The Thankyou Payroll New Zealand Virtual Assistant Awards
CELEBRATING THE EXCEPTIONAL VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS OF AOTEAROA
Check Out The Award Winners!
Tania DeJonge, Virtually There
Virtual Assistant of the Year
This award recognises the Virtual Assistant who, chosen from all category winners, stands out from the crowd for their customer service, online presence, growth, services offered and their all around commitment to the success of their clients.
Tania DeJonge, Virtually There
Top Performing Freelancer
This award recognises the top performing freelance VA who based on their reputation, financial performance, online presence and client testimonials is the shining star in our VA community.
Courtney Tuhoro, Strictly Savvy
VA Leadership Award
This award recognises our Virtual Assistant Agency Owners or Team Managers, who support their people to deliver exceptional services to their clients and who have shown exemplary leadership.
Shadow Administration
Top Performing VA Agency
This award celebrates the top performing Virtual Assistant Agency based on key performance metrics, marketing nous, workflow management, quality control and client testimonials.
Kylie Tolman, Your Spiritual VA
Best VA Newcomer
This award celebrates the best up-and-coming Virtual Assistant who shows huge potential and has been in business for less than 12 months.
Dollybird
Best Online Presence
This category honors the Virtual Assistant whose digital footprint sets them apart. Judging encompasses a stellar social media strategy, engaging content, and a strong, cohesive brand identity across platforms, making them a visible and influential force online.
Tania DeJonge, Virtually There
Best Specialty or Niche
This award recognises the Virtual Assistant who has refined their services to a specific niche or specialty service, becoming an expert in their field and the go-to VA in the industry.
Tara McGowan, 5 Star Admin
Top Performing Bookkeeper
Awarded to the bookkeeper who not only excels in accuracy, reliability, and professionalism but also demonstrates innovative strategies to manage and optimise their clients' finances. This bookkeeper combines expertise with exceptional service, making them indispensable to their clients.
Rachel Riddle, Dollybird Creative
Top Performing Creative VA
This award is for the Creative Virtual Assistant whose work in design, copywriting, or social media* stands out for its innovation and impact. Recognising those who blend artistry with strategy to enhance brand stories, engage audiences, and drive business success through compelling content and creative excellence.
Anesha Ralston, Wildhouse Design Studio
Top Performing Creative VA
This award is for the Creative Virtual Assistant whose work in design, copywriting, or social media* stands out for its innovation and impact. Recognising those who blend artistry with strategy to enhance brand stories, engage audiences, and drive business success through compelling content and creative excellence.
Shadow Administration
Best VA Website
Awarded to the VA with the most outstanding website of the year, taking into account beautiful design, great functionality, content that converts and exceptional SEO. The site is to be the VA's own business website.
Jessie Grimmer, Your A Team
Top Performing VA Team Member
This award recognises the sub-contractor, or employee of a Virtual Assistant agency, who displays outstanding performance, commitment and contribution to their team and clients.
Dollybird
Best Online Presence
This category honors the Virtual Assistant whose digital footprint sets them apart. Judging encompasses a stellar social media strategy, engaging content, and a strong, cohesive brand identity across platforms, making them a visible and influential force online.
Debra Metcalfe, Pūmau
VA Legacy Award
This award is all about celebrating our long standing Virtual Assistants, who have been in the industry for 10 years or longer, flying the flag professionally and contributing to the NZ VA community.
Proudly sponsored by...
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Giving Back
This year we're running an EPIC raffle where all the proceeds will support Woven Earth, a grass-roots charity creating loving homes for family violence survivors and their children. By participating, you'll add excitement to your night and contribute to an important cause that really matters.
Join us at the awards where we'll showcase the spirit of doing good that defines our virtual assistant community. Let's celebrate, have fun, and make a difference together!
Doing Good
When you purchase tickets through Humanitix, the profit made on all booking fees goes straight to children's charities.
So while you celebrate our exceptional virtual assistant community you're also making a positive impact on the lives of children in need.
The Ultimate Work-From-Home Raffle
Tickets on sale now for the Ultimate WFH Raffle.
All proceeds will go to the grassroots charity Woven Earth to create loving homes for family violence survivors.
The raffle closes on Saturday 21 September.
Total prize value of over $1500.
Grab yourself a ticket for $10 and go into the draw to win.
RAFFLE NOW CLOSEDCheck out the amazing WFH prize pack...
Special thanks to...
Awards Dinner
Join us online or in-person at the Thankyou Payroll NZ VA Awards dinner to celebrate in style. Tickets are on sale now.
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Join Us In-Person
Hamilton is where it's happening! Join us in person at a fabulous venue in the Waikato. Meet other VAs from around the country and enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and drinks.
Tickets: $157 plus GST
Join Us Online
Register to watch and join in all the fun and celebrations virtually. With the beauty of technology and tech guys, we'll be streaming the entire event on AirMeet so you won't miss a thing.
Tickets: 'Pay What You Want' to help cover streaming costs.
Platinum Sponsor
Thankyou Payroll is driven by a team of passionate kiwi payroll experts with a dedication to pay it forward.
They take the pain out of payroll so you can get back to making good things happen.
So thank you Thankyou Payroll for making good things happen for the VA community and giving us a brand spanking new name this year!
View Website
The VA Community Contributor Award
One of the categories this year is the VA Community Contributor. This award recognises the VA industry member who has shown high levels of involvement and support to virtual assistants across the community in New Zealand.
VOTING CLOSEDGold Sponsor
Thank you to Kairākau Awhi for supporting the Virtual Assistant Awards with their Gold sponsorship.
Kairākau Awhi is the world's only industry-registered, hapū-led Māori Virtual Assistance Agency.
These awards would not be possible without the incredible support from Scarlet and her team.
View Website
Enter The Awards!
Put your best foot forward across 12 different categories to get the recognition and kudos for the hard work that you've been putting in as a virtual assistant and the support you've shown the community and New Zealand businesses.
Entries are now closed. Good luck to all the finalists!
Virtual Assistant of The Year
This award recognises the Virtual Assistant who, chosen from all category winners, stands out from the crowd for their customer service, online presence, growth, services offered and their all around commitment to the success of their clients.
Best VA Website
Awarded to the VA with the most outstanding website of the year, taking into account beautiful design, great functionality, content that converts and exceptional SEO. The site is to be the VA's own business website.
Best VA Newcomer
This award celebrates the best up-and-coming Virtual Assistant who shows huge potential and has been in business for less than 12 months.
Top Performing VA Team Member
This award recognises the sub-contractor, or employee of a Virtual Assistant agency, who displays outstanding performance, commitment and contribution to their team and clients.
Top Performing Freelancer
This award recognises the top performing freelance VA who based on their reputation, financial performance, online presence and client testimonials is the shining star in our VA community.
Top Performing VA Agency
This award celebrates the top performing Virtual Assistant Agency based on key performance metrics, marketing nous, workflow management, quality control and client testimonials.
VA Leadership Award
This award recognises our Virtual Assistant Agency Owners or Team Managers, who support their people to deliver exceptional services to their clients and who have shown exemplary leadership.
Best VA Specialty or Niche
This award recognises the Virtual Assistant who has refined their services to a specific niche or specialty service, becoming an expert in their field and the go-to VA in the industry.
VA Legacy Award
This award is all about celebrating our long standing Virtual Assistants, who have been in the industry for 10 years or longer, flying the flag professionally and contributing to the NZ VA community.
This award winner is chosen by the Virtual Assistant Network of NZ.
VA Community Contributor
This award recognises the VA industry member who has shown high levels of involvement and support to virtual assistants across the community in New Zealand.
The award winner is voted by the VA community.
Top Performing Bookkeeper
Awarded to the bookkeeper who not only excels in accuracy, reliability, and professionalism but also demonstrates innovative strategies to manage and optimise their clients' finances.
This bookkeeper combines expertise with exceptional service, making them indispensable to their clients.
Best Online Presence
This category honours the Virtual Assistant whose digital footprint sets them apart.
Judging encompasses a stellar social media strategy, engaging content, clear messaging and a strong, cohesive brand identity across platforms, making them a visible and influential force online.
Top Performing Creative VA
This award is for the Creative Virtual Assistant who stands out for their innovation, impact and eye for design.
Recognising those who blend artistry with strategy to enhance brand stories, engage audiences, and drive business success through compelling content and creative excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who judges the awards?
Can you enter more than one category?
What if you are a finalist but can't attend in-person?
Are there any accommodation deals for the event?
How does the online option work?
Who is eligible to enter the awards?
What do the winners receive?
What is the dress code for the event?
What does my ticket get me?
Who can purchase a ticket and attend the event?
How do I watch the event?
Meet Our Judges!
Natalie Coombe
Pricing Expert, NatalieCoombe.com
Natalie helps women in service-based businesses nail their pricing and their profit so they can pay themselves what they’re worth, doing what they love, only working the hours they want!
With 25 years' experience working with top businesses and solopreneurs around the world, Natalie is the go-to for all things pricing and profit.
Her signature pricing programme - Nail Your Pricing™️- has helped hundreds of women transform their profitability, pay themselves the salary they deserve, and work less hours doing it.
Grant Johnson
Co-Founder & CEO, Rocketspark.com
Grant co-founded the website platform Rocketspark over 13 years ago and now thousands of organisations have created stunning sites on this user-friendly tool.
Cathy Sheppard
Founder & CEO, bsipeopleskills.co.nz
Cathy empowers people, leaders and teams at every level of organisations, creating excellent workplace cultures that people are proud to be part of and enable great results.
Tracey Hancock
Live Well Coach, TraceyHancock.com
Life coach, Tracey Hancock helps business owners and leaders create the life that’s right for them.
No more second-guessing yourself and letting doubt hold you back from living fully! It’s your time to live well and make the impact you know you want to make.
Through personal coaching sessions and her online programs, Tracey teaches practical and soulful planning, action-taking and mindset strategies. Everything she shares has been specifically chosen to help you gain the clarity and confidence needed to feel fulfilled in all aspects of life (and that includes business too).
Lynda Moore
The Money Mentalist, MoneyMentalist.com
Lynda spends her time working with individuals and couples helping them understand their relationship with money, how to communicate about money to each other and how to make better financial choices.
She uses her accounting expertise to help them build a Money Plan (she don’t use the term budget) which gives them the confidence to manage their money to reach their financial goals.
David Morrison
CEO Thankyou Payroll, ThankyouPayroll.co.nz
David is passionate about helping NZ businesses succeed, no matter their size.
A champion for building generosity into business David loves supporting people and organisations that strive to leave a lasting positive impact in the world.
When not fulfilling his CEO duties, David can be found on the ocean paddling his surf ski.
Hayden Burgess
Creative Coach + Mentor,
pitchr. Creative
Hayden has built a successful career as a freelance illustrator and designer, working with a bunch of rad clients including bands, record labels, bars, and online publications.
Combining the psychology of sales and marketing with his love of creating, Hayden started pitchr. in late 2020 with the aim to help designers get confident with selling the epic work they create.
Tyron Noble
Graphic and Digital Designer,
Rocketspark
Tyron is a seasoned web designer with an eye for design and a flair for crafting engaging websites. With over a decade of design expertise under his belt, Tyron can spot a high converting website a mile off and is the perfect Rocketspark addition to the judging panel in 2024.
Jodine McIntyre
Social Media Coach, Socialsmarty
Jodine's simple strategies and training methods help smart business owners and professionals move from feeling overwhelmed by social media to feeling confident, comfortable with the technology and ready to show up consistently on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Jason Tiller
Jason brings a wealth of digital expertise to the table, backed by over a decade of leadership in sales and marketing. He deeply understands the needs of businesses, with a particular focus on enhancing digital experiences. Jason believes that the core of a successful digital presence lies in a compelling story—one that resonates with its audience and stands out across Aotearoa.
Sarah Davies
Solopreneur Business Mentor,
Sweet Spot Business Coaching
Sarah helps consultants, creatives, and coaches turn their expertise into a profitable business. Through her international training program, Beyond the Hourly Rate®, she teaches people who sell their time, the business skills they need to create a thriving business and consistently generate leads, clients, and revenue..
With 25 years of experience, including building and selling two successful businesses, she uses a values-driven approach to ensure her clients create a business they love!
Natalie Sisson
Holistic Life and Business Coach,
NatalieSisson.com
Natalie Sisson is a serial entrepreneur, Certified Holistic Life and Business Coach, and proud Mum of Leonardo. She is the founder of the $10K Club and LifePilot methodology, a three-time Amazon bestselling author, and TEDx speaker, specialising in empowering women in financial success.
Her superpower is helping people monetise their unique skills and passions to create a business that supports their ideal lifestyle.
Natalie has travelled to 70 countries, lived out of a suitcase for 7 years, won a gold medal at the Beach Ultimate Championships, broken a world record in dragon boating, cycled 6,500km down Africa. She lives with intention and purpose, dedicated to helping others realise their grand vision for life and business.
Leeann Bassett
Social Media Coach, Faceupnow.co.nz
Leanne helps busy small and medium business owners and their employees harness the power of social media to increase brand engagement and grow their businesses. She specialises in refreshing and optimizing LinkedIn profiles, building brand awareness, and creating successful sales pathways.
With 8 years of experience as a social media coach and trainer, Leanne has guided hundreds to step out of LinkedIn obscurity, unlocking new opportunities and business growth.
Peter Harris
Director, Maisey Harris & Co
As a Chartered Accountant at MHCo, Peter is passionate about helping clients and their businesses succeed. Partnering with Xero, MHCo provides real-time, relevant information, enabling better business decisions. Their unique approach includes offering fixed-price accounting services, allowing clients to focus on what matters most without worrying about their next accounting bill.
