Nominate now - Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui International Student Excellence Awards

Nominate now - Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui International Student Excellence Awards(external link)

The Te Tauihu o Te Waka a Māui International Student Excellence Awards(external link) celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of international students studying across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough, as well as local students and non-students who contribute to their success and wellbeing. Nominations are open for 2026.

Our people are at the heart of NMIT and our Te Tauihu community: It would be wonderful to see some of our awesome NMIT learners, kaimahi and community partners get recognised for their fantastic contributions to internationalisation and the local community.

Nominations are open for 2026:

The award nominations close at the end of September, with an awards ceremony with the Mayor scheduled for October.

Award categories:

• Outstanding Leadership
• Community Engagement Excellence
• Academic Excellence
• Creative Excellence
• Outstanding Achievement in Sports
• International Student Champion (Domestic Student Award)
• International Community Champion
• Supreme Award - Mayor's International Student of the Year Award 

The awards recognise not just international students, but also local students and non-students who contribute to international student success and wellbeing:

• International Student Champion (Domestic Student Award)
• International Community Champion (can be chosen from anyone within Te Tauihu).

Read more about each award category on the awards website(external link).

Nomination process:

Nominations can be made by the student themselves OR by faculty members, peers, community members, international directors or other stakeholders 

Nominators must:

• First, check the student(s)' eligibility for the award criteria
  
  
• Then, seek consent from the student(s) they are nominating to include the student’s personal information, a statement of their achievements, and any supporting documents
  
  
• Complete and submit the online nomination form(external link)
  
  
• You can also self-nominate(external link). 

Nominations close: Friday 25 September 2026 at 5pm

Please share widely: Please share this opportunity to celebrate our students with your networks, and consider who amongst your learners, peers or community partners deserves recognition, and may be eligible under one of the above categories. 

Nominate now: Our people are at the heart of NMIT and our Te Tauihu community, and it would be wonderful to see some of our awesome NMIT learners and kaimahi get recognised for their fantastic contributions to internationalisation and the local community.