NZ Energy Sector Awards 2010

September 2010

The inaugural Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards were held in Wellington on Sepember 8th to recognise achievement and excellence in the New Zealand energy sector.Over 550 guests gathered for the black-tie event at the Wellington Town Hall.Associate Minister of Energy and Resources, Pansy Wong, congratulated all the winners and finalists. "Recognising those who achieve excellence in any field of industry is an important part of a successful country," she says. Minister Gerry Brownlee was unable to attend because of commitments in quake-struck Canterbury.

Mighty River Power won the Overall Energy Company of the Year award.  The Lines Company of the year award, sponsored by Tyco Electronics was won by The Lines Company.  With a total of 10 awards presented across all facets of our industry there was a broad range of companies represented.

Over 90 entries were received, Chairman of the Judging Panel, Peter Griffiths, says that the calibre of entries was very high and that he was impressed by the number of entries received for the first year. “The judging panel has been in the privileged position of seeing inside some of New Zealand’s best businesses and learning of their successes. It was a real challenge to select finalists from the diversity of entries.”The event was organised by Freeman Media, publisher of online news and information service Energy News. Organiser Matt Freeman says he was delighted with the way the event ran in its first year.

The principal sponsor for the event was Deloitte.

Deloitte partner and energy leader Paul Callow says the sector plays a fundamental part in the economy and the achievement of excellence deserves to be recognised.

“Recognition of the achievements of outstanding individuals and organisations in the energy sector in New Zealand is long overdue,” he says. “Deloitte is proud to be the principal sponsor of this event and to recognise the contribution that the finalists have made to an industry which is vital to our economy. I am pleased to offer my congratulations to all the awards winners.”

The MC for the evening was Prime TV news host Eric Young and a surprise visit from David McPhail as “Muldoon” rounded out the entertainment.

The event was attended at an executive level within the energy sector across the electricity and petroleum disciplines.

Matt Freeman