2026 NZHA Lifetime Contribution & Achievement Award

Aviation Industry Association Awards – 2026 NZHA: Lifetime Contribution & Achievement Award

Category Description

This award recognises an individual’s outstanding and sustained impact on the New Zealand helicopter industry. It honours a career marked by leadership, innovation, advocacy, and a deep commitment to advancing the sector.

Typically 20+ years of service in the industry
Proven leadership, mentorship, or industry development
Notable contributions to safety, innovation, or operational excellence
Endorsed by industry peers or organisations

Please note: this award is not always presented.

Pictured: 2025 winner – Wayne Christie

Nominations closes 31 July 2026

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be an individual who has made a significant and sustained impact on the New Zealand helicopter industry.

The nominee must have a minimum of 20 years of service within the helicopter industry, demonstrating leadership, mentorship, or industry development.

The nominee must have made notable contributions to safety, innovation, and operational excellence, and be endorsed by industry peers or organisations.

All information will be confidential and only shared with the judges assessing this category.

You are encouraged to provide and refer to any supporting material for the judges’ consideration. This material can include financial or business metrics, images, statistics, transcripts, media coverage, accolades, testimonials or recommendations, references and other relevant information.

Documents and evidence supplied, will be disregarded if they are not correctly referenced and pertinent to your submission. You may submit a maximum of FOUR supporting documents to strengthen your entry unless directed otherwise. All information will be confidential and only shared with the judges assessing this category.

Award Nomination - 2026 NZHA Lifetime Contribution & Achievement Award

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Nominator Name*

First Last

Nominator Email*

Nominator Phone*

Nominee Full Name*

Nominee Email (if known)

Nominee Phone (if known)

Detail the nominee’s outstanding and sustained contributions to the New Zealand helicopter industry, with specific examples of leadership, mentorship, or industry development over their career.*

Highlight how the nominee has advanced the industry in areas such as safety, innovation, or operational excellence.*

Describe how the nominee's contributions have had a lasting impact on the helicopter sector and its community.*

Provide evidence of the nominee's role in advocating for the helicopter industry and fostering its growth and improvement.*

Explain the nominee’s vision for the future of the industry and their role in shaping that future.*

You are encouraged to provide and refer to any supporting material for the judges’ consideration.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 256 MB, Max. files: 4.

You are encouraged to provide and refer to any attached supporting material for the judges’ consideration. This material can include financial or business metrics, images, statistics, transcripts, media coverage, accolades, testimonials or recommendations/ references and other relevant information. The documents will be disregarded if they are not directly referenced and pertinent to your submission. Unless directed otherwise, you may submit a maximum of FOUR supporting documents to strengthen your entry.

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