NZVA Awards

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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 (NZVA) proudly recognises significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our veterinary community.

You can download the full list of previous winners here.

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 (NZVA). The Board aims to recognise the service of our volunteers, who help us ensure the profession's contribution to the country'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 (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 Regional Branches, Special Interest Branches or the NZVA
  • Public honour and distinction brought to the veterinary profession through personal, professional, or community service activities.

Nominations and eligibility

To recognise individuals whose contribution to New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) has been of an exceptional nature. This has been sparingly awarded to date.

Award criteria

These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the criteria for Outstanding Service Award and President's Award and includes:

  • Is open to anyone who has rendered exceptional service to the NZVA
  • Recognises long and valued service to the affairs of the NZVA, the Special Interest Branches, Regional Branches, standing committees and the profession at large
  • Positive impact on animal, human or public health, veterinary organisations and the profession
  • A veterinarian who has brought public honour and distinction to the veterinary profession through personal, professional, or community service activities
  • Outstanding leadership
  • Outstanding contribution to the NZVA, Regional Branches, 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 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 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 will honour an individual who has 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 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 Business Excellence Award was established in 2017.

Award criteria

This award category is open to any veterinarian within New Zealand. The Award will recognise 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 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 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Award was established in 2021.

Award criteria

This award category is open to all veterinarians within New Zealand. The Award will recognise 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 New Zealand. The Award will recognise and acknowledge positive steps taken by a company associated with the veterinary industry, individuals or practices towards making some practical application of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Nominations and eligibility