was incorrect, if you have been trying to contact us and have not received a reply please email us again at info@nz.coop. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
  • Don’t forget to check our other FAQs for answers to common questions.

 

What makes a good application?

  • Your job is to convince the judging panel that the organisation or person you’re nominating is the best in your chosen award category.
  • Be yourself, be compelling, and make sure you can back your claims up with evidence.
  • Read the criteria carefully and make sure your address the criteria correctly.
  • The judges will only have the information you provide in your entry, so make sure you provide all the important information that supports your application.
  • Make sure your claims are clear and supported.
  • Award-winning submissions always include data and evidence because doing so ensures credibility.

 

I’ve got a different question.

No worries! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – we’d be happy to help.