Aotearoa’s First Finalists Recognised In 2026 Global FM Awards

Two iconic Auckland institutions have been recognised on the global stage as finalists in the 2026 Global FM Awards of Excellence.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's Facilities Services Team and AUT's Estates Group were today announced as finalists, ranking amongst the world's best FM projects and initiatives.

This is the first time New Zealand has been represented in the Global FM Awards finals - a milestone made even more special as FMANZ celebrates 10 years of its own awards programme in 2026.

Both submissions responded to this year's theme, "Cultivating Belonging Through Built Environments", demonstrating how exceptional facilities management creates spaces where people feel safe, included, and valued.

AUT's submission, Building Belonging: AUT's Masterclass in Inclusive Built Environments, tells the story of how the Estates Group transformed a fragmented operation into a world-class integrated function. Standout achievements include lifting student satisfaction from below 70% to 87%, running the most space-efficient university portfolio in New Zealand, and achieving the lowest carbon emissions per m² of any NZ university, with 70%+ of gas boilers replaced by low-carbon alternatives. Remarkably, all of this was delivered with 25% fewer staff than the sector average.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's submission, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki - Cultivating Belonging Through Decarbonised Heritage*, showcases the decarbonisation of the iconic Auckland Art Gallery, a Category I heritage building and the highest energy consumer in their portfolio. Over three years, the Facilities Services Team achieved a 64% carbon reduction, slashed energy intensity from 306 to 206 kWh/m²/year (exceeding international top-quartile benchmarks) and cut natural gas use by 97% - all while keeping the Gallery fully operational and protecting more than 18,000 irreplaceable artworks.

"For the first time, we're celebrating New Zealand finalists in the Global FM Awards," says Jo Duggan, FMANZ CEO. "AUT and Auckland Art Gallery are two of the most well-known institutions in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the capital of the Pacific. Every day, thousands of people pass through their doors for hundreds of different reasons. Each of them is supported by expert teams who are quietly driving health and innovation across these buildings."

The recognition is well-earned, says Duggan. “Rightfully, they are now receiving international recognition for their work. It’s work I am constantly in awe of, and it is fantastic to see it recognised on the world stage. Congratulations to two very well-deserved finalists.”

In 2025, both organisations were recognised at the Ngā Tohu a FMANZ Awards, with AUT’s Estates Group named FM Team of the Year and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki represented through Richard Boyter’s win in the Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award. This national recognition laid the groundwork for their success on the global stage.

The Global FM Awards of Excellence enable GFM members to showcase the achievements of their FM communities to an international audience. Only GFM members may nominate finalists - either from their own national awards programmes or through direct GFM submission.

A full list of the 2026 finalists can be found on the Global FM website: https://www.globalfm.org/awards-3/

Winners will be announced on World FM Day - Wednesday, 13 May 2026.

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