NZVA Awards

Part of being a proud and successful profession is acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of others. 

Each year, the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) proudly recognises significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our veterinary community.

Download the full list of previous winners.

The Outstanding Service Award was established in 2002 to recognise individuals who deserve special recognition for service on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA). The NZVA Board aims to recognise the service of our volunteers, who help us ensure the veterinary profession's contribution to New Zealand's economy, and animal health and welfare is recognised and valued.

Award criteria

The award recognises long and valued service to the affairs of the NZVA including:

  • length of service, longer service carrying more weight than shorter service
  • quality and benefit of service to members
  • degree of voluntary input, over and above that which would normally be expected of a person in that position.

Nominations and eligibility

The New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) recognises that certain individuals or organisations accomplish extraordinary achievements on behalf of the profession and, as such, need to be acknowledged. This Award recognises meritorious service to the veterinary profession in the broadest sense.

Award criteria

The criteria for the Award encompass areas of service to the profession including:

  • professional competence
  • recognition of the recipient's outstanding contribution to the NZVA
  • positive impact on animal, human or public health, veterinary organisations, and the profession
  • outstanding leadership in building stronger Regional Branches, Special Interest Branches or the NZVA
  • contribution to the improvement of the NZVA or it's regional networks or special interest branches
  • public honour and distinction brought to the veterinary profession through personal, professional or community service activities.

Nominations and eligibility

An Honorary Life Membership recognises individuals whose contribution to the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) has been of an exceptional nature. This has been awarded sparingly to date.

Award criteria

An Honorary Life Membership is open to anyone who has rendered exceptional service to the NZVA. These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the criteria for the Outstanding Service Award and the President's Award. Nominees will:

  • demonstrate a positive impact on animal, human or public health, veterinary organisations, and the profession
  • be a veterinarian who has brought public honour and distinction to the veterinary profession through personal, professional or community service activities
  • show outstanding leadership
  • made an outstanding contribution to the NZVA and its regional networks and special interest branches.

Nominations and eligibility

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) recognises that certain individuals, or organisations, accomplish extraordinary achievements on behalf of the profession and as such need to be acknowledged. The Veterinary Impact Award was established in 2017.

Award criteria

The Award will be bestowed on an individual who has made a considerable positive impact for the veterinary profession, animal health or welfare, or public health during the past two years. Such impact could have been made through any field of veterinary endeavour, for example clinical practice, research, education, or veterinary politics.

Nominations and eligibility

The Young Veterinarian Award was established in 2017.

Award criteria

This award category is open to veterinarians up to the age of 35 years. The Award honours individuals who have shown outstanding veterinary, communication and leadership skills since graduating as a veterinarian. Nominees should possess key professional accomplishments that differentiate them from their peers.

Nomination and eligibility

The Veterinary Business Excellence Award was established in 2017.

Award criteria

This award category is open to any veterinarian or veterinary business within New Zealand. The Award recognises demonstrated business excellence that supports employee wellbeing, workplace innovation, entrepreneurial flair, professional leadership and collaboration, and/or customer service in a way that reflects positively on the veterinary profession.

Nomination and eligibility

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Award (previously the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Award) was established in 2021.

Award criteria

This award category is open to all veterinarians within New Zealand. The Award recognises individuals or teams who:

  • show innovative approaches to reducing antimicrobial usage (AMU)
  • show successful implementation of an AMU reduction approach
  • actively show support of the NZVA 2030 Statement.

Nominations and eligibility

The Environmental Sustainability Award was established in 2022.

Award criteria

This award category is open to all veterinarians, veterinary businesses or veterinary groups within Aotearoa New Zealand. The Award recognises and acknowledges positive steps taken towards making some practical application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Nominations and eligibility

The Community Engagement Award was established in 2024.

Award criteria

This award aims to recognise individuals or organisations that have made outstanding contributions to community outreach and education related to animal health and welfare. This award celebrates efforts that bridge the gap between veterinary professionals and the public, enhancing awareness and promoting positive change in animal care.

Nominations and eligibility

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