The people powering the places New Zealanders rely on every day have been recognised at the 2026 Ngā Tohu a FMANZ Awards, marking a decade of celebrating the FM industry’s best and brightest.
Held before a packed audience at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the awards honoured the professionals, teams and organisations that help keep Aotearoa’s built environment, and the people within it, safe, sustainable and thriving.
Presented by the Facilities Management Association of New Zealand (FMANZ), the Ngā Tohu a FMANZ Awards are now in their 10th year and have become the profession’s premier celebration, shining a spotlight on the people responsible for the performance and care of the spaces and places where New Zealanders work, learn, connect and gather.
From hospitals and schools to airports, civic facilities and commercial hubs, facilities management professionals oversee billions of dollars’ worth of assets and support the smooth operation of the spaces used by millions of people every day.
Often working behind the scenes, they play a critical role in keeping communities functioning, resilient and future focused. This year’s winners represent the very best of that contribution.
This year’s winners:
Brian Happy Award for Facilities Manager of the Year | Te Tohu o Brian Happy Kaiwhakahaere Whakaurunga o te Tau
Winner – Samantha Martin PFMANZ, Manager Facilities Services, Rotorua Lakes Council
The judges were unanimous in their feedback that Samantha’s “blend of technical excellence, strategic thinking, advocacy and care for people,” made her a deserving recipient of the Facilities Manager of the Year Award.
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Emerging Facilities Management Professional of the Year Award | Te Ringa Ngaio Maea ki FM o te Tau
Winner – Amy Johnson AFMANZ, Property Helpdesk Team Leader, Hato Hone St John
The judges praised Amy for being an “incredible communicator, with a natural gift for building rapport and trust, and a talent for contextualising complex situations.”
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Facilities Management Team of the Year Award | Te Ranga FM o te Tau
Winner – Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Facilities Services Team
Their “culture of empowerment, diversity and shared intelligence,” was noted by the judges, as was their “genuine passion for their profession, portfolio and teammates.”
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Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award | Te Tohu Whakaaweawe Whakauke me te Taiao
Winner – Ventia Auckland Council Team
The judges were impressed by the team’s “purpose-led leadership and strong sense of personal ownership,” applauding them for bringing “sustainability to life in everyday facilities management.”
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Service Provider of the Year Award | Te Kaiwhakawhiwhi Ratonga o te Tau
Winner – TESTntel
“An organisation that leads with purpose, integrity, and heart,” is how the judges described our winner, congratulating them on their “ability to combine technical innovation to deliver clear, measurable results for clients.”
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FMANZ CEO, Jo Duggan, says the 10-year milestone highlights how the awards have evolved to celebrate the people and stories behind the profession.
“What started as a simple awards programme a decade ago has become something incredibly special for our FMANZ community. These awards now tell the stories of the people behind our buildings, workplaces, and communities – recognising not only excellence, but care, leadership, resilience, and impact.”
She says this year’s finalists highlight the depth of talent across the sector.
“Listening to the finalist interviews this year has been genuinely inspiring and a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people shaping our sector across Aotearoa New Zealand. Every finalist and winner should feel enormously proud of the contribution they make.”
