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Celebrate Equality! Voting is Underway for the New Zealand LGBTI Awards Finalists

Thursday 2 August 2018, 9:35AM

By Media PA

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Celebrate Equality! Voting is Underway for the New Zealand LGBTI Awards Finalists
Celebrate Equality! Voting is Underway for the New Zealand LGBTI Awards Finalists Credit: Media PA

By Ciaran Warner

The shortlist for the first New Zealand LGBTI Awards has highlighted the most exceptional individuals, businesses and organisations and their contributions to the LGBTI community, both in New Zealand and overseas.

Silke Bader, Director and MD of the New Zealand LGBTI Awards, says the purpose of the awards is to create role models and celebrate people, places and groups who have worked to support and spread the message of tolerance, equality and inclusion.

“We create an Awards Program starting with public nominations to nominate people and organisations who have done work to improve the lives of the LGBTI community. The Nominations create a shortlist across 15 categories including Sport, Politician, Music, Marketing campaign etc. The shortlist is the voted on by the public, and some corporate categories are being decided by our judges,” says Silke.

“Some community categories will be a weighted result; 50% public vote, 50% judges’ choice. In the event of a tie in the community categories, the judges’ decision will be final.” 

The finalists were announced on July 1st, with the votes counted and the winners decided on August 31st. The winner will then be announced at the Awards Ceremony, at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on Thursday November 29th.

“The Gala Dinners are a black-tie dinner including red carpet and a 3-course Gala dinner that includes the Awards Ceremony. The Winners are announced at the awards ceremony,” says Silke.

While many candidates will be familiar faces to New Zealanders, such as politicians like David Seymour, Nikki Kaye and Marilyn Waring, several categories include similarly well-known international icons, such as actors Hugh Jackman and Sir Ian McKellan, along with Kiwi celebrities including singer Lorde, actress Lucy Lawless, and film director Taika Waititi.

The shortlist includes categories for destinations and marketing campaigns as well as businesses and people, and its finalists have an extensive and diverse list of careers and accomplishments, from artists and activists to university lecturers, journalists and even policewomen.

Public voting also began on July 1st – click here to cast your votes!

 

Brand/Marketing Campaign Shortlist

Absolut, Amazon, Countdown, EY, NZME, Quantas, REINZ, Simpson/Grierson, Vector.

Community Initiative/Charity Shortlist

Flash Mob Entertainment, Gag Drag Collective, Promised Land, Qmunity Youth Gisbourne, Rule Foundation, Tiwhanawhana, Tranzaction, the James Wallace Arts Trust, WIPP.

Destination Shortlist

Auckland, Ireland, Las Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Palm Springs, Queenstown, Tasmania, Thailand, Wellington

Hero Shortlist

Bruce Kilmister – CEO at Body Positive Inc.

Dr. J.J. Eldridge – Lecturer

Jennifer Daruwalla – Editor at Outlet magazine

Nevin Godvindasamy – Filmmaker

Nick Winchester – Co-Founder and Mentor at Kindred

Rhona Stace – Senior Prosecutor at NZ Police

Roxy Coervers – Producer, Photographer, Artist

International Icon Shortlist

Conchita – Singer

Faustina Agolley – TV Broadcaster, Actress

Heather Peace – Actress, Musician

Hugh Jackman – Actor

Lea Delaria – Comedian

Magda Szubanski – Writer, Advocate

Ruby Rose – Actress

Sir Ian McKellan – Actor

Tegan and Sara – Pop Duo

Local Icon Shortlist

Aaron Chisholm – Paramedic and MAFS Contestant

Lorde – Singer

Lucy Lawless – Actress

Melanie Bracewell – Comedian

Peter Gordon – Chef

Ricky Devine-White – Activist

Samuel Levi – Fashion Influencer

Taika Waititi – Film Director

Urzila Carlson – Comedian

Media Professional Shortlist

Aziz Al-Sa’afin – Broadcaster

Joanne Carroll – Journalist

Kim Baker Wilson – Journalist

Mike Puru – TV Show Host

Olivia Caldwell – Sports Reporter

Music Artist Shortlist

Alex De Vries – Singer

Anika Moa – Singer

Annea Lockwood – Singer

Charlotte Yates – Singer

Gareth Farr – Singer

Hilary King – Singer

Iris G – Singer

Monique Rhodes – Singer

Noah Slee – Singer

Parson James – Singer

Organisation Shortlist

298 Youth Health Centre, Fletcher Building (Firth’s Rainbow Concrete Truck), Haka Tourism Group, Key Assets, New Zealand Police, Pink Health Otautahi, Rainbow Lifestyle Protection, The Warehouse Group, Weddingmoon Vacations

Politician Shortlist

David Seymour

Louisa Wall

Marilyn Waring

Hon. Nikki Kaye

Sports Personality Shortlist

Benjamin Thomas Watt - Boxing Judge

Blyth Tait MBE – Equestrian

Brad Weber – Rugby Player

Geovana Peres – Boxer

Kate Weatherly – Mountain Biker

Kim Dermott – Football Player

Leilani Tominiko – Wrestler

Takatapui Shortlist

Awa - Filmmaker and Mentor

Dr. Elizabeth Kerekere – Activist and Politician

Grace Falwasser – Activist and Public Speaker

Kevin Haunui – Activist, Sportsman, Events Administrator

Tai Waru – Activist and Entertainer

 

Contact New Zealand LGBTI Awards:
Email: silke@newzealandlgbtiawards.co.nz
Phone: +61 2 8097 0054
Website: http://www.newzealandlgbtiawards.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lgbtiNZ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lgbti_nz
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.nz/newzealandlgbtiawards/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/112187441818861674708
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSbpixysMQ3czoelIgzixGQ
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-zealand-lgbti-awards/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzlgbtiawards/

Contact MediaPA:

Phone: 0274 587 724

Email: phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Website: www.mediapa.co.nz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MediaPA

Twitter: twitter.com/NZ_MediaPA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheMediaPA

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