Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa is proud to recognise the exceptional strength of entries in this year’s programme. Thank you to everyone who entered—for your commitment and contribution to the growth of New Zealand’s manufacturing sector. Your work is a valuable part of the story we are telling about New Zealand’s manufacturing excellence.

The calibre of finalists reflects a sector that continues to deliver, even under sustained and extraordinary pressure. Across the board, manufacturers are responding to a challenging global environment and ongoing workforce pressures with innovation, adaptability, and determination. These finalists are not only holding firm — they are lifting performance and setting new benchmarks for excellence.

Importantly, this year’s line-up also celebrates the people behind the progress — from apprentices taking their first steps in the industry, through to emerging leaders shaping the future, and senior manufacturing leaders driving strategy and transformation across the sector. Their contribution highlights the depth of talent and the strength of the leadership pipeline within New Zealand manufacturing.

The 2026 finalists are:

Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Award – supported by Enztec

  1. Tanner Landon – Oasis Engineering (Western Bay of Plenty)
  2. Sam Boakes-Lark – MitchPine (Levin)
  3. Devin Givson – Culham Engineering (Whangarei)
  4. Ben Worthington - Bluefix Boatworks (Opua, Bay of Islands)

Manufacturer of the Year <FTE 50+>

  1. Architectural Glass Products (Cambridge, Waikato)
  2. PACT Group (Nationwide)
  3. Dawn Aerospace (Christchurch)
  4. Barkers Food Processors (Geraldine, South Canterbury)
  5. Vitaco (Auckland)
  6. RML Machinery (Hamilton, Waikato)

Manufacturing Leader of the Year – supported by Lawson Williams

  1. Johno Williams – Patton Engineering (Hastings)
  2. Bill Pridham – Barkers Food Processors (Geraldine, South Canterbury)
  3. Deanne Holdsworth – PACT Group (Nationwide)

Manufacturer of the Year <FTE under 50> - supported by BNZ

  1. The Fairlie Bakehouse (Fairlie, Canterbury)
  2. Lanaco (Auckland)
  3. United Machinists (Dunedin)
  4. Arotec Diagnostics (Hutt Valley, Wellington Region)

Manufacturing Emerging Leader of the Year Award

  1. Tyler Thurston – Free Flow Manufacturing (Auckland)
  2. Andy Reid – Dobson Group (Auckland)
  3. Dmitry Carruthers – Gisborne Engineering (Gisborne)
  4. Oliver Hunt - Medsalv (Christchurch)

Manufacturing Excellence in Process Innovation award – supported by Swell

  1. Lanaco (Auckland)
  2. Architectural Glass Products (Cambridge, Waikato)
  3. Free Flow Manufacturing (Auckland)
  4. Fonterra (Nationwide)

Congratulations to all finalists. We look forward to showcasing your achievements at the EMEX Exhibition at Auckland Showgrounds on Wednesday 27 May, where winners will be officially announced with the Minister for Manufacturing, Hon Cameron Brewer. It will be an opportunity to recognise excellence across the sector and celebrate the people and businesses driving New Zealand manufacturing forward.

For information on the awards programme, contact

Catherine Lye

CEO, AMA

+64-21-636-219

[email protected]