Double triumph for World Choir Games at NZ Events Association Awards

5 Sept 2025

The World Choir Games 2024 has been recognised with two of the most prestigious accolades at the 2025 NZEA New Zealand Event Awards, held on Tuesday night at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton. The awards ceremony, attended by more than 400 industry leaders, honoured excellence across the events sector nationwide.

World Choir Games 2024 was named Major or Mega Event of the Year, joining the ranks of past winners such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Rugby World Cup 2021, and was also voted by the public as New Zealand’s Favourite Event.

In July 2024, we welcomed over 11,000 singers from 42 countries to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the World Choir Games – the world’s largest international choral festival and competition. Across its 11 days, the Games brought the city alive with 49 competition categories across six central-city venues, 6 spectacular ceremonies at Spark Arena, 9 Celebration Concerts and 16 workshops, 54 Friendship Concerts at a further 15 venues across the region, a vibrant waterfront street parade attended by thousands, more than 25,000 audience members enjoying over 800 performances.

Special recognition goes to Artistic and Games Director John Rosser and Executive Director Kylie Sealy, who led a local organising team of 56, supported by 360 volunteers, 100+ crew, and over 1,165 local performers, all pouring their energy and talent into creating an unforgettable festival. 

The World Choir Games 2024 was presented by NZCF in partnership with international choral event organisation INTERKULTUR, and was made possible through the support of New Zealand Major Events and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, who backed the event from the initial bid process to the final standing ovation.

Accepting the Major Event of the Year award, NZCF Chief Executive Christine Argyle reflected that “the World Choir Games was more than an event - it was a celebration of unity, culture and the human voice. This award affirms what we felt in every note sung, every connection made and every moment shared: that the Games were truly remarkable.”

In receiving the NZ’s Favourite Event award she added, “to be chosen by the public as their favourite event means so much to us and tells us that the World Choir Games didn’t just impress, it connected - resonating with thousands of New Zealanders who felt the joy, the unity and the magic of voices raised together in song.”

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