We’re excited to announce that expressions of interest are now OPEN for the 2026 ACE Awards!
If you’re an ACE member, this is your moment to tell us how your mahi is making a difference.
The refreshed awards programme showcases excellence in consulting, elevates the business of consulting and delivery, and celebrates culturally competent practice and strong client relationships across Aotearoa.
You have until 31 March 2026 to submit your expression of interest via our new awards platform, designed to streamline submissions and make the process easier and more transparent.
Below are the key details about how to submit an expression of interest, including award categories, submission guidelines and important dates. We’re looking forward to reading your award-worthy entries. Tell us your story!
Who can enter the 2026 ACE Awards?
Any ACE member firm can enter. It doesn’t matter how small or large your firm is; if you’ve demonstrated excellence in consulting or played a key role in advancing the industry, we want to hear about it.
Which ACE Award categories are open now?
- Ace of Collaboration
- Ace of Impact
- Ace of Innovation
- Ace of Relationships
- Ace of Sustainability
- Ace of Value
- Ace of Small Business
- Ace of Medium Business
- Ace of Large Business
For more information about each award, including the assessment criteria and submission guidelines, visit the ACE Awards platform.
Which ACE Award categories will open later?
- He Tohu Auroa
- Emerging Leader Award
- Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Futurespace Award
How do I submit an expression of interest?
This year we’re using a new online platform to streamline the submission process.
You don’t need to create a submission document as all the information is saved on the awards platform.
- Go to acenz.awardsplatform.com
- Log in or register with your email address and set up a password
- You’ll be taken to the ‘Entry page’
- To start your entry, scroll down and click ‘Start entry’
- Under ‘Category’, use the drop-down menu to select ‘ACE Awards – for firms’
- Select the award you want to enter, for example ‘Ace of Collaboration’
- Write your entry name in the ‘Entry name’ box. Click on ‘Save + next’
- Proceed through the purple tabs at the top with the headings ‘Eligibility Check’, ‘Applicant Details’, ‘Partner Firms’, ‘Expression of Interest’ filling in all the details
- Press ‘Submit’
Can I submit a project for two different awards?
This year we’ve moved from a “project-based” awards programme to a “consultancy excellence” awards programme and we’re looking for examples of the behaviours the award criteria highlights. So we’re encouraging you to use projects or parts of projects as those examples where relevant.
You can use multiple projects as examples on any entry, and/or the same project examples on multiple entries, and focus on highlighting those excellent consulting behaviours.
We suggest you look at the behaviours you want to showcase, and use your relationships and projects to demonstrate excellent consulting behaviour.
Does it cost to submit an EOI?
No, there is no cost to submit an expression of interest. However, if your entry is shortlisted and you are invited to make a full submission, a submission fee will apply.
Can I make changes once I’ve submitted my EOI?
Yes, you can return to your entry and make changes until 31 March 2026. Go to
acenz.awardsplatform.com, select the ‘Enter’ tab at the top, and scroll down to find your entry.
When will I find out if my EOI is on the shortlist?
We’ll let you know in early May whether your entry has been shortlisted. A maximum of five expressions of interest will be shortlisted for each category.
Key dates for 2026
- 3 March: Expression of interest opens
- 31 March: Expression of interest closes
- 6 May: Shortlisted entrants notified
- 13 May: ACE Awards submissions open
- 22 June: ACE Awards submissions close
- July and August: Judging takes place
- 8 September: Finalists notified
- 5 November: ACE Awards Gala
‘ACE Awards inspire us to challenge the status quo’
For GHD, winning an ACE Award was a powerful way to recognise the team’s hard work and strengthen its client relationships. Business Group Leader Asem Zabin and Executive Advisor Digital Theresa Wells tell us what the recognition meant to them and their team.
An exciting new era for the ACE Awards
We talk to ACE Awards Convenor David Bridges about the why the 2026 ACE Awards are the beginning of an exciting and vital new chapter in consulting history.
Contact
For any 2026 ACE Awards enquiries, please get in touch with the team:
Yasmin Rudman-Cruse // ACE Awards Operations Co-ordinator // yasmin@acenz.org.nz
Hannah Bryce // General Manager of Engagement // hannah@acenz.org.nz