Introducing The 30 Viva Beauty Awards Winners 2025, As Voted For By You
'Bigger, better and more beautiful than ever' was the tagline attached to this year's Viva Beauty Awards.
And they were.
Presented by Glow Lab, this year's Viva Beauty Awards received an overwhelming number of votes – no small feat considering the new timeframe for the awards meant we had little over six months between our inaugural launch to roll out the second instalment.
Our mission has always been clear: to celebrate the people, products and processes that have made a significant impact on our local beauty industry. From the time-honoured classics to the next generation of category disruptors, the Viva Beauty Awards are a reflection of the best in the business of beauty.
From high-performance skincare to suit every stage of life, through to signature scents that defy convention, this year's cohort of skin, body, hair, fragrance and makeup heroes look set to transform beauty rotations with their impressive formulas, modern textures and innovative blend of active ingredients.
We were blown away by the industry's response when nominations opened on May 2, with hundreds of entries across the two-week nomination period.
Our six expert judges had their work cut out to narrow down the finalists before we handed the baton over to you – our valued Viva readers – to crown the winners.
In some cases, the difference between winner and runner-up came down to only a handful of votes – a few categories were incredibly close.
To everyone who took the time to craft a nomination, sat on our judging panel, or cast their all-important vote at Viva.co.nz: thank you. These awards would not be possible without you.
Without further ado, discover all 30 winners from this year's Viva Beauty Awards below.
Brand Founder Of The Year
Winner: Emma Lewisham
Massive congratulations for Emma Lewisham, who has been crowned the Brand Founder Of The Year in the Viva Beauty Awards for the second year running. The entrepreneur and founder of her eponymous beauty brand has had another stellar year in business, continuing to expand her reach in global markets spanning Australasia, the United States and Britain with her selection of evidence-backed, plant-based skincare. Emma continues to push the limits of possibility when it comes to formulations that are active yet natural, including the December 2024 SPF relaunch, which was eight years in the making. Unlike other SPF formulations, the Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF50 Mineral Face Creme was formulated to comply with strict Therapeutic Goods Administration and Food and Drug Administration certifications. It bridges the gap between sun protection and skincare by providing broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection with 20% zinc oxide while boosting skin longevity with ingredients that target collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis within the skin. Not to mention the sensorial element – a subtly tinted formulation that absorbs quickly into skin and won't leave a white cast (a tough ask for many mineral-based SPFs). This launch paved the way for two others to follow – an SPF 50 Mineral Body Creme and SPF50 Mineral Glow Serum, which was launched at Australian Fashion Week on the Beare Park runway last month.
New Zealand Beauty Brand Of The Year
Winner: Pure Mama
Four years ago, frustrated by the lack of high-quality, pregnancy-safe products to help nurture her growing bump during her first pregnancy, Lara Christie sought to create her own. What culminated was Pure Mama and its line of pregnancy skincare, designed to help nourish expectant parents from their first trimester through to post-partum and beyond. Together with sister Yasmin Shepherd, Papamoa-based Lara has been dutifully building the brand, cementing partnerships locally with independent retailers and day spas including The Facialist and Hana, before expanding into the US with retailers including Erewhon, Nordstrom, Macy's, Revolve and Goop. Pure Mama's first-ever product, a belly and body oil, remains a best-seller today and gained the brand international attention when Kourtney Kardashian publicly endorsed the brand on her website, Poosh. In 2023, Pure Mama became one of the first brands Mecca onboarded to help establish its new Family Wellness pillar. Products aside, Pure Mama has used its social media platforms as a catalyst for change, fostering important conversations around pregnancy, surrogacy, adoption and birth.
Runner-up: Emma Lewisham
Innovation Award
Winner: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Few SPF products have amassed a cult following quite like La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+, so it was with much surprise that the brand revealed it was reformulating the best-seller. The reimagined take on the original included an innovative new filter that targets longer wavelengths of UVA rays (which sit between 380 and 400 nanometres). Turns out, these longer wavelengths are the ones to be wary of, considering the depth at which they penetrate the epidermis can lead to free radical damage that impacts the skin's collagen stores and stimulates its pigment production, leading to sagging, wrinkling or dark spots. In response, La Roche-Posay carefully developed a filter, named Mexoryl 400, across 10 years to help defend against such rays. La Roche-Posay's patented technology launched across Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and South Africa in 2022, but only landed on our shores in late October 2024.
Sustainability Award
Winner: Ecostore
Since 1993, Ecostore has been delivering its eco-friendly range of household cleaning products, laundry, body care, skincare, baby care and oral care to the world. Founders Malcolm and Melanie Rands wanted to extend their personal mission of living a clean, green lifestyle to all by building a range of refillable personal care and household products that were efficacious, but without any unnecessary chemical ingredients. What started with an Auckland-based flagship store in 1997 quickly expanded into supermarkets across the motu, before going global with launches in Australia and across Asia. The brand changed hands in 2013 and is now under the stewardship of Pablo Kraus, who steered it towards refreshed packaging crafted from renewable sugarcane, which promises a lower carbon footprint, not to mention being 100% recyclable. There are almost too many milestones to name across Ecostore's 32-year history – plastic return programmes, in-supermarket refill stations, and B Corp certifications included. Today, Ecostore products continue to be manufactured in Aotearoa at the brand's Toitu Net Carbonzero facility.
Runner-up: Emma Lewisham
Breakthrough Brand Of The Year
Winner: Noody
It's hard to miss Noody on the shelf, what with its brightly hued illustrations of characters dancing and cartwheeling their way off the tube. The all-natural children's skincare line is the second range founded by holistic skin expert Ashleigh Scott and husband Scott Glacken, following in the footsteps of The Facialist's efficacious selection of cleansers, serums, moisturisers and more. Noody first launched at the end of 2023 with a tight edit of three products that had been tested on Ashleigh and Scott's children to ensure safety and efficacy in treating skin conditions like eczema or sensitivity. Each plant-powered formulation harnesses the best of New Zealand native ingredients and prebiotics to make skin health top priority, soothing itchiness, irritation and redness – all without the need for steroids. The most recent addition to the range is Bedtime Bestie, a sleep support spray that can be applied to feet or backs to help lull little ones to sleep.
Runner-up: Milou Beauty
Makeup Artist Of The Year
Winner: Gabrielle Houghton
To say Gabrielle Houghton is booked and busy would be an understatement. The Hamilton-based makeup artist and educator specialises in luxury and destination weddings, often winging her way around the world to make over brides for one of the cornerstone moments of their lives. When she's not wielding a makeup brush at some of the world's most glamorous wedding destinations, she's bringing up the next generation of budding artists at the GH Makeup Academy with two intakes of four students annually to ensure quality of care and tailored feedback. More than just a masterclass, Gabrielle offers mentorship programmes and social media coaching modules to ensure budding artists are provided with all the tools they need to establish a successful career in the industry. And with more than a decade in the industry, she's developed long-standing relationships with her loyal clientele, having created makeup looks for special occasions, editorials, events, runway shows and more.
Runner-up: Sarika Patel
Hairstylist Of The Year
Winner: Lauren Gunn, Colleen
It seems only fitting to celebrate award-winning hairstylist Lauren Gunn as she prepares for the 10th anniversary of her Karangahape Rd salon, Colleen. In just shy of a decade, she's built a loyal clientele and attracted some of the city's top hairstyling talent to work alongside her at the basin, including fellow Hairstylist Of The Year 2025 nominee Sean Mahoney. She's worked on countless fashion campaigns and magazine editorials over the years (including an ultra-bright, Barbie-themed shoot in Viva with former fashion editor and creative director Dan Ahwa in 2023). Not only is Lauren known for her professionalism, creativity and technical execution, she's also one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. If you've had the pleasure of working with Lauren or been lucky enough to sit in her chair, it's likely not an experience you'll forget in a hurry.
Beauty Therapist Of The Year
Winner: Jordi Brooks, Caci
She's been the shining star at Caci's Palmerston North clinic for more than nine years and now Jordi Brooks has taken out the top spot as Beauty Therapist Of The Year. Caci recognised Jordi's talent from more than 400 team members nationwide, nominating her in this year's Viva Beauty Awards for performing 2500 treatments in the last year alone (250 of which were advanced skin treatments). Her ongoing commitment to excellence in-clinic has seen her earn a net promoter score of 97 out of 100 (a measure of success conducted by Caci that factors in client feedback and satisfaction). 'Jordi consistently acts in the best interest of her clients by prioritising their needs, understanding their goals, and providing tailored solutions that align with their long-term skin care needs,' her nomination read. 'She takes the time to listen carefully to each customer's concerns, ensuring a deep understanding of their skincare goals and concerns. By offering honest, sound advice, Jordi helps customers make the right decisions that are best suited to their specific skincare journey.'
Best Base Product
Winner: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
It's long been a makeup artist favourite and for good reason, Estee Lauder's cult-favourite foundation helps to even out skin tone and conceal imperfections with its buildable, medium-to-full coverage formulation that stays in place for up to 24 hours continuous wear. It's resistant to sweat, heat and humidity, promising a matte finish but without caking, streaking or settling into fine lines or pores. The best part? It's available in 60 shades in three different undertones (cool, neutral and warm), and is said to not appear ashy or grey on deep skin tones.
Best Pop Of Colour
Winner: Ashley & Co. Tint Me Lip Punch With Pink Beet
A wash of pink can brighten up even the most grey winter days, and New Zealand beauty brand Ashley & Co. promises just that with its beeswax-based Tint Me Lip Punch. It's coloured with a hint of pink beet to lend a perfectly pinky tint to lips, while a blend of plant-based oils and flower extracts helps to nourish and hydrate pouts. Plus, it's subtly scented with a blend of vanilla, orange blossom, mandarin peel, citrus oil and almond to elevate the experience of smoothing on the balmy formula even further.
Best In Glow
Winner: MCo Beauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops
Last year, Drunk Elephant's D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops was awarded runner-up in this category and now its dupe has won this year. Viral dupe brand MCo Beauty continues to democratise beauty by offering similar formulations to the original at a more accessible price point, which includes these Super Glow Bronzing Drops that lend a warm bronze tint to complexions. The multi-purpose skin tint can be worn over bare skin for a healthy glow or under makeup to help create a glowing canvas for the makeup steps to follow. Either way, we're happy to have saved some hard-earned cash in the process.
Best For Lips
Winner: Pure Fiji Lip Balm
Pure Fiji has always done an excellent job of highlighting the unique ingredients found in the tropical island paradise, including dilo oil, which features heavily throughout the brand's range of scented body care. Its Lip Balm is no different – it contains a cocktail of coconut milk, dilo oil, macadamia oil, castor oil and beeswax to help hydrate and restore lips, leaving them feeling soft, comfortable and nourished once more. The fatty acids contained within these oils are known to help regenerate or repair dry or damaged lips, making it a must to smooth on during the drying winter months.
Best For Lashes Or Brows
Winner: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
Taking out the top spot for the second year running is Maybelline New York's viral mascara, which is renowned for sending lashes skyward with its lengthening and volumising formula. The unique flex tower wand helps reach even the smallest lashes, promising even distribution of the bamboo extract-infused fibres from root to tip. Lashes appear full and fanned out, without flaking or smudging.
Best For Cleansing
Winner: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This wallet-friendly cleanser was awarded as runner-up in the Best For Cleansing category last year, so it's exciting to see CeraVe take out the top spot in 2025. The drug store favourite shines brightest during the second cleanse, helping to cleanse and hydrate skin all without interrupting the skin's delicate moisture barrier. It does so thanks to MVE technology, which helps maintain hydration levels in the skin for up to 24 hours (yes, please). The non-foaming formula is brimming with a blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which attract moisture to the skin's surface and keep it there.
Best For Hydration
Winner: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
A cure-all for cuticles, cracked, chapped or chafing skin, this multi-purpose hydrator helps to soothe a multitude of skin ailments. The therapeutic cream is said to offer relief from common skin conditions, including dermatitis and eczema, by supporting the natural skin barrier and locking in hydration. It does so thanks to key ingredients, including glycerin, centella asiatica, panthenol and shea butter, which work to restore and replenish thirsty skin.
Best For Overnight
Winner: CeraVe Renewing Night Cream
The chemist brands continue their reign with CeraVe's regenerating night cream crowned the Best For Overnight. As with all products in the CeraVe range, this one is formulated with three essential ceramides and a peptide complex to help refresh a tired-looking complexion as you slumber, leaving it plump and firm-looking by morning. It harnesses the brand's MVE technology to support healthy moisture levels in the skin for 24 hours, alongside hyaluronic acid for barrier support and niacinamide to reduce redness.
Best For Mature Skin
Winner: Antipodes Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream
It's one of the newest products to land on shelves from New Zealand natural skincare brand Antipodes, but it's something the category has needed for some time. Formulated with the unique needs of menopausal skin in mind, this facial cream helps alleviate visible signs associated with menopause, including redness, severe dehydration, hormonal blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles. Designed to follow women from perimenopause to postmenopause, the hormone-free cream is formulated with known anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients, like organic oat extract and manuka honey, alongside peptides, fermented jasmine flowers and New Zealand avocado oil to envelop skin in silky, cooling moisture.
Best SPF
Winner: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Okay, we lied. There aren't 30 people, products or brands on this list – technically, there's only 29, because this clinically-proven sunscreen appears twice. It took out the top spot for the Innovation Award, but was also voted as the Best SPF for its dermatologically-tested formulation that's also non-greasy, suitable for sensitive skin and won't leave a white cast in its wake. The shake to activate technology helps dispense freshly blended invisible fluid every time, which is crafted with La Roche-Posay's signature Thermal Spring Water to help nourish skin, while protecting against the various wavelengths of UVA and UVB rays. Powered by Mexoryl 400, it helps defend against deep cell damage, prevent DNA lesions and pigmentation.
Best Shampoo & Conditioner Duo
Winner: CZE Hair Silk Wash & Silk Condition
Two cornerstone products in CZE Hair's selection of Trico-Dermis beauty include Silk Wash and Silk Condition, the shampoo and conditioner duo that work double duty to strengthen and nourish hair. Silk Wash is enriched with a blend of vitamins and antioxidants that promote scalp and hair health – gently cleansing the scalp while strengthening and fortifying dry or damaged hair. Its companion product, Silk Condition, offers mid-lengths and ends a dose of nutrients and hydration to leave hair soft, silky and manageable.
Runner-up: L'Oreal Professionel Metal Detox range
Best For Your Scalp
Winner: Kerastase Genesis Serum
Weak, dry or damaged strands have met their match with Kerastase's anti-hair-fall serum, designed to help anchor hair at the scalp for minimised breakage or shedding while boosting hair health. The jelly-esque formula is enriched with aminexil, edelweiss native cells and ginger root to foster an optimum environment for hair growth, and is said to work its magic in as little as six weeks of continued use. It's also suitable for use on all hair types.
Best Hairstyling Product Or Treatment
Winner: Kerastase Nutritive 8H Night Repair Serum
Another gold for Kerastase, recognised as the top hairstyling product or treatment for its Nutritive 8H Night Repair Serum. It's a fan favourite for a reason: smooth on this nourishing overnight hair serum before you sleep and allow the blend of iris root extract, niacinamide and five vitamins to help reverse daytime depletion. Not only will it detangle hair and boost manageability, but the hydrating formula penetrates deep within the hair fibre to restore hair to its soft, hydrated best over an eight-hour period.
Best Hair Tool To Try
Winner: Dyson Airstrait
Rather than use extreme heat to tame strands, Dyson harnesses powerful, directional airflow to smooth hair – taking it from wet to naturally straight without compromising hair health. The Airstrait projects air downwards at a 45-degree angle, creating the tension needed to straighten hair leaving it smooth and shiny, with ample volume but zero frizz or flyaways. It's equally effective when used to refresh dry hair, helping straighten strands but keeping hair strength and colour intact.
Runner-up: GHD Chronos Max
Best Body Wash
Winner: Pure Fiji Shower Gel
Pure Fiji's selection of Shower Gels pair coconut milk with one of nine infusions – ranging from the moreish coconut milk and honey through to the zesty citrus of coconut lime blossom. Every pump bottle is loaded with natural coconut and sugar cane to gently cleanse the body, while skin-loving oils leave skin hydrated and nourished – never stripped or dry.
Best Body Moisturiser
Winner: Pure Fiji Hydrating Body Lotion
It's a three-peat for Pure Fiji, which also takes out the top prize for its Hydrating Body Lotion in the Best Body Moisturiser category. In the same way that Pure Fiji's Shower Gel is available in a suite of infusions so, too, are its hydrating lotions. The award-winning formulation combines fresh coconut milk with cold-pressed virgin coconut, dilo, sikeci and macadamia oil with hyaluronic acid to not only leave skin hydrated, but boost firmness, elasticity and improve skin texture.
Best For Hands And Nails
Winner: Ashley & Co. Soothe Tube in Gone Green
Treat hands on the go with Ashley & Co.'s non-greasy, no-nasties cream. It's brimming with essential oils, including organic borage oil, shea butter and camomile extract to help restore and soften dry or dehydrated hands and cuticles. The gently scented cream is fragranced with black tea, elemi, cedarwood, lemon citrus, patchouli and more, which lingers lightly on skin after application.
Runner-up: Ecostore Vanilla Bean & Coconut Handwash
Best Signature Scent
Winner: Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne
It's the scent synonymous with pear orchards in springtime, and now Jo Malone London's iconic cologne is officially top of our list. The timeless floral highlights top notes of luscious King William pear, a floral heart of white freesia and rose, with rich, sensual base notes of quince, rhubarb, patchouli, amber and white musk. Not to mention it's perfect for layering with a fragrance from Jo Malone London's wardrobe of scents – Viva loves it paired with Peony & Blush Suede for a warming, floral element.
Runner-up: YSL Black Opium EDP
Best Home Fragrance Scent
Winner: Diptyque Baies Candle
It's easy to see why Diptyque's Baies Candle has been welcomed into Mecca's Hall Of Fame – the iconic home fragrance scent is a timeless take on berry with its juicy blend of vine-ripened blackcurrant berries and roses in bloom. It's available in five different sizes depending on the room you're scenting – a miniature 70g votive for small spaces, through to a 1.5kg extra large vessel with considerable scent throw. Baies has received more than 500 five-star reviews on Mecca's e-commerce site and the classic 190g size is often sold out in-store.
Best Supermarket Buy
Winner: Glow Lab Coconut & Sandalwood Body Wash
Glow Lab's soothing blend of coconut and sandalwood has taken out the Best Supermarket Buy category for the second year in a row. This cosseting body wash is proving a go-to for busy household shoppers to add to cart during their milk and bread run. It's affordable yet effective – the New Zealand-made formulation contains shea butter and essential oils to hydrate and nourish, pro-vitamin B5 and betaine to strengthen the skin barrier, while vitamin E and argan oil defend against environmental damage, leaving skin soft and supple.
Best For Your Handbag
Winner: Burt's Bees Lip Balm in Strawberry Lemonade
This category was easily the broadest of all, with a number of nominations spanning protein bars and facial sprays through to hand creams and lip balms. Burt's Bees was awarded for its strawberry lemonade-flavoured lip balm, which contains the brand's signature beeswax formula, said to moisturise and soften lips with just one swipe. Its summer-ready scent offers the perfect dose of escapism on grey winter days, too.
Best In Wellbeing
Winner: Pure Mama Magnesium Body Rub
It's the peppermint-scented body rub that recently earned its spot on Goop's Wellness Edit, and now Pure Mama's Magnesium Body Rub has officially been crowned as the Best In Wellbeing on our list, too. Despite its moniker, the physio-approved formulation isn't solely reserved for aches and pains linked to pregnancy, but can be used by anyone to alleviate discomfort, aid muscle relaxation, support skin suppleness and promote deep sleep. It does so with its blend of magnesium and SyriCalm, and can be easily massaged into skin to ease cramping, carpel tunnel, joint pain or muscle tension.
CREDITS
Photographer | Guy Coombes
Fashion and creative director | Dan Ahwa
Beauty editor | Ashleigh Cometti
Hair and makeup | Leisa Welch
Models | Shangdi Sun and Alaina Grainger from Unique Models; Yali Cottan from Super MGMT.
With special thanks to Season Gallery.
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NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Viva Wine Awards: NZ's Top 50 Wineries For 2025
Viva's NZ Wine Awards are back for another year. Wine editor Dr Jo Burzynska selects New Zealand's 50 most exciting wineries for 2025, and awards some special categories, including best for sauvignon blanc, best for the budget-conscious and best new winery. A WORD FROM OUR WINE EDITOR It's been another thrilling year for wine drinkers in Aotearoa. If anyone thought the country was just a producer of generic sauvignon blanc made by big players, this list proves the opposite. Sauvignon blanc has never encompassed so many exciting expressions, while our wineries are also making world-beating pinot noir, as well as distinctive versions of a growing range of other cool climate-suited varieties. It's the smaller wineries who are currently driving much of the interest. As some don't yet export, only lucky us get to drink here in New Zealand. Many of these don't own their own vineyards. However, an exciting trend evident from this year's winners is the growing focus of wineries in making distinctive wines from interesting single vineyards. Organic producers again make up the majority of the most thrilling – a choice many have made as best for quality, as well as for health and the planet. It's not been such a thrilling year for our wineries, however. While the last couple of vintages have been far easier than the tough 2023 vintage in many regions, the climate that's currently hurting our wineries is the economic one. Exports are down, while New Zealanders are drinking less wine year on year. The country's total wine sales are down by around 8% to the lowest level in the past two decades. Combine this with cost and excise increases that are eroding wineries' profitability, and New Zealand wineries are having it tough. We can assist here at home by choosing to drink our excellent homegrown wines. In my second story for this year's awards, published tomorrow, I've recommended one from each of my Top 50 wineries that is representative of what's so thrilling about that winery, and has particularly impressed. This year, Viva's most thrilling 50 wineries is adopting a slightly different format. I have once again selected a supreme winner, whose wines and approach have really stood out to me over the last 12 months. However, the main list is now split into Contemporary Classics (the longer established wineries), and New Wave Winners, comprising more recently launched enterprises. If you like sparkling, sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot noir, structured reds, natural wines or budget buys, the category winners highlight wineries worth exploring. My selection also celebrates longevity in the wine business through the lifetime achievement award, and the most exciting new winery to watch in the year ahead. Deeply interesting and expressive wines, created with a spirit of considered innovation and collaboration, make Prophet's Rock Viva's very deserving Winery of the Year. At this Central Otago estate, winemaker Paul Pujol combines the best of Old World nous with New World innovation. Paul's approach is rooted in his formative years making wine in France. As well as working in Burgundy and Sancerre, he was the first non-family winemaker at Alsace's respected Domaine Kuentz-Bas since its founding in 1795. This experience instilled a focus on texture and age-worthiness, principles he now applies when making Prophet's Rock wines in the distinctive terroir of Central Otago. 'I was enamoured by the texture of Alsace wines,' Paul notes, a preference evident across his range. Unlike many New Zealand aromatic white wines, at Prophet's Rock these undergo a long, slow fermentation and rest on their yeast lees until the following harvest, with a further year of bottle age before release. This patient process builds complexity and Prophet's Rock's hallmark textural richness. This Alsatian influence is most apparent in his dry Pinot Gris, a contender for the country's finest. Where many local examples are simple and fruity, Pujol crafts a wine of serious intention and intensity. As he explains, Central Otago's dry, rain-shadowed climate allows the grapes to achieve full ripeness while retaining crucial acidity, resulting in a wine of impressive structure, freshness and flavour that I wager will convert any gris sceptics. While Alsace has helped shape Prophet's Rock's aromatic white wines, Burgundy has informed its chardonnay and pinot noir. This connection has been deepened through a significant collaboration with François Millet, the respected former winemaker of Burgundy's Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé. Their partnership has produced the Cuvée Aux Antipodes, a chardonnay and pinot noir that merge the philosophies of two hemispheres. The resulting pinot noir is a wine of great elegance and structure, reflecting both its Central Otago origins and its Burgundian inspiration. Paul's influences may be European but in his dedication to making wines that express where they're grown, Prophet's Rock's wines are vivid expressions of Central Otago terroir. This terroir is specifically that of the winery's estate vineyards, farmed organically for the most transparent expression of their three distinct sites. Its first Home vineyard was established between 1999 and 2000, high above the Bendigo Station Homestead on a rare combination of schist, quartz, clay and chalk. In southern Bendigo, its stony Rocky Point Vineyard has some of the steepest slopes in Central, while the Kopuwai Delta Vineyard overlooking the Clutha River adds loess, alluvium and river stones into the mix. For all its classical foundations, Prophet's Rock is not afraid to push boundaries. Pujol's experimental side is visible in Prophet's Rock's rare New Zealand Vin de Paille. Describing it as 'ancient wine style in modern hands', pinot gris grapes are dried in a barn before being fermented into luscious sweet wine. Pujol has also applied a fine-wine lens to creating vermouths in collaboration with Scapegrace distillers to create stunning aromatised wines with surprising complexity. It is this combination, knowledge of tradition and a quiet willingness to innovate, of Old World training and a sensitivity to Central Otago's terrain, that makes Prophet's Rock so significant. Prophet's Rock offers not just exceptional wines, but has a scope and focus that makes it a beacon for the direction of New Zealand wine. Top drop: Prophet's Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris 2023, $40 A drier, intense and complex style of pinot gris fermented in old neutral French oak. Its fresh and textural palate of ripe and pure quince, apple and white peach fruit is spiced with cinnamon and perfumed with florals. I was lucky to try the 2009 vintage of this wine recently, which had become delicously spicy and savoury with age, while still retaining its freshness and bright apple fruit. This is a wine that will also age beautifully over 10 or even more years. Contemporary Classics These are well-established wineries that have been delighting drinkers for 15 years or more. Rather than resting on their laurels, they have continued to develop and innovate. Listed in alphabetical order. ASTROLABE Marlborough Family-run and managed, Astrolabe crafts pure and precise wines from its organic home vineyard and diverse Marlborough grower sites. Under veteran winemaker Simon Waghorn, its commitment to terroir shines through, delivering wines that continue to captivate from across Marlborough. It is a pioneer in its most southerly Kēkerengu Coast subregion and I've been loving Astrolabe's distinctive expressions from these limestone soils. ATA RANGI Martinborough Under the sensitive guidance of winemaker Helen Masters, this historic Martinborough winery continues to craft some of the most compelling wines in the country. These are now made from 14 vineyards, which include its 1980 home block, as well as diverse grower sites, which produce distinctive expressions of pinot noir from across this classic New Zealand region. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for structured reds BILANCIA Hawke's Bay Warren Gibson, who's also chief winemaker at Trinity Hill, and partner Lorraine Leheny have been exploring notable single vineyard sites across Hawke's Bay. The result is a growing portfolio of distinctive chardonnay and syrah. This year, Viva celebrates their compelling red releases, which include the glorious return of a 2024 La Collina: Bilancia's, and arguably the country's, fragrant flagship syrah, absent for the previous two vintages. Made from their steep home vineyard, La Collina now joins other Bilancia syrahs that include the powerful and concentrated Trelinnoe Syrah, sourced from a vineyard across the hill, which spends longer mellowing in oak. Such site-specific syrahs, each with its own character and approach, highlight Bilancia's dedication to crafting reds of depth and refinement. Their ability to navigate challenging vintages, as seen in previous years, further underscores their commitment to quality. BLACK ESTATE North Canterbury Since the Naish family purchased their Home Vineyard in 2007, and with Nicolas Brown at the winemaking helm, Black Estate has established itself as one of the most consistently engaging wineries of Waipara, and Aotearoa. The three vineyards that now make up the estate are farmed organically, biodynamically and regeneratively, which, combined with Brown's sensitive winemaking, result in truly compelling releases. CAMBRIDGE ROAD Martinborough From its organic and biodynamically managed home vineyard base on the classic Martinborough Terrace, unconventional winemaker Lance Redgwell is always experimenting. This includes making his minimal intervention and additive-free wines using barrels made with native timber rather than just the French oak that dominates New Zealand wine. His intriguing range, made from three sites across Martinborough, includes the addition of new Rhône whites bearing impressive fruits from Cambridge Road's home vineyard. CHURTON Marlborough If New Zealand had Grand Cru vineyards, Churton's family-owned organic and biodynamically farmed hillside site in the Waihopai Valley would certainly be one of these. With a three-decade history, its wines are now made by a second generation, Ben Weaver, who continues in his father's footsteps, guiding these grapes into deeply distinctive wines. CLOUDY BAY Marlborough/Central Otago This year, Cloudy Bay celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first trailblazing sauvignon release. Its elegant flagship is still among the best, joined now by the stylish Pelorus méthode traditionnelles, and pinot noirs that include the rising classic Te Wahi from its more recent Central Otago outpost. Its special releases also include a syrah and gamay. COAL PIT Central Otago Coal Pit has slowly burnt into my consciousness as the maker of consistently elegant and savoury pinot noir, as well as a smart dry rosé. At this small certified organic family vineyard in the cool Gibbston subregion of Central Otago grapes are grown, handpicked and made into wines on-site by young, internationally experienced winemaker Anika Willner. CRAGGY RANGE Hawke's Bay/Martinborough Developments at Craggy Range in recent years include incorporating regenerative practices and a gradual conversion to organics in its vineyards. In the winery, new winemaker Ben Tombs has been building texture into its sauvignon blanc by increased use of barrel fermentation, amphora and extended lees contact. The 2024 releases under his guidance continue to impress. DOG POINT Marlborough No longer a pup, Dog Point is now 21. Over these quality-filled years making wines from New Zealand's largest certified organic vineyard, this family-owned establishment, one of the oldest privately established vineyards, is now in the capable hands of the second generation. They continue to craft wines with poise, personality and power. DOCTOR'S FLAT Central Otago For more than 15 years, Steve Davies has focused on making just one pinot noir from his organic Bannockburn vineyard. This singular vision applied to his tiny elevated site has resulted in a consistently exciting and distinctive expression of pinot. Steve also thinks it is a great place for chardonnay and has just bottled its first small crop. FELTON ROAD Central Otago From the biodynamic and organically farmed Felton Road vineyards, Blair Walter crafts exquisite pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling that encourage contemplation. While expressing classic rich and bright Bannockburn fruit, his eloquent yet quietly spoken wines take time to unfurl their many fascinating layers. They're also delicious after some years in the cellar. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for sauvignon blanc FOLIUM Marlborough At the 8-hectare organic Folium vineyard in the Brancott Valley, Takaki Okada is one of the few Marlborough producers whose sauvignon blanc receives no irrigation. He considers dry farming particularly beneficial to the quality of his white wines, encouraging the vines' roots to penetrate more deeply into the soil. With incredibly low yields from a vineyard where Okada does almost everything himself, the result is deeply distinctive handcrafted sauvignons. 'Most alternative sauvignon styles are made with winemaking techniques such as skin contact. However, I want to create something different in the vineyard,' he states. As a recent tasting of his 2014 Reserve Sauvignon furthermore confirmed, his elegant textural sauvignons also age with grace. FRAMINGHAM Marlborough Framingham's first wine released was a 1994 riesling. It has continued its commitment to this fine but underrated variety, making some of our greatest examples in a range of styles. Bought by Mateus owner Sogrape some years back, it's nevertheless managed to continue to operate outside of the mainstream, notably in its excellent, boundary-pushing F-Series range. GREYWACKE Marlborough A family-run winery founded in 2009 by ex-Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd, which makes concentrated and harmonious wines from Marlborough's main varieties. Its winemaking is now in the highly capable hands of Richelle Tyney, who has centuries-old connections to the upper South Island through her Te Tauihu iwi roots. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for the budget conscious GROVE MILL Marlborough Grove Mill has had many iterations since it was founded by a group of local grape growers in the 1980s. Now part of the Foley Family Wines stable, alongside the likes of Martinborough Vineyard and Vavasour, it's retained many of its sustainable credentials. The winery uses solar power, renewable sugarcane labels, locally sourced lightweight bottles, and has undertaken wetland restoration around the winery. Its wines consistently punch well above their weight in terms of value for money, with an appealing pinot noir, sophisticated chardonnay, fresh pear-fruited pinot gris, and vibrant sauvignon blanc that all retail at $20 or under. ISABEL ESTATE Marlborough Chardonnay was the first grape planted at Isabel Estate back in 1980, when it was one of the first wave of vineyards in Marlborough. Chardonnay is certainly having a moment today at Isabel under dynamic winemaker Jeremy Mackenzie, who makes a fine array, alongside a solid selection of other varietals. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for chardonnay KUMEU RIVER Auckland While a relative newcomer in Kumeu River's 80-year history, chardonnay has become both the winery's and arguably the country's flagship example. Kumeu River winemaker, Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich, set out in the 1980s to craft a white Burgundy-style wine with barrel and malolactic fermentation that demonstrated just how seriously good New Zealand chardonnay could be, even when grown in the challenging climes of Kūmeu. Kumeu River began by making only their Estate chardonnay, but as time progressed, vineyards that emerged as unique began to be kept separate, starting with Mate's Vineyard in 1993 and most recently expanding to the Rays Road vineyard in Hawke's Bay. A recent tasting of older vintages reinforced just how consistently excellent and ageworthy Kumeu River's chardonnays are. MILLTON Gisborne New Zealand's first organic and biodynamic wine estate continues to inspire with its pure and expressive wines made from three individual Gisborne vineyards in the ocean-cooled Manutuke subregion. A chenin blanc champion, Millton's examples just get better and better, along with elegant chardonnays and the eclectic natural Libiamo range. MOUNT EDWARD Central Otago From classic to quirky, there's always plenty of interest to be found in the organic wines of Mount Edward. This year, its pinot noirs have been particularly impressive across the board, from its stellar single-vineyard wines, such as the flagship Muirkirk, to its everyday, ultra-practical Big Ted Bag-in-Box. NEUDORF Nelson 'We have an exceptional site here at Neudorf and it demands little from us in the winery. If we can guide grapes into wine of integrity, without buggering it up, we are content,' says winemaker Todd Stevens, who should indeed be content in producing some of Aotearoa's top chardonnay, great pinot and fine albarino in this pioneering Nelson winery. NO 1 FAMILY ESTATE Marlborough After pioneering méthode traditionnelle in New Zealand, 12th-generation Champenois Daniel Le Brun has overseen 45 years of fine Marlborough méthode traditionnelle. From its great value Assemble NV to top vintage Cuvée Adèle, every wine's a winner at this sparkling specialist. PEGASUS BAY North Canterbury Mat Donaldson may have handed over Pegasus Bay's winemaking reins, but the transition appears seamless by the taste of the flagship Canterbury winery's latest releases. Under new head winemaker, Marie Dufour – who worked with Mat for a decade – these continue to blend power and elegance. This consistency is supported by the winery's long-serving staff and the active role played by brothers Ed and Paul Donaldson in this family-run enterprise. PYRAMID VALLEY North Canterbury Pyramid Valley continues to craft incredibly distinctive wines from its home Waikari vineyard, while expanding its production across the country. From the 2024 vintage, it has five chardonnays, likely becoming the first New Zealand producer to make high-end chardonnay from three regions: Hawke's Bay, North Canterbury and Central Otago. Look out for the first of these new releases, the 2024 Pyramid Valley Kererū Road Chardonnay from the Two Terraces Vineyard in Hawke's Bay. CATEGORY WINNER: Lifetime Achievement Award QUARTZ REEF Central Otago Austrian-born Rudi Bauer's vision to plant the first commercial vines on the terra incognita of Bendigo Station back in 1998 has borne remarkable fruit. Bendigo is now an important Central Otago subregion, where Quartz Reef has its 30 hectares of vines, planted over two certified organic and biodynamic vineyards. From these, it has been consistently producing some of the region's and country's finest pinot noir, with Bauer's astute winemaking ensuring the inherent power of the terroir emerges in elegant form. In recent years its estate pinot has been joined by several exceptional single-ferment wines made from single parcels selected at harvest to best express the vineyard and vintage. Quartz Reef also produces some of Aotearoa's finest méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, initially developed from a collaboration between Bauer and winemaker Clothilde Chauvet from Champagne. Bauer also crafts an elegant pinot gris, with his Austrian heritage applied to Quartz Reef's excellent grüner veltliner. RIPPON Central Otago At Rippon, the Mills family have farmed their schist site on the banks of Lake Wānaka for four generations. Current generation Nick Mills farms the land biodynamically, making wines that transmit this special place. These span the central Mature Vine Pinot Noir that represents the whole estate, to specific blocks identified as possessing consistent textural markers that are released as individual wines. TE MATA Hawke's Bay It is the mark of a fine winery to make great wines in a difficult year. This was the case in the 2023 vintage for the historic Te Mata winery, owned now for half a century by the Buck family. The 2023 vintage brought the winery's longest growing season and lowest yields. Despite the challenges, meticulous fruit selection means the estate's wines are still looking great. TE WHARE RA Marlborough Husband and wife team, Jason and Anna Flowerday, craft pure and characterful wines in Marlborough from their organic family home vineyard in Renwick and Jason's parents' property in the Awatere Valley. Their continued focus on building organic matter levels in their soils meant that, unlike some in Marlborough for the 2024 vintage, they were not impacted by the drought, and their whole range of wines shines. TOHU Nelson/Marlborough Aotearoa's first Māori-owned wine company was established in 1998 through a partnership between three tribal groups. Making a strong range of wines from its vineyards in Nelson and Marlborough, its Whenua single-vineyard range has been the source of some particularly impressive wines. Guided by a 500-year plan, an intergenerational strategy to leave the land in a better state than inherited, has led Tohu to transition some vineyards to organic, foster biodiversity and certify its carbon reduction. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for pinot noir VALLI Central Otago/Waitaki Valley Before founding Valli, Grant Taylor honed his pinot winemaking skills over 18 years of experience in the US, Australia and France. He was one of the earliest winemakers to come to Central Otago back in 1993, when there were only 20 hectares planted. He went on to make some of the region's first wave of pinots at a number of important wineries. His main focus is now on his own winery, Valli, which he established in 1998, and where he was joined in the winemaking by Jen Parr in 2015. Valli has led a subregional approach to pinot, with its releases Valli taking you on an exciting trip across Central Otago. Valli's highly distinctive examples not only hail from its founding Gibbston vineyard, but sites in Bendigo, Bannockburn and most recently Pisa, as well as in North Otago's Waitaki Valley, where Taylor is now based. New wave wineries Many of these wineries might only have been around for less than a decade, but have already impressed by the expressive and exciting nature of their wines. AMOISE Hawke's Bay After living and working in various wine regions across the world, Amy Farnsworth started Amoise in 2018. There, she's making beautifully pure and distinctive organic natural wines with lots of care and zero additives. She works with a number of non-mainstream varieties such as chenin blanc and albarino, sourced from the organic Two Terraces and TK vineyards, fermented in a variety of vessels, including Spanish tinajas and large spherical Dolium. ATIPICO Marlborough Jordan Hogg has been making some fascinating wines since launching his organic Atípico label in 2021. These include some fermented 'vinsitu' in barrels outdoors in the vineyards for a greater sense of place, with a small range that spans field blends that can involve pinot noir being fermented with pinot blanc and pinot gris, alongside refreshing new takes on the Marlborough classics of sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. BLANK CANVAS Marlborough Master of Science and Master of Wine respectively, Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson make a diverse array of single-vineyard small-batch wines from around New Zealand. From a Gimblett Gravels syrah to a Marlborough grüner veltliner, as well as some standout Marlborough sauvignons, the one thing that unites all Blank Canvas wines is their interest and quality. BROOD FERMENTATION Nelson After working in beer and wine, from Adelaide to Oregon, winemaker Jim Brown and brewer Lauren Yap landed in Nelson, attracted by its mix of hops and grapes. There, they have been making fresh and interesting wines, from their own and other organic vineyards, employing biodynamic practices and minimal winemaking intervention. They also make great beer. BRYTERLATER North Canterbury Bryterlater makes intriguing textural and acid-focused wines from selected organically farmed vineyards in North Canterbury. Founded in 2013 by winemaker James Graves Opie on his return from making wine in Tasmania, Bryterlater now has its own winery in Waipara, shared with kindred local label 15 Minute Bottles, with which it also makes the collaborative Matter of Time label, whose wines are also worth seeking out. COROFIN Marlborough Microvintners Mike and Anna Paterson make compelling pinot noir and chardonnay from some of Marlborough's most interesting vineyards. All their wines are small-batch and organic-certified, and mostly single-block. However, from 2021 they introduced a pinot noir and chardonnay that are assemblages of the five vineyards they work with, which offer a fascinating lens through which to see these varieties in Marlborough each vintage. HALCYON DAYS Hawke's Bay Amy and Olly Hopkinson-Styles make certified organic wines from Te Matau a Māui Hawke's Bay with an incredibly light touch. Using grapes from the Osawa and Two Terraces vineyards in Mangatahi, Halcyon Days' moreish, additive-free wines range from a hard-to-get sparkling chenin blanc to the very rare New Zealand sangiovese that has become its flagship red. HUNTRESSS Wairarapa Hunter-winemaker Jannine Rickards (Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Te Rangi) has extended the range of her engaging small-batch wines beyond her home base in the Wairarapa, which now encompasses wines from North Canterbury and Hawke's Bay. September brings the release of Matiti, a new pet-nat made in collaboration with the Papawhakaritorito Trust, which undertakes research, education and development in relation to Māori food sovereignty. KENZIE Hawke's Bay After 15 years making Arfion and Salo wines in the Yarra Valley, ultra-creative Dave Mackintosh returned to Aotearoa, where he's been pushing the boundaries of style with his Kenzie label. Working with small sustainable and organic independent growers across diverse sites throughout Hawke's Bay, his lo-fi wines range from elegant chardonnay to eclectic blends and a top albarino, often sporting his own art on the label. MARATHON DOWNS Marlborough Marathon Downs is the project of viticulturist Jess Barnes and winemaker Nick Pett. Inspired to make their own wines over the Covid lockdown, they were initially from Jess's family vineyard in the Awatere. The couple are planting their own small vineyard that will add the likes of gamay to their characterful range of minimal-input wines, which include alternative-style sauvignons, and a rare, recently released Marlborough syrah viognier. MOKO HILLS Central Otago Ecology and wine go hand in hand at Moko Hills. Prior to becoming the primary winegrower of his 40-hectare Bendigo family estate, Moko's Donald van der Westhuizen was a research ecologist. As well as making distinctive and elegant pinot noirs and chardonnay since the vineyard's first vintage in 2020, he is engaging in ecological restoration work to conserve its natural landscape for future generations. CATEGORY WINNER: Best New Winery ORATERRA Martinborough One of the most anticipated launches of the last 12 months came from Oraterra. Despite being from the tricky 2023 vintage, the first trio of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris it released did not disappoint. Winemaker Wilco Lam describes his focus at Oraterra as being 'more on texture and mouthfeel, less so on aromatic profiling'. Oraterra is a blend of what was once the On Giants Shoulders vineyard, with the former team of the iconic Dry River winery, who opted to move on when the winery was sold. Oraterra has since secured itself a winery and further vineyards on or around the Martinborough Terrace, all managed organically with biodynamic treatments. An important new player in Martinborough wine. SIREN WINE Marlborough Since returning to Marlborough in 2020 after stints at some of the world's most notable organic estates, Ashleigh Barrowman has swiftly established Siren Wines as the producer of highly distinctive, savoury and intriguing single-vineyard, single-varietal wines. All her minimal intervention wines are made from the organic Wrekin Vineyard. TAKAHIRO K North Canterbury Takahiro Koyama came to New Zealand from Japan in 2003 to study winemaking, joining Mountford before starting Koyama wines. For the last two years, he has been crafting distinctive, small-batch wines from organically managed vineyards under his Takahiro K label. Reflecting different soils and topographies, these include pinot noirs from sites across Waipara, as well as Central Otago, and a knockout Waipara riesling. THREE FATES Hawke's Bay It's been five years since fate threw three furloughed women winemakers together to make wine from a small vineyard in Maraekakaho. Holly Girven Russell, Hester Nesbitt and Casey Motley named the project Three Fates, making deliciously drinkable wines from the vineyard's unusual mix of albarino, arneis and cabernet franc. Although they lost this vineyard with the death of its owner, they are now working with new sites and engaging a number of winemaking collaborations. TANTALUS Waiheke Island Planted in 1998, the Tantalus Estate vineyard in Waiheke's Onetangi Valley has been producing small-batch Bordeaux and Rhône-style blends since its inaugural vintage in 2014. Purchased by the Aitken family in 2016, its new owners' commitment to making thoughtful and sustainable wine is reflected in the gravity-fed winery they have built into a hillside, as well as new vessels, such as concrete eggs. Its current releases of syrah and chardonnay are particularly of note. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for natural wine A THOUSAND GODS Waihopai, Marlborough A Thousand Gods provides compelling evidence that natural wine can be fine wine, in their pure and captivating expressions made from the organic Churton vineyard. Inspired by their experiences working with leading natural wineries in Europe, Lauren Keanan and Simon Sharp brought the 'Zero-Zero' philosophy of winemaking back with them to Aotearoa. Aiming to craft clean, age-worthy wines without any additives, they have achieved this by taking time, using quality fruit, and employing meticulous winemaking. This past year has seen the release of what is likely New Zealand's first dry petit manseng, No Devices. It is an incredibly rare wine, as there is only one hectare planted in Aotearoa, and has typically been made in sweeter styles. CATEGORY WINNER: Best for bubbles VILAURA Hawke's Bay Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen began making méthode traditionnelle while studying winemaking together in Hawke's Bay. Upon graduating, Jascha, from the historic Selak winemaking family, was captivated by traditional sparkling winemaking, while Sanne lived and worked in Champagne for a harvest. As Vilaura, they specialise exclusively in making fine méthode traditionnelle from New Zealand's key growing regions: Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawke's Bay, making their first vintage in 2019. Following the launch of this first wine two years ago, their focus and expertise has quickly established Vilaura as the producer of some of the country's most refined sparkling wines. THE WREKIN VINEYARD Marlborough Andrew and Jan Johns purchased their Fairhall Valley estate 23 years ago, initially to farm sheep and cattle, but on the advice of a soil scientist, planted pinot noir, chardonnay and chenin blanc. Their organic and biodynamic vineyard has been supplying grapes to some of Marlborough's leading organic winemakers, and now the Johns release their own fresh and distinctive vineyard-focused wines, grown by Jeremy Hyland and now made by legendary local winemaker, Hatsch Kalberer.
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Ascot appoints new executive manager of hotel pedigree
Ascot Hotel's new executive manager Oytun Cevik is no stranger to making beds or carrying luggage. But the industry was much more than making beds, he said. Developing a great customer experience should be the industry's end goal. "You have to put yourself in the guest's shoes." Being greeted with a smile and staff building a rapport with customers as soon as they walked through the door was key. The diversity of hospitality required flexibility to its demands. Beside's the nation's attractive scenery, he believed New Zealand had a unique hospitality culture that was attractive to international visitors. "I think Kiwi hospitality is something that you really need to come and experience . . . "It's definitely down-to-earth. Friendliness and welcoming, that's what brings people back." Capturing repeat business was core to the industry's survival, he said. After graduating in Turkey with honours in tourism and management, he moved to the United States to work in the housekeeping department at the 1415ha, 300-room Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Georgia. His New Zealand industry experience started in Queenstown where he met his Southland-born wife, Emma. Industry doors continued to open to the couple and their two daughters, Ruby, 9, and Scarlet, 12 — offering new opportunities on the hospitality management ladder which led to his Ascot Park Hotel executive manager role. He always believed a move back to the South Island would be part of their future where they would be closer to family, he said. He has done the hard-yards serving in housekeeping, front office, food and beverage attendants and accounts. "You don't become a GM [general manager] for a hotel overnight — you have to start from scratch." While he was no micro-manager, he was still more than happy to pitch in and make beds and clean bathrooms if it was required, he said. "Being a GM is not something that you always do from behind the desk. You have to be really ready with multiple hats throughout the day . . . you have to be really flexible with what you do around the hotel. "It's hospitality — wherever it's required, you need to step in and do it with the team." Meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds was a part of the industry he particularly enjoyed. "It's embedded into Ascot Hotel . . . that's what I love about coming to work every day and sharing things with my team and what they're achieving every day." Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT) chief executive Chris Ramsay said Mr Cevik's record of success across all his previous positions had the ILT executive team excited for the future of the Ascot Park Hotel. The role was a highly contested position which attracted both national and international interest from a range of highly skilled and experienced hotel managers, he said. "Oytun stood out throughout the process, having built a career in hotels that started in America at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort Atlanta and has included major hotel brands across New Zealand such as Millennium, Pullman, Grand Chancellor, and most recently as cluster general manager at Adina City Life and Travelodge Hotels in Wellington."
Techday NZ
11-06-2025
- Techday NZ
New Zealand mandates DMARC enforcement to secure government email
The New Zealand Government has mandated the implementation of DMARC at p=reject for all government email domains as part of a new Secure Government Email (SGE) framework. The SGE initiative is designed to strengthen the security of email communications across the country's public sector, replacing the previous SEEMail system with a standards-based and scalable solution. The move forms part of an effort to reduce the threat of phishing, domain spoofing, and other attacks targeting government services and sensitive data. According to the technical requirements outlined under the SGE framework, agencies are required to operationalise SPF with strict policies, DKIM signing at the final sending server, DMARC at enforcement with full reporting enabled, and to implement MTA-STS at Enforce mode with TLS-RPT enabled. Encrypted email sessions must be secured using TLS 1.2 or higher, and sensitive data must be protected through Data Loss Prevention (DLP) measures. Agencies must conform to these protocols by October 2025 and align their practices with the New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM). Compliance across agencies The DMARC mandate extends to all government departments, ministries, and agencies that operate email domains, irrespective of whether they send or only receive emails. Agencies that have yet to introduce DMARC and the supporting authentication protocols have been directed to begin audit and implementation processes to satisfy the compliance requirements by the deadline. Those with partial implementations are expected to upgrade policies and introduce continuous monitoring. The intended outcome of the mandate is to substantially reduce phishing attempts, identity impersonation, and other forms of email-based fraud that target government entities and members of the public. By ensuring that only authenticated emails are delivered, the SGE framework aims to shore up trust in official government correspondence and safeguard citizen data. Support for transition PowerDMARC, an email authentication and domain protection platform, has pledged to support New Zealand government agencies in the transition to the new SGE framework. The platform provides tools for the automated deployment of DMARC, SPF, DKIM, MTA-STS, and reporting protocols, coupled with detailed monitoring services to streamline compliance and mitigate the risk of email spoofing. PowerDMARC says that its solution offers automated policy enforcement, real-time alerts, and guidance closely aligned with NZISM standards. This, the company argues, can help agencies meet new requirements efficiently and securely, without imposing significant additional burdens on internal IT and security teams. "The shift to SGE marks a critical upgrade in securing New Zealand's public sector communications. With proven email authentication expertise and NZISM-aligned controls, PowerDMARC simplifies this complex transition with automation, real-time visibility, and hands-on support. We help agencies meet compliance faster, reduce spoofing risks, and safeguard sensitive data without straining internal resources," said Maitham Al Lawati, CEO of PowerDMARC. The SGE policy mandates DMARC in p=reject mode, requiring that any emails failing DMARC checks are actively rejected, rather than being quarantined or allowed through for further examination. This measure is recognised industry-wide as the most stringent standard for sender authentication, reflecting the government's prioritisation of email security. Phishing and spoofing reduction Email continues to represent a significant threat vector for phishing, social engineering, and domain impersonation attacks. These tactics are commonly leveraged to bypass perimeter security controls, access sensitive government information, or undermine public trust in official communications. By adopting the SGE's suite of authentication controls and encryption standards, the government aims to eliminate a broad set of vulnerabilities currently present in email transactions. Government agencies across New Zealand now face a period of audit, upgrade, and testing to ensure all requirements are met ahead of the October 2025 enforcement deadline. Ongoing monitoring and reporting will be critical to maintaining compliance and responding to future email-based threats as tactics and technologies continue to evolve.
