2025 Award Winners
The CILT NZ Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the people, teams and organisations making a positive contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s transport, logistics and supply chain sectors.
The 2025 awards recognised achievement across a range of areas, from professional excellence and emerging talent through to innovation, leadership and service to the industry. Together, the winners reflect the depth, capability and commitment that continue to strengthen our sector.
CILT NZ warmly congratulates all 2025 award winners and acknowledges the generous support of our award sponsors, whose contribution helps make the awards programme possible.
Academic
MITO/CILT Scholarship
The MITO/CILT Scholarship supports an emerging industry leader who has completed a MITO or Tranzqual qualification and is continuing their professional development.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Sophie Cosgrove, Foodstuffs South Island
Recognised for her commitment to professional development and her leadership impact on driver capability and training.
Applied Industry Research Excellence Award
Introduced by CILT New Zealand in 2025, the Applied Industry Research Excellence Award recognises outstanding postgraduate research with practical relevance to transport, planning, logistics, supply chain and related fields.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipients:
Dr Lahiru Gunasekara
Anh Tuan Pham
Their work highlights the value of applied research in supporting innovation and improvement across the sector.
NZTA Award for Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis
The NZTA Award for Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis recognises excellence in academic research at Masters level, focused on transport, planning, logistics, supply chain or related fields.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Joseph Young
His research highlights the importance of practical, evidence-based thinking in improving transport outcomes for New Zealand.
ead more about Joseph’s research
Communications
CILT Presentation Award
The CILT Presentation Award recognises an engaging and effective presentation on logistics, supply chain or transport, delivered either online or in person.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Adam Prendergast, Foodstuffs South Island
For the transformative delivery of the Skills Based Framework Orientation sessions.
CILT Best Article Award
The CILT Best Article Award recognises an outstanding article or series of articles on supply chain management, logistics or transport.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipients:
Nina Elter and Peter Carr
For their clear and practical analysis of international road-funding models.
Highly Commended CILT Best Article
CILT NZ also congratulates:
Alan Win
Highly Commended in the CILT Best Article Award.
Initiative Awards
Dexion Award for Excellence and Innovation
The Dexion Award for Excellence and Innovation recognises an original project or initiative that addresses an organisational challenge in a unique and practical way.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
TR Group – Hydrogen Trucks
For pioneering New Zealand’s first operational hydrogen truck network and accelerating zero-emission freight.
Napier Port Safety Made Simple Award
The Napier Port Safety Made Simple Award recognises practical and innovative initiatives that improve health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Port of Auckland – Leadership PPE
For its Leadership PPE framework, supported by the Ngā Ringa Haumaru – In Safe Hands programme, strengthening frontline safety leadership in a complex port environment.
Superstar Awards
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award, sponsored by Netlogix recognises an emerging professional under 30 who demonstrates excellence, initiative and the potential to go far within the logistics and transport industry.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Corintho Carpio, Maersk
Honoured for exceptional performance in managing New Zealand’s record reefer export season and demonstrating leadership across equipment and flow management.
With thanks to our award sponsor
TRET Award for Young Achiever of the Year
The TRET Award for Young Achiever of the Year recognises an emerging professional under 35 who is making a significant contribution to transport and logistics in New Zealand.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Shania Rajanayagam, Vitruvius
Recognised for her leadership, professionalism and contribution to major rail, infrastructure and safety assessment projects across New Zealand.
Norman Spencer Memorial Medal
The Norman Spencer Memorial Medal recognises sustained contribution to New Zealand’s transport and logistics sector, alongside meaningful service to CILT NZ.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Kris Lancaster, Foodstuffs South Island
Recognised for his long-standing leadership in supply chain transformation, technology adoption and industry service, including his contribution to CILT’s Southern Section.
Sir Bob Owens Memorial Award
The Sir Bob Owens Memorial Award is the highest honour CILT NZ can bestow, recognising exceptional and sustained contribution to the transport and logistics sector.
CILT NZ congratulates the 2025 recipient:
Fiona Knight
Recognised for more than 30 years of service to CILT NZ, her leadership across the sector, and her enduring commitment to supporting and mentoring others.