Spirit of the Wakatipu Gala Celebration

The 45South 2026 Spirit of the Wakatipu Gala brought our community together for a very special evening celebrating the individuals, organisations and businesses whose generosity, leadership, ideas and commitment make the Whakatipu an extraordinary place to call home. The Gala was an opportunity to shine a light on people who strengthen our community, care for our environment, create opportunities for others and often work quietly behind the scenes to make a lasting difference. While the evening celebrated winners across a wide range of categories, the real heart of the Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards is the collective contribution of everyone nominated. As the awards opened on the night, guests were reminded that the finalists represented only a fraction of the extraordinary contribution happening across the district every day. What the Gala celebrates goes far beyond one night or a collection of awards. It is about the countless hours of work, volunteering, advocacy, leadership and generosity that happen across the Whakatipu every day, often without recognition. It is about people seeing an opportunity to help, create or improve something and choosing to act. Thank you to every nominee and finalist, to our award winners, sponsors, supporters and volunteers, and to everyone who joined us for this year's celebration. Congratulations to our 2026 award winners Arts & Culture, sponsored by SkyCity - Queenstown
Showbiz Queenstown Community Service, sponsored by Queenstown Airport - Altrusa Queenstown Corporate Citizenship, sponsored by Buddle Findlay
 - AJ Hackett Bungy Education, sponsored by University of Otago
 - Alison Price, Turn Up The Music and Wakatipu High School Environment & Sustainability, sponsored by Skyline Enterprises
 - Southern Lakes Sanctuary Health & Wellbeing, sponsored by Moore Markhams
 - Katherine Lamont, Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Resilience, sponsored by PowerNet
 - Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) Rising Star, sponsored by 45South Community Foundation
 - Sammy Sison, Wakatipu High School Social Impact Innovator, supported by Tom Tom Productions
 - Julie Scott, Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust Sport & Recreation, sponsored by Deloitte
 - John Morrison, Whakatipu Rowing Club Youth Impact, sponsored by Walker & Co Realty
 - Pivotal Point Charitable Trust People’s Choice, sponsored by Mountain Scene
 - Showbiz Queenstown Mayor’s Heart of the Whakatipu Awards Three special Mayor’s Heart of the Whakatipu Awards were also presented, recognising extraordinary long-term service to the community: Ella Wilson, whose decades of volunteering have touched organisations including Plunket, the Hospice Shop, Baby Box Trust, Altrusa, Queenstown Dinner Club and Showbiz Queenstown. Matua Ned Wepiha, recognised for 50 years of service to the Whakatipu and his contribution across generations through te reo Māori, tikanga, music, kapa haka, mentoring and cultural leadership. David Clarke, recognised for his longstanding contribution to protecting and celebrating Arrowtown’s history and heritage, including his leadership and advocacy through the museum and wider community. Congratulations to all the finalists, and especially the winners who represent the Spirit of the Wakatipu and do so much to contribute to our community.