Guardians Of Aotearoa’s Spaces - Meet The 2026 FMANZ Awards Finalists

Across Aotearoa, dedicated facilities professionals are doing the mahi, quietly caring for the buildings and places that keep our communities thriving.

Every day, they look after billions of dollars’ worth of vital assets and the millions of New Zealanders who use them. They’re the backbone of our built environment - the custodians ensuring the spaces we live, work, and gather in are safe, sustainable, and welcoming. And now, it’s time to celebrate them.

The Facilities Management Association of New Zealand (FMANZ) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Ngā Tohu a FMANZ Awards – prestigious honours recognising the individuals, teams, and service providers shaping the future of facilities management in Aotearoa.

From innovation and care to accountability and action, this year’s finalists embody the values driving both the profession and the thriving, effective places they help create.

Awards committee chair Vanessa Powell says this year’s nominations highlight the growing depth and diversity of talent across the profession, with several categories seeing a notable increase in submissions.

“It’s fantastic to see such a strong field of nominations this year, particularly the growth in categories recognising regional facilities and emerging professionals. It reflects how broad, inclusive and vital the profession has become. The diversity and quality of submissions really showcase the depth of expertise and innovation thriving across Aotearoa’s facilities management sector,” says Vanessa.

Since launching in 2016, the Awards have continued to evolve with new categories, specialist judges, and an interview stage to ensure a rigorous and representative process. This year marks another milestone - opening nominations to the wider FM community - underscoring the profession’s expanding reach and influence across Aotearoa’s built environment. Over the years, the humble stories shared by award winners, delivered with such depth and heart, have been truly inspirational, serving as a good reminder of the personal passion driving our profession forward.

Having been involved with the Awards for the past six years, Vanessa notes a growing trend: a rise in data-driven submissions.

“Many nominations this year demonstrate clear, measurable results, whether in sustainability outcomes, cost efficiencies, collaboration, or improving user experiences within the spaces our members manage daily. It’s a powerful illustration of FM’s impact across Aotearoa’s built environment. The judges are now looking forward to finalist interviews before we bring the community together to celebrate these achievements at ‘Our Day of Celebration’,” adds Vanessa.

FMANZ CEO Jo Duggan reflects on the relevance of the Awards amid today’s challenges.

“The world is noisy right now. There's disruption. There’s uncertainty. And when the world is unsettled, the places where people feel safe, where people can spend time together, where people can thrive, matter more than ever.

Jo says that’s exactly why the Awards hold such meaning for the profession.

“That’s why, in these times, it’s so important to take a moment to recognise and celebrate the people and places making a real difference. Our Awards programme reflects the growing importance of the facilities management profession, and the strength of the talent coming through. It’s something special to see these Awards continue to stand on their own, grounded in the value and impact of our sector.”

Returning for the second year as a stand-alone event within a full-day experience, Our Day of Celebration offers a curated opportunity to honour FM excellence. Highlights include exclusive Behind-the-Spaces tours of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) and Auckland Art Gallery, plus the inspiring Tohu Talks session featuring last year’s award winners - Angela Yannakis PFMANZ, FM of the Year, and Jason Happy and David Curry from AUT’s Estates Group, 2025 Team of the Year.

Ngā Tohu a FMANZ Awards 2026 Finalists

Brian Happy Award for Facilities Manager of the Year | Te Tohu o Brian Happy Kaiwhakahaere Whakaurunga o te Tau

This award honours a facilities management professional whose expertise, results, and inspiring personal qualities make a significant impact within their organisation.

Our 2026 finalists:

Ciaran Cooper, Asset & Facilities Management Team Leader, Dunedin City Council

Karl Beaufort PFMANZ, Head of Facilities Services, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Samantha Martin PFMANZ, Manager Facilities Services, Rotorua Lakes Council

Emerging Facilities Management Professional of the Year Award | Te Ringa Ngaio Maea ki FM o te Tau

Through this award, we recognise a newcomer to FM whose passion, dedication, and drive to learn and grow inspire others in the industry.

This year’s finalists are:

Amy Johnson AFMANZ, Property Helpdesk Team Leader, Hato Hone St John

Ben Hosking PFMANZ, Facility Manager - NZICC & Horizon Hotel, SkyCity

Lana MacLean AFMANZ, Facilities & Asset Manager, Nurse Maude

Facilities Management Team of the Year Award | Te Ranga FM o te Tau

This award celebrates a team whose expertise, collaboration, and commitment to excellence deliver outstanding results, inspiring those around them.

Congratulations to this year’s finalists:

Haumaru Housing Limited Partnership Facilities Management Team

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Facilities Services Team

Te Toi Mahana Facilities Management Team

Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award | Te Tohu Whakaaweawe Whakauke me te Taiao

This is an award that honours individuals and teams driving positive social, environmental, and economic change within the FM industry and their communities.

Our 2026 finalists are:

James Rogers, Senior Building Advisor, Ministry of Justice

Property Capital Forward Works Program Team - Department of Internal Affairs Property Division

Ventia Auckland Council Team

Service Provider of the Year Award | Te Kaiwhakawhiwhi Ratonga o te Tau

This award recognises exceptional contracted FM services, celebrating those who deliver outstanding support and positively impact the organisations and communities they serve. We are thrilled to honour their remarkable contributions.

Vying for the 2026 title are:

JT Group

TESTntel

Total Group

FMANZ warmly congratulates all finalists. We look forward to celebrating their achievements - alongside the winners - at the dedicated awards evening on Thursday, 28 May, at Q Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. For more details and tickets, visit: https://www.fmawards.org/

A special thank you also to everyone who submitted nominations but didn’t progress this time. Your dedication, effort, and commitment to excellence in the FM industry are valued and appreciated.

© Scoop Media