NZSAE is delighted to announce Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau as the 2026 winner of the Association of the Year – Impact Award.

This award recognises associations that have made a significant and meaningful impact for their members, sector, profession, industry or wider community.

Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau was recognised for its Wonder Project, an initiative that connects students with volunteer engineers and STEM professionals and has reached more than 200,000 students across 1,500 schools since 2018.

The Wonder Project demonstrates the power of an association to mobilise an entire profession around a shared purpose — helping inspire young people, build New Zealand’s future STEM workforce and create opportunities that extend well beyond the organisation’s membership.

Congratulations to Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau, our 2026 Association of the Year – Impact Award winner.

NZSAE also congratulates our outstanding 2026 finalists:

• EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association)
• Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
• New Zealand Institute of Safety Management Inc

Each finalist demonstrated the important and often unseen contribution associations make across New Zealand.

This is why Associations Matter.

NZSAE is delighted to announce Siobhan Molloy, Executive Director and Kaiwhakahaere Matua of the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association, as the 2026 Association Leader of the Year.

This award recognises an outstanding association leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strengthened their organisation and made a significant contribution to their members, profession, sector or community.

Since taking up the role in 2021, Siobhan has led a significant transformation of the Association, strengthening organisational capability, professional standards, member services and long-term sustainability.

During her leadership, membership has grown from 953 to more than 1,530, while the Association has also championed culturally responsive leadership and initiatives including the Te Rito Bicultural Competency Programme.

Siobhan's leadership demonstrates the important role association executives play in building stronger organisations and, ultimately, stronger professions.

Congratulations to Siobhan Molloy, our 2026 Association Leader of the Year.

NZSAE also congratulates our outstanding 2026 finalists:

• Dr Richard Templer
• Grant Davidson
• Gillian Blythe

Each finalist represents the calibre of leadership that continues to strengthen New Zealand's association community.

This is why Associations Matter.

NZSAE is delighted to announce Michelle Dogra of Steel Construction New Zealand as the 2026 winner of the Emerging Leader Award.

This award recognises an emerging association professional who demonstrates initiative, leadership potential and a commitment to making a meaningful contribution to their organisation, members and sector.

Michelle was recognised for her significant contribution to Steel Construction New Zealand's growth and digital transformation.

Her work has supported membership growth from 284 to 800, helped increase conference attendance from around 100 to 300 participants, and contributed to the modernisation of systems and processes across the organisation.

Beyond her formal responsibilities, Michelle also established the Women in Structural Steel initiative. The programme has expanded across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and has become Steel Construction New Zealand's second most-attended event series.

Michelle's achievement demonstrates what emerging leadership looks like in practice — identifying opportunities, turning ideas into action and creating lasting value for others.

Congratulations to Michelle Dogra, our 2026 Emerging Leader Award winner.

NZSAE also congratulates our outstanding 2026 finalists:

• Lydia Butler
• Nicole Adams
• Trina Edwards

Each finalist represents an exciting new generation of leadership within New Zealand's association sector.

This is why Associations Matter.

NZSAE is delighted to announce the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) as the 2026 winner of the Excellence in Member Engagement Award.

This award recognises outstanding approaches to engaging, connecting and representing members, demonstrating how strong member relationships can create meaningful outcomes.

EMA was recognised for its Change the Act campaign, which transformed years of member frustration with the Holidays Act into a sustained programme of engagement and advocacy.

Through more than 30 briefings, major webinars, specialist workshops and a national roadshow, thousands of employers were given the opportunity to share their experiences and contribute to the reform process.

The campaign demonstrated the important role associations can play in turning member experience into credible, evidence-based advocacy and meaningful policy change.

Congratulations to EMA, our 2026 Excellence in Member Engagement Award winner.

NZSAE also congratulates our outstanding 2026 finalists:

• Cosmetics New Zealand
• Property Council New Zealand
• Steel Construction New Zealand

Each finalist demonstrated innovative and effective ways of engaging their members and strengthening the communities they serve.

This is why Associations Matter.