Shortlisting finalists in Rodney District’s second annual Manaakitanga Awards has proven so difficult the judging panel has been bolstered with an elite line up from the AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism.
Charlotte Cuffe, project manager for the tourism and hospitality awards, says the quality of nominations this year has surpassed expectations.
“We introduced a comprehensive questionnaire this year, and it’s evident that nominees went to considerable effort to submit quality entries making it a tough job selecting finalists,” says Ms Cuffe.
“So as well as our judges from Tourism Auckland and the Slow Food Convivium, we extended our judging panel, and are delighted to have the AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism on board.”
The AUT School of Hospitality and Tourism judges collectively have over 100 years front-line industry experience having managed all varieties of hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and resorts both here and overseas including Scotland, Singapore, Paris, Tokyo, London and Los Angeles.
All senior judges, they have well established reputations in New Zealand and have judged competitions for a large number of hospitality organisations.
Chief Judge and Panel Coordinator, David Williamson, a senior lecturer and programme leader for the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management at AUT University, says the strength of the judging panel reflects the high standard of finalists.
“It was a tough job selecting the finalists and it’s not going to be any easier selecting winners so it will be interesting to see what the public thinks,” says David Williamson.
The process to select winners includes a public voting period from 1 July to 31 August when people can vote as many times as they like for the finalists they believe are the best tourism and hospitality providers in the Rodney District.
There are 61 finalists across the 16 categories, which will be featured in this paper over the coming weeks. For a full list of finalists visit www.hospitalityawards.co.nz
Charlotte Cuffe is encouraging people to visit their favourites or try somewhere new then text their votes through or vote online.
“From last year’s feedback, we knew we had to make it easier for people to vote so this year there is a text option for people to vote during their visit,” she says.
Text votes will cost 20 cents each and details on how to vote will be displayed at all the finalists’ venues and on the website.
For more information please contact:
- Kerri Tait, Acting Project Manager for the Manaakitanga Awards, on 027 733 4728; or
- Rachel Callender, Zest Communications and Marketing, on 027 285 4200.