TE mana kiwi sppeex awards

Te Mana Kiwi SPPEEx Awards

are the premier awards programme for SPPEEx recognising the achievements, leadership, and excellence of Tangata Whenua (Māori) and Tagata o le Moana (Pacific Peoples) in engineering. The awards celebrate individuals who are making a positive impact on the profession, their communities, and future generations through technical excellence, leadership, innovation, and service.

Presented across three career stages, the awards recognise and showcase excellence from emerging professionals, established practitioners, and respected leaders who are shaping the future of engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the Pacific.

EMERGING (FUTURE)

Presented to an emerging leader or early-career professional with up to 10 years’ experience who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their field, emerging leadership, and a strong commitment to advancing Tangata Whenua (Māori) or Tagata o le Moana (Pacific Peoples) perspectives within engineering. The recipient will have made a meaningful contribution to the profession through excellence, innovation, and service.

CURRENT (PRESENT)

Presented to a current leader, engineer (typically has more than 10 years of experience), or a group who consistently demonstrates technical excellence, leadership, and a commitment to uplifting Tangata Whenua or Tagata o le Moana worldviews within the engineering profession.

LEGACY
(PAST)

Honours a distinguished leader, engineer, or group (typically with 25 or more years of experience) whose career reflects exceptional achievement, resilience, and lasting impact. The award recognises those who have successfully navigated and shaped a profession where the pathways for Tangata Whenua and Tagata o le Moana have often been uncharted, creating opportunities and inspiring others through their leadership and contribution.

nominations now open for 2026

In 2026, six awards will be presented across the Tangata Whenua and Tagata o le Moana categories, recognising excellence at different stages of an engineering career and symbolising the recipients’ professional journey, leadership, and contribution to the profession.
Nominations for the 2026 Te Mana Kiwi SPPEEx Awards are now open. Individuals, organisations, employers, peers, and community groups are encouraged to nominate outstanding Tangata Whenua and Tagata o le Moana engineers, with self-nominations also welcomed. The awards celebrate leadership, technical excellence, innovation, cultural advocacy, and service across all stages of a career, recognising those whose contributions are shaping the engineering profession and creating positive impact throughout Aotearoa and the Pacific.

tangata whenua awards

NOMINate

tagata o le moana awards

  • Fa'ataumua-ava (Emerging – Future)

    Representing the ava (reef passage) where the va'a first leaves the shelter of the lagoon and enters the open ocean, symbolising potential, discovery, and the beginning of a professional journey. This award is presented to an emerging leader who demonstrates exceptional promise, early achievement, and a commitment to advancing Pacific Peoples perspectives within engineering.

  • Tautai Moana (Current – Present)

    Representing the ocean navigator, symbolising skill, knowledge, leadership, and purposeful direction. This award is presented to an established professional, or group/team, who demonstrates technical excellence, leadership, and meaningful advocacy for Pacific Peoples while actively shaping the engineering profession and contributing to their communities.

  • Faatonu Folau (Legacy – Past)

    Representing the master navigator who guides the voyage, symbolising wisdom, experience, and the ability to chart new pathways for others. This award is presented to a distinguished leader, engineer, or group/team whose career has navigated new horizons, demonstrating enduring leadership, exceptional achievement, and a lasting contribution to engineering and Pacific communities.

Nominate

awards eligibility & criteria

Ready to showcase excellence? Explore our Awards Eligibility and Criteria page for everything you need to know before preparing your submission.

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‍ PREVIOUS award winners

Take a moment to revisit our 2025 Award Winners and celebrate the remarkable individuals whose achievements and contributions continue to make a lasting impact.

2025 award winners

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