Source: Auckland Council
Amotai, an Auckland Council-led national supplier diversity facilitator, celebrated its annual Supplier Diversity Awards on 26 August 2025, recognising standouts Independent Traffic Control, McConnell Dowell and Ministry of Education in three categories: Supplier of the Year, Buyer of the Year and Supplier Advocate of the Year.
Co-Founder and esteemed Manukura for Amotai Anna-Jane Edwards says she’s proud to witness the continued growth of Amotai and finds this year’s theme ‘Strengthening Our Commitment’ particularly fitting.
“Amotai was born in 2018 after recognising the lack of diversity within Auckland Council’s own supply chain. Since inception, we’ve only gone from strength to strength – we’re delighted to have celebrated our seventh Summit event and our second Supplier Diversity Awards this year.
“The theme aims to inspire and demonstrate the resilience of the supplier diversity movement in Aotearoa. We hope to continue this momentum well into the future, recognising champions in this space along the way and learning from overseas best practices, while uplifting Māori and Pasifika communities here in Aotearoa,” adds Anna-Jane.
Auckland Council’s Chief Executive Phil Wilson says Amotai continues to live up to its name and deliver for under-represented communities.
“Amotai means the swell in the tide; a tide that can carry all waka to new horizons, and its efforts to date have been doing just that, by connecting buyers and suppliers to build a stronger, more inclusive economy and future for all.
“It’s great to see sold-out events at both the Navigate Summit and Supplier Diversity Awards this year – we’re continually inspired by the winners and wish them all a warm congratulations,” says Mr Wilson.
For the second consecutive year, Navigate Summit hosted an international delegation representing the United States, Canada and Australia. This year also marked the launch of a partnership with Auckland University, which aims to increase research and understanding about the impact of supplier diversity in Aotearoa, growing a body of evidence around the economy of mana in action through Māori and Pasifika enterprises.
The Amotai Supplier Diversity Awards 2025 finalists and winners are as follows:
Supplier of the Year
ARC Asbestos Removal & Demolition
Independent Traffic Control (iTraffic) (winner)
Tito Group
Buyer of the Year
Air New Zealand
Downer
GHD
McConnell Dowell (winner)
Supplier Advocate of the Year
Adam Brown – JFC Ltd
Junior Ioane – Ministry of Education New Zealand (winner)
Megan McNay – Downer
Roslyn Pere-Morris – Auckland Council
About Amotai
Amotai connects public, private and not-for-profit sector buyers across Aotearoa and Australia with Māori and Pasifika-owned suppliers with the aim to unlock opportunities for innovation, growth and resilience on both sides, supporting participating parties to positively impact communities through their procurement processes.
