FAQs

WHEN DO ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2026?

Entries are open from the 20th March through to the 16th June.

WHO CAN ENTER A PRODUCT IN THE NZ SPIRITS AWARDS?

Distillers and distributors are invited to submit entries. All products entered must be commercially available in New Zealand.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER A PRODUCT IN THE NZ SPIRITS AWARDS?

• NON-MEMBERS $160 + GST
• SPIRITS NEW ZEALAND MEMBER $130 + GST
• DSA MEMBERS $90 + GST
• NEW ZEALAND DESIGN PACKAGING AWARD, $90.00 GST
• NEW ZEALAND INNOVATION AWARD, $90.00 + GST
• NEW ZEALAND EMERGING PRODUCT AWARD, $90.00 + GST
• BEST PAIRING AWARD, $40 + GST
• BEST PRE-BATCHED COCKTAIL AWARD, $90 + GST

WHAT SIZE BOTTLE SHOULD YOU SEND?

One bottle (minimum 450mls) per entry will need to be received.

WHERE DO I SEND SAMPLES TO?

Please send entries to:

AVENUES EVENT MANAGEMENT

Ground Floor, 17 Garrett Street

Wellington 6011

New Zealand

WHEN WILL THE WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

Medal winners will be announced on the 30th July. Trophy winners will be announced at the annual awards dinner on the 14th August.

WHEN WILL THE AWARDS DINNER BE HELD?

The 2026 awards dinner will be held at the Maritime Room

WHO CAN ATTEND THE AWARDS DINNER?

We invite all entrants and their teams to join us in celebrating the incredible accomplishments of the spirits industry. Limited space will be available for media representatives.

HOW ARE THE JUDGING PANELS SELECTED?

Industry experts both nationally and internationally are invited to express interest in joining our judging panels. From there, applicants are peer-reviewed and short-listed by the New Zealand Spirits awards committee. Expressions of interest for 2026 are now open. Feel free to contact us if you would like to be considered for 2026. 

HOW CAN I ENTER INTO THE FEVER-TREE BEST PAIRING AWARD?

To be eligible to enter your gin into the Best Pairing Award, your gin must first be registered for the main awards. This exclusive category allows distilleries to highlight their gin’s

versatility and perfect pairing with the renowned Fever-Tree tonic.

If you have any questions that were not answered here, please contact nzspiritsawards@avenues.co.nz for support.