Award finalists announced

Gore’s Phil Geary, Brian Pay and Ron Mitchell are among the finalists for this year’s Southland Creative Arts Awards.

Presented by Arts Murihiku, the biennial awards celebrate the individuals, groups, organisations and supporters who contribute to a vibrant and thriving arts sector across Southland.

More than 90 nominations were received across the awards’ nine categories.

Phil Geary, who has convened the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards Committee for more than 30 years, is a nominee for the 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 Southland.

Brian Pay, a behind-the-scenes stalwart of the Gore Musical Theatre and its current president, is a finalist for The Hits Production excellence award, which recognises 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.

Country music singer-songwriter Ron Mitchell, who last month won the Country Music Honour for the MLT Songwriting Award, is a finalist for the ELM Marketing Creative Excellence Award, which recognises skill, creativity, innovation and mastery in the nominee’s field.

Also among the finalists are Waikaia teacher Reander Gerber, a finalist in the Southland Arts Society Leadership in Arts Education award, and ‘‘He Wai Apakura — Te Ara Pounamu’’ (The River’s Lament — A Pathway of Treasures), a collaboration between the Hokonui runaka and Eastern Southland Gallery, is a finalist in 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 practice, awarded to those who hold on to, maintain and develop those treasures and knowledge handed down from our ancestors.

Arts Murihiku chairwoman Becs Amundsen said in a statement the quality and diversity of nominations made judging a challenging task.

‘‘The judges were impressed not only by the calibre of work being undertaken across Murihiku, but also by the diversity of people contributing to our arts community.

‘‘The nominations highlighted everything from emerging young talent through to organisations and individuals who have dedicated decades to supporting and growing the arts.’’

This year’s judging panel comprised Deborah Waikapohe, Sara Litchfield and Rob Cloughley.

The awards evening will be held at Ascot Park Hotel on Saturday, August 15.

The 2026 Supreme Award recipient will be selected from the pool of finalists and will be announced at this year’s event. It recognises an individual or group who has exemplified excellence, creativity and significant impact on the artistic landscape of Murihiku Southland during the award period.

Tickets for the gala dinner are available through Arts Murihiku’s website artsmurihiku.co.nz/southland-creative-arts-awards-2026 — Allied Media