Congratulations to our 2026 Excellence Award Winners!

Life Membership Award

Peter Laurenson

Sponsored by BOINZ

The Life Member Award recognises an individual whose service to the Institute and the building surveying profession has been exceptional, sustained, and influential.

For more than two decades, Peter Laurensen has made a significant contribution through Institute governance, serving as Vice President and President, championing professional qualifications, and representing the profession at national regulatory and ministerial levels.

Through his leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to strengthening the profession, Peter has made a lasting impact on the Institute, the wider building sector, and the communities he has served.

Contribution to Technical and Legislative Improvements Award

Bruce Klein

Sponsored by James Hardie

The Contribution to Technical and Legislative Improvements Award recognises an individual whose extensive career has made a lasting contribution to technical excellence and legislative practice within the building sector.

Bruce Klein has built a highly respected reputation through decades of industry and regulatory experience, including 25 years with the Building Industry Authority, Department of Building and Housing, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, where he played a key role in developing building code guidance, verification methods, and technical resources.

Through his continued work as a technical advisor, Bruce has shared his expertise generously across the sector, providing BOINZ and industry partners with trusted guidance, training, and leadership through significant regulatory change.

Outstanding Commitment to Community Service and Response Award

Rebecca Laugesen and Kelsey Leathem

Sponsored by Allco

This award recognises exceptional commitment to public service, and this year’s recipients exemplify that through their wide-ranging contribution to both regulatory functions and community support at Kaikōura District Council. Managing everything from building consents, inspections, and accreditation preparation to cemetery administration, customer enquiries, and complaint response, they deliver outstanding service with professionalism, care, and reliability in a demanding small-council environment.

While balancing young families, further study, and extensive industry training, Rebecca Laugesen and Kelsey Leatham continue to go above and beyond, making them an integral part of their organisation and highly deserving recipients of the Allco Outstanding Commitment to Community Service and Response Award.

Training Commitment Award

Hutt City Council

Sponsored by Mitek

The Training Commitment Award celebrates the individual or organisation that has committed to significantly improving the position of training in their field.

The Hutt City Council has made a strong commitment to building a culture of training, recognising that quality, ongoing learning is essential to organisational capability, efficiency, and a positive professional culture. Hutt City Council has continued to invest in staff development, with leadership and dedicated professional development teams actively supporting learning opportunities across all levels.

Their sustained effort to strengthen training demonstrates a clear understanding that investing in people leads to better outcomes, stronger performance, and long-term organisational success.

Emerging Leader Award

William Kraakman

Sponsored by Resene Construction Systems

This award recognises an individual whose leadership has emerged through challenge, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.

Rising from within the team to become Senior Building Consent Officer, William Kraakman stepped into significant leadership during a period of organisational change, strengthening systems, addressing longstanding issues, and guiding their team through critical regulatory scrutiny.

His work has demonstrated courage, integrity, and principled leadership.

Outstanding Commitment to Information, Skills Development and Education

Tessa Sayliss

Sponsored by ACRS

This award recognises an individual whose commitment to building surveyor education goes beyond training, they are deeply invested in growing the knowledge, skills and confidence of others across the profession.

Combining strong technical expertise with a genuine passion for learning and development, Tessa works tirelessly to identify, and deliver meaningful training opportunities, even overcoming significant personal injury this year while continuing to advocate for their learners.

Through her valued contributions to the BOINZ branch executive and training advisory group, she has helped strengthen learning across the wider industry.

Contribution to BOINZ Award

Kerry Walsh

Sponsored by Objective

This award recognises an individual whose long-standing commitment has made a significant impact on the advancement of BOINZ.

Kerry has generously dedicated countless hours to supporting members through governance, training, advisory groups, and standards work, always championing professionalism, learning, and connection across the sector.

Kerry is a Life Member, former Branch Chair, Board Member and President, their reliability, generosity and tireless service make them part of the backbone of BOINZ.

Innovator of the Year Award

Professional Building Consultants Ltd

Sponsored by Carter Holt Harvey

This award recognises innovation that creates practical change, improving performance, productivity, and the way our sector operates.

Managing 45 staff across multiple BCAs, Professional Building Consultants faced the challenge of varied systems and processes. They invested in capability with the result being Livetrack, a bespoke, fully integrated platform connecting application lodgement, processing, scheduling, inspections, and CCC workflows.

The impact has been substantial: stronger efficiency, better quality assurance, and the agility to continuously improve in a rapidly evolving digital sector.

Young Building Control Professional of the Year Award

Shuya Gao

Sponsored by The Building Agency

This award recognises a professional whose career reflects dedication, consistency, and quiet excellence.

Over the past seven years, Shuya has steadily grown within their organisation, beginning in building consent vetting and progressing through continual development to achieve the highest competency in both Building Consent and Code Compliance Certificate processing.

Respected for her calm approach, strong work ethic, and thoughtful contribution, she is valued not only for their technical expertise but also for the positive influence she brings to her team. Her dedication, humility, and leadership make them a highly deserving recipient.

Branch of the Year Award

Canterbury / Westland Branch

Sponsored by GIB

The Branch of the Year Award recognises outstanding local engagement, innovation, and member value.

The Canterbury / Westland Branch stands out for strong leadership, excellent planning, and a highly supportive executive team. Their well-organised events are well attended, combining education, connection, and enjoyable experiences for members.

Their field trips are a highlight, offering engaging and practical learning that strengthens members’ day-to-day capability. Prompt reporting to National Office, including photo updates, also ensures the wider branch membership stays connected and informed.

Unsung Hero Award

Hasan Shueb

Sponsored by Tracklok

The unsung hero is awarded to an individual who has dedicated significant time to the Institute.

Since joining BOINZ as an Associate Member in 2018, Hasan has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the Institute and the profession.

In 2022, he became Auckland Branch Chair, providing consistent and inclusive leadership that strengthened member engagement and supported steady membership growth. Since 2023, branch meetings have regularly attracted 40–80 participants both in person and online, reflecting the quality and relevance of the programme.

With over eight years of service to BOINZ, Hasan continues to contribute meaningfully to the Institute and the wider profession.

Advancement of Women in Building Surveying Award

Queenstown Lakes District Council

Sponsored by ICC

Awarded to an individual or organisation demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing and supporting women in building surveying.

Over time, women have increasingly entered the profession, contributing across the full range of skills required in this demanding field. This progress is widely supported and celebrated across the sector. BOINZ now reflects this shift, with female membership reaching 25% and continuing to grow.

Queenstown Lakes District Council have demonstrated exceptional commitment through action, with approximately 60% of its BOINZ training enrolments in 2025 being women. This includes 36 of 61 general training registrations, three of four enrolments in the BOINZ and Heaney & Partners Advanced Series, and two of three registrations to the 2025 Symposium and BCA Leaders Forum.

Future Skills Student of the Year Award

Katie Waiti-Dennis

Sponsored by Future Skills

This award recognises outstanding academic participation, commitment to learning, and leadership demonstrated by a current student enrolled in the New Zealand Diploma in Building Surveying.

Katie Waiti-Dennis is the BCA Quality Manager at Far North District Council and is highly regarded for her professionalism, technical capability, and commitment to excellence. She has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, integrity, and a robust work ethic across both her studies and professional practice.

She is widely respected for her deep technical understanding and her ability to balance compliance requirements with practical outcomes. She is an outstanding representative of both the programme and the profession.

Future Skills Graduate of the Year Award

Jeff Fahrensohn

Sponsored by Future Skills

This award recognises the highest level of academic and professional excellence across the programme, including outstanding academic performance, consistency throughout the degree, excellence in research, professional contribution, and contribution to the wider learning community.

Jeff Fahrensohn achieved exceptional results throughout the Bachelor of Building Surveying and Control, demonstrating consistently high academic performance and outstanding research work. He combined advanced technical knowledge with practical industry insight, standing out as an exceptional graduate in the programme.

His achievement is particularly notable given their commitment to continuing study while holding a demanding senior leadership role and contributing extensively to the wider profession. Balancing these responsibilities reflects strong dedication, discipline, and a clear commitment to lifelong learning.