09/06/2026
Massive thanks to Arts Murihiku for putting on this celebration of our creative community here in Southland!
It's pretty rough out there and everyone on this list is putting in the hard yards and all deserve the recognition!
Music & Art is alive and well in Invercargill!
FINALISTS🎉 The wait is over!
The finalists for the Southland Creative Arts Awards 2026 have been announced.
A huge congratulations to all our finalists. Your creativity, dedication, and contribution to the arts in Murihiku deserve to be celebrated, and we can't wait to recognise you at this year's awards.
The standard of entries was exceptionally high, and our judges had some incredibly difficult decisions to make. Being nominated is an achievement in itself and a reflection of the impact you have on our creative community.
Check out the full list of finalists below and join us in celebrating the amazing talent that makes Southland's arts scene so special!
Finalists for the Southland Creative Arts Awards 2026 are as follows:
Southland Express Patronage award:
Awarded to a business or sponsor who has consistently supported the arts through support, patronage, collaboration and encouragement.
Stephane Fabre
Nicola McGilvray
Jordan Cossill
Craigs Design & Print
Brent Knight, McCulloch Architects
The Hits Production excellence:
Awarded to an individual who displays excellent dedication and skills in helping bring an artistic endeavour to the public behind the scenes, for example ; producers, production secretaries, arts administrators, stage managers, set and lighting designers and curators.
Tony Parish
Jersey Rhein
DEOW
Chris Herman
Brian Pay
Dwayne Carey
Sono Sound Lifetime Achievement:
Awarded to a person or group who has consistently shared their time, energy, knowledge and skill for the betterment of the Arts in Murihiku.
Darren Ludlow
Maxine Treweek
Phil Geary
Sue Donkin
Steve Gooding
Angela Newell
Leadership in the Arts:
Awarded to an individual who has voluntarily steered groups or individuals to success and has inspired and empowered those around them through leadership, management or administration.
Tania Carran
DEOW
Trinity Waddell
Michelle Lange
Ingrid Campbell
Angela Newell
Southland Arts Society Leadership in Arts Education:
Awarded to an individual, group or institution who displays passionate, innovative and accessible education in the arts.
Reanda Ge**er
Sarah Rae
Out of School Music
Bella Williams
Katherine Buess
Lyn Grove
Emerging talent:
Awarded to an individual Year 9-13 who displays great talent and skill in their field and who is working towards a future in the arts.
Lachie McGregor
Lara Kerr
Olivia Scarlett
Neve Rigg-Rissmann
Elm Marketing Creative Excellence Award:
Awarded to a person or group who has shown skill, creativity, innovation and mastery in their field.
Amber Timpany ART
Brian Johnston
Tahla Ward
Ron Mitchell
Majestic Frog
Community Trust South Community Catalyst Award:
Awarded to a person or group that has made significant contributions to fostering a sense of community and connection within the Murihiku arts scene.
Steph Mac
Mīharo Murihiku Trust Miharo Murihiku
Re:Woven Therapy Charitable Trust
Team at IPAG/ He Waka Tuia
Southern District Arts Trust
Out of School Music
He tohu kia mau ki nga taonga tuku iho:
Awarded to a group or individual who is independently pursuing the reclamation, preservation and celebration of te ao Māori in their practise. Awarded to those who hold onto, maintain and develop those treasures and knowledge handed down from our ancestors.
Danielle Tipuna
Mīharo Murihiku Trust Miharo Murihiku
Tonihi Whanau & Ngā Herenga Waka Kapa Haka
He Wai Apakura - Te Ara Pounamu (The River's Lament - A Pathway of Treasures)
