Categories and Criteria

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in New Zealand Inc. Annual Awards

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in New Zealand Incorporated (CILT) offers awards each year. These celebrate the best of the best in our industry, whether they are emerging leaders or at the pinnacle of their career. It also recognises excellence for special projects and initiatives that showcase best practice. The awards are presented at the Institute’s Annual Awards Dinner which will be held in November this year.

The following general conditions apply to the awards:

• Where, in the opinion of the judges, the required standards are not met for any given award, CILT will not make that award in any particular year.
• Award winners do not necessarily have to be members of CILT, except where stated.

It is important to note the criterion requirements for each award, which will be strictly adhered to. All nominations must be made electronically.

Award Categories

Academic Awards

A1: The MITO/CILT Scholarship

The Scholarship will be presented to an emerging industry leader, who has previously completed a MITO or Tranzqual qualification within the road transport, logistics, ports or stevedoring sectors.  It is intended to assist them with their further professional development.

Judges will be looking for emerging leaders who show a commitment to their professional development.  They may not currently be in a management position but show leadership among their peers.  They should be able to demonstrate how they will manage work commitments with further study.

The award prize is $1,000 towards further study or professional development plus a framed certificate to record the achievement.   Payment will be by re-imbursement of expenses actually incurred up to the limit of the scholarship.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz before 5pm on 18 August 2025.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• Summary of their study with MITO or Tranzqual
• Industry experience
• Intended future professional development
• A statement of support from the nominator or colleagues if possible.

Sponsor: MITO

A2: The Applied Industry Research Excellence Award

The Applied Industry Research Excellence Award, a new award offered by CILT New Zealand, recognises outstanding applied research projects undertaken by postgraduate students enrolled in any New Zealand tertiary institution (e.g. university, polytechnic, or private training providers) as part of their academic program.

Eligible projects must focus on a topic relevant to transport (any mode), urban or regional planning, transport and energy usage or planning, logistics, supply chain or other closely related fields. The project must have been completed between July 2024 and June 2025 to qualify for the 2025 award.

The project submission must be original, innovative, and demonstrate tangible potential to improve specific elements of the chosen field of study. The assessment criteria will be based on clearly defining the problem in the chosen field, providing a transparent and reproducible research methodology, conducting a critical analysis of the results supported by evidence or data, and demonstrating the benefits to the New Zealand economy. Any commercially sensitive project must be brought to the attention of the judging panel to ensure proper evaluation and to protect the confidentiality of the research data.

The two best projects will each receive a cash award (dollars to be announced) and a certificate of achievement. Winners will be required to provide a one-page summary for publication in the CILT magazine in accordance with industry standards and agreement, present the project and its findings to the local CILT section, and attend the CILT Awards Dinner. The financial award covers any costs associated with fulfilling the above requirements.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words  to info@cilt.co.nz before 5pm on 18 August 2025.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• A PDF copy of, or link to, the research 
• The name of the research supervisor
• statement of support from the nominator, the supervisor or other in the industry if possible.

 Sponsor: TR Group

A3: Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis

The Outstanding Research Achievement for a Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis is rewarded for excellence in academic research. The work submitted must form part of work submitted to a New Zealand Tertiary Education provider for a Masters level qualification. It should be on a subject related to transport (any mode), urban planning, transport & energy/planning, logistics, supply chain or other area relevant to the sector.

The research should be a minimum of a quarter of the assessment for that Masters’ qualification and have been completed in the previous academic year (July 2024-June 2025). It must be original, innovative and demonstrate clear potential to improve one or more elements in the chosen field of study. The assessment criteria are similar to a typical academic review plus a section that will evaluate the potential application to the NZ environment and the benefit to the NZ economy. Where the research includes equations and other mathematical elements, the accuracy of these be must be signed off as valid and tested by their supervisor and examiner along with an acceptance of the interpretation that the candidate has placed on their equations relative to the study.

The Award prize is $1,000, plus a certificate to record the accomplishment. The $1,000 prize necessitates a presentation to a local section and a 2-page summary for the CILT magazine. Additionally, attendance at the CILT awards dinner is mandatory. This financial award encompasses expenses related to these specific requirements.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words  to info@cilt.co.nz before 5pm on 18 August 2025..  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• A PDF copy of, or link to, the Masters’ Dissertation or Thesis
• The name of the supervisor
• Statement of support from the nominator, the supervisor or other in the industry if possible.

 Sponsor: To be Named

Communication Awards

B1: CILT Presentation Award

The CILT Presentation Award is made annually for the best presentation on any aspect of Logistics, Supply Chain or Transport, delivered between 1 July and 30 June prior to the Award. The presentation may have been delivered on-line or in person and may be academic or generalist in nature.

Regardless of format, the Judges will be looking for how it:

• took into account the audience it was intended for
• both engaged and educated the audience
• provided adequate context and clarity about the topic
• made good use of the time to present, facilitate (if relevant) and allow for questioning. etc.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• Your own explanation of achievements
• A PDF copy of, or link to, samples of the work
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if possible.

B1: CILT Best Article Award

The CILT Best Article Award is made annually for the best article or series of articles on any aspect of supply chain management, logistics or transport, published between 1 July and 30 June prior to the Award. The term “article” also includes a series of articles and editorial opinions.

Nominations for written articles can be received from editors, publishers, writers or journalists who have published original work about, or relating to, transport, logistics or supply chain management.

Judges will be looking to make sure the presentation:

• took into account the audience it was intended for
• engaged the audience
• educated /expanded the knowledge of the reader
• provided adequate context and clarity about the topic
• analysed the issues and/or opportunities.
• identified options for addressing the issue and/or opportunity including, where appropriate, a way ahead.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• A PDF copy of, or link to, the article
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if desired.

Initiative Awards

B2: Dexion Award for Excellence and Innovation

The Dexion Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Transport and Logistics Sector is for a project or initiative that addresses a challenge faced by an organisation in a unique way.  It includes innovation in action and integrity in relationships.

The nomination must demonstrate the uniqueness of the solution. It is expected to show outside of the box or cutting-edge original thinking, as well as the beneficial impact on the organisation. It must also demonstrate how the solution exceeds current legislative requirements in relation to people, processes, technology or systems.

The Award includes $1000, plus a certificate to record the accomplishment.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• Details of the innovation and its impact
• A PDF copy of, or link to, any articles about the innovation, if any
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if desired.

Sponsor: Dexion

B3: Napier Port  Safety Made Simple Award

The Napier Port Award for Safety Made Simple recognises organisations that implement innovative solutions to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees.

Entries should demonstrate how the initiative exceeds current legislative requirements and may relate to any or all of the following: people and cultural initiatives, changes to processes, practices and systems, technology and / or equipment, policies or any other changes that have proven impacts of the physical and/or psychological safety and wellbeing of its people.

Nominations must provide evidence of full commitment throughout the organisation, in a culture where all staff are able to raise safety and wellbeing issues, a health and safety risk management programme, regular audit reports, and evidence of collaboration with others to achieve the highest levels of health, safety and wellbeing within the organisation. Judging may include a site visit by one of the judges.

The Award includes $1000, plus a certificate to record the accomplishment.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• Description of the initiative and its impact
• A PDF copy of, or link to, any articles or reports about the initiative that can be shared, if desired
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or, affected people or industry colleagues, if desired.

Sponsor: Napier Port

Superstar Awards

B4: Rising Star Award

This award recognises an employee who has not yet been part of management, who embodies the mission of their employer, consistently produces quality work and displays characteristics that are valued by their peers and colleagues as well as managers. They will show the characteristics of someone who will, with more experience and learning, go far within the Logistics and Transport Industry. It is open to anyone who will be under the age of 30 years as at 1st January following the year of nomination.

The winner of this award will have demonstrated consistent excellence in their work tasks, their attitude and behaviour. These include the following:

• Demonstrates excellence on the job
• Good understanding of the technical aspects of their job
• Communicates clearly
• Acts ethically, honestly, thoughtfully
• Demonstrates excellence and innovation in identifying problems/ challenges/ issues and potential solutions in a constructive way such as for health and safety, process improvement, productivity operations activities
• Models high-performance standards to peers
• Goes the extra mile
• Supports co-workers / real team player
• Consistently shows a positive attitude
• Mentors colleagues i.e. shares knowledge and contributes ideas and support

 Demonstrating any of the following attributes will add to the nomination:

• Applies any formal learning they have had
• Thinks of the organisation before themselves
• Gives outstanding customer service where applicable
• Shows significant personal achievement in work or private life.

Nominations should be made by the candidate’s manager and include peer reports from three of their colleagues and clients (where appropriate).

Award prize:  $500 plus a certificate to record the accomplishment.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• An explanation of why this person should receive this award
• A PDF copy of, or link to, any articles to support the entry, if any
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if desired.

Sponsor: Netlogix

C1: TRET Award for Young Achiever of the Year

The TRET Award for Young Achiever of the Year provides an incentive for, and recognition of, individuals who are actively involved in the day-to-day operation and development of transport and/or logistics in New Zealand.  It is open to anyone who will be under the age of 35 years as at 1st January following the year of nomination.  They are expected to have made a discernible contribution to the body of knowledge in their field of specialisation, demonstrated leadership and/or organisational skills of a high order and have proven project or programme implementation skills.

Judges will be looking for demonstrated achievements in their field, a high level of professionalism and potential to reach senior leadership positions in the transport and logistic profession.

The employer or an appropriate professional association must sponsor the nominee for the Award.

The prize is $2,000 to be spent on training and development or a relevant conference, and costs will be refunded on production of receipts. A certificate will be presented to record the accomplishment. The winner will also be invited to join the CILT NZ National Council as a non-voting member for one year.

The award is a trophy to be held for one year, plus a certificate to recognise the achievement.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• An explanation of why this person should receive this award
• A PDF copy of, or link to, any related articles, if any
• Details what training and development the prize will be invested in
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if desired.

Sponsor: the CILT Transport Research and Education Trust

C2: The Norman Spencer Memorial Medal

The Norman Spencer Memorial Award is a memorial to Norman Spencer, the first Chairman of the New Zealand Division of The Chartered Institute of Transport, 1959 – 1962.  The Award is made to recognize contribution over time to the sector as well as contributing in a meaningful way to the activities of the Institute.

Nominations for the Award will be sought by the Council of CILT through its own network of branches and sections. All sections are requested to consider a nomination each year. Self-nominations are also accepted.

The Award will be in the form of a medal which is held until the next recipient is chosen, plus a framed certificate.

To nominate yourself or a colleague for this award please submit an application in your own words to info@cilt.co.nz.  Nominations should include:

• Nominee’s name
• An explanation of why this person should receive this award
• A PDF copy of, or link to, any related articles, if any
• Statement of support from the nominator and/or other industry colleagues, if desired.

C2: Sir Bob Owens Memorial Award

The Sir Bob Owens Memorial Award is a memorial to the late Bob Owens, one of the industry’s most respected leaders.  It is considered the highest honour that CILT NZ can bestow and recognises a person who has contributed to the transport and logistics sector in an exceptional way over a sustained period of time. They will also show a commitment to supporting the career for others and volunteering within the community.

Nominations for the Award will be sought by the National Council of CILT through its own network of branches and sections. Nominations are to be supported by full details of the nominee’s achievements, contributions to community and experience. Self-nominations are not permitted.

The award is in the form of a trophy to be held for a year, plus a medal marking the achievement.