Judges, Sponsors and Supporters of The First New Zealand LGBTI Awards Have Made The Awards A Reality, Says Director Silke Bader
Wednesday 31 October 2018, 1:04PM
By Media PA
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By Ciaran Warner
As the month of November finally arrives and the countdown begins until the big night, Director and MD of the first New Zealand LGBTI Awards Silke Bader is delighted by the enthusiastic responses, passionate support and hard work that has gone into making the inaugural event a reality.
Taking place on November 29th, at the luxurious Cordis Hotel in Auckland, the Awards Ceremony will be a lavish black-tie affair that will see politicians, academics, charity workers and celebrities alike take to the Red Carpet for this celebration of love and equality that is intended, in Silke’s words, “to create visibility and role models for the LGBTI community and celebrate its allies.”
She says she is immensely grateful for the support that the Awards have received, particularly from the panel of judges who have decided the winner for several of the Awards categories, and their sponsors, who consist of a diverse range of businesses unified by their desire to support the message of compassion and diversity that the Awards are promoting.
“My sincere thanks go out to our judges - we have chosen a judging panel of senior leaders who are invested in their workplace and also the wider LGBTI community,” Silke says.
The judges include academics, founders of charities and organisations, and politicians who have in some way contributed to the fight for equality on behalf of the LGBTI community, such as Labour Party member Louisa Wall and National Party member Nikki Kaye.
Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of sponsorship for the New Zealand LGBTI Awards, with nine of the award categories receiving sponsorship from companies such as Amazon, Countdown, Meridian Energy, Crusoe’s Retreat, and more, with the position of headline sponsor claimed by the world’s largest airline itself – American Airlines.
“Our sponsors have all dedicated themselves to ensuring fairness and tolerance in the workplace and have been incredibly supportive of the LGBTI community and its allies. We are delighted to have these organisations backing us,” Silke says.
The Awards will feature drinks, dinner and entertainment, and will feature famous faces such as Tamati Coffey, MC for the evening, Lucy Lawless, Ambassador for the Awards, and the Topp Twins, Jools and Linda, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The shortlist of finalists 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. A number of celebrities are also included, from Kiwi stars such as Lorde and Lucy Lawless, to internationally-known names like Sir Ian McKellan and Hugh Jackman.
A full list of finalists can be seen below.
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
To learn more about the New Zealand LGBTI Awards, or to book tickets, visit them here.
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
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