The ACE Awards are evolving – have your say
The ACE Awards celebrate excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand’s consulting sector – but you've told us they need to evolve. We want the awards to work for ALL our members, no matter the size of your firm or the kind of work you do. A full review of the awards is underway to ensure they remain relevant, inclusive and future-focused. Check out the proposed new categories and share your feedback.
Following valuable feedback from our members, we’ve launched a comprehensive review to ensure the awards remain relevant, inclusive and aligned with ACE New Zealand’s strategy. A review committee – made up of past judges, members from firms of all sizes, a client representative, and a former Board member – has been working hard to shape a refreshed programme that better recognises the breadth of consulting excellence across our sector. We’re now seeking feedback on the proposed new categories to make sure we’re hitting the mark.
What we’ve heard
Through surveys and direct conversations, you’ve told us the ACE Awards are a valued way to celebrate the work of our sector – but they need to evolve. Members want a programme that better reflects the diversity of consulting work, with clearer categories, a more streamlined entry process, and greater recognition for our diverse membership firms and emerging themes like sustainability, innovation and collaboration.
You also told us the awards should elevate the business of consulting – not just projects – and help raise the profile of our profession across Aotearoa and beyond.
We've gained insights from organisations like Consult Australia and the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards to explore how excellence in consulting is being recognised globally – not just through projects, but through business leadership, innovation and societal impact. This has helped shape a refreshed model that reflects international best practice while staying grounded in the unique needs of our members and the Aotearoa context.
What we’ve done
To ensure the ACE Awards reflect the full breadth of consulting excellence, we’ve developed a refreshed set of award categories grounded in member feedback, ACE’s strategic goals and our competency framework.
The review committee analysed local and international awards programmes, tested ideas with our Board, and designed a structure that recognises not just technical achievement, but also collaboration, sustainability, innovation and the business of consulting.
Each category is underpinned by clear judging criteria to ensure transparency, relevance, and integrity in the evaluation process.
What we want
We’re now inviting all ACE members to review the proposed award categories and structure, and tell us what you think. Your feedback is essential to ensure the refreshed ACE Awards reflect the values, aspirations and diversity of our sector.
This is your opportunity to make sure the awards work for you – no matter the size of your firm or the kind of work you do.
Proposed award categories
These new categories go beyond technical achievement to celebrate collaboration, sustainability, innovation and the human impact of our work. Upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a foundational expectation across all categories.
Each award is guided by clear judging criteria aligned with ACE’s competency framework and strategic goals, ensuring transparency, relevance and integrity throughout the evaluation process.
This document outlines the working title of each award, its purpose and the values it is designed to honour.
Have your say
Your feedback is essential to shaping the future ACE Awards programme – please have your say!
Join a webinar
We’re hosting a series of short webinars to explain the proposed changes and answer your questions. Choose the session that's right for you:
- Feedback session for small firms (fewer than 20 people) // Tuesday 8 July 12pm // Register here
- Feedback session for medium firms (between 20 and 99 people) // Wednesday 9 July 12pm // Register here
- Feedback session for large firms (100 or more people) // Thursday 10 July 12pm // Register here
Complete the survey
Tell us what you think about the new award categories and structure – it will take only a few minutes.