NZBA Competitions

Traditionally, the National Convention alternates between the North Island and South Island each year. At each National Convention there are 8 awards given out by the NZBA.

The Joy Morton Photographic Award

Entrants submit a photograph of one of their trees for judging.

Competition rules can be found here.

Past winners

2006: Louis Buckingham
2007: Les Simpson
2008: Les Simpson
2009: Louis Buckingham
2010: Joyce Adams 2012: Sean Heseltine

2014: Sam Brierley
2015: Peter Mudie
2016: Martin Walters
2017: Joy Morton 2019: Les Simpson 2023: Les Simpson

The Koru Award for Emerging Talent

Designed to help bring forward the next generation of bonsai demonstrators in New Zealand, entrants create a bonsai from raw material provided by the organisers within a time limit, and without assistance.

The resulting trees are judged by a panel of experts and the winner is awarded the trophy, an invitation to join the NZBA Demonstrators List and the challenge of demonstrating at the next National Convention.

Past koru award winners

2009: Peter Mudie
2010: Jan Letts
2014: Sam Brierley
2015: Wayne Gath
2016: Mark Poulter
2017: Adam Brook 2019: Aaron Beal 2023: Jacob Lavie

Suiseki Awards

The Suiseki Competition at the National Convention is divided into two categories: New Zealand Stones and Imported Stones.

Best NZ Stone Trophy Donated by Bob Langholm

Best NZ Stone donated by Bob Langholm

Previous Winners

2014: Lindsay Muirhead
2015: Jan Simmons
2016: Ross Dixon
2017: Ross Dixon 2019: David de Villiers 2023: Ross Dixon

2006: Lindsay Muirhead
2007: Wendy Gibb
2008: Joyce Duncan
2009: Lindsay Muirhead
2010: Michael Adams 2012: Ross Dixon

Lindsay Muirhead Trophy for Best Overall Stone

This award was awarded for the first time in 2019.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019: Michael Adams 2023: Ross Dixon

National Show Awards

Like the National Convention, the National Show rotates between major shows in North Island and South Island, where some of the best trees from around the country are on display.

Competition Rules are to be found here.

Colin Churchill Trophy

First awarded in 2009, the Colin Churchill Trophy is awarded to the best tree in the National Show.

Previous Winners

2009: Informal upright Black Beech, owned by Alan Van.
2014: White olive (buddleia saligna), owned by Poppie Engelbrecht
2015: Pine owned by Lindsay Muirhead
2016: Mugo pine owned by Martin Walters
2017: Chinese elm group owned by Marshall Gray 2019: Scots Pine owned by Martin Walters 2023: Hinoki Cypress owned by Dirk Goetze

Keith Lowe Trophy

First awarded in 2014, this trophy is awarded to the best New Zealand native tree in the National Show.

Previous Winners

2014: Kowhai group planting by Louise Macfaralane
2015: Shohin display by Sandra Quintal
2016: Kowhai group planting by Pene McApline
2017: Golden totara by Marie Dunbar 2019: Mirror tree owned by Peter Mudie 2023: Kowhai Sophora owned by Joy Morton

Alan Van Trophy

First awarded in 2014, this tropy is awarded to the best tree / pot combination in recognition of Alan’s expertise not just as a bonsai artist but as a potter as well.

Previous Winners

2014: Shohin corokia by Sandra Quintal
2015: Hornbeam by Lindsay Muirhead
2016: Juniper by Sam Brierley
2017: Chinese elm by Lindsay Muirhead 2019: Monterey Pine by Martin Walters 2023: Juniperus procumbens by Matt Huxtable

Shohin Trophy

Presented by Lindsay Muirhead and the New Zealand Shohin Club, this award was presented for the first time at the 2019 Convention in Hamilton.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2019: Sandra Quintal 2023: Sandra Quintal

Dianne Miller Vision to Reality Award

This award requires entrants to submit an illustrated history of one of their trees describing the development of the tree from its first beginnings through to the present day. Included in the essay are the reasons behind some of the design choices and what lessons have been learned from the development of the tree. As well as a certificate the winner receives a prize from the sponsor. This competition has now closed.

Previous Winners

2005: Jeff Richards
2006: Louis Buckingham
2007: Peter Mudie
2008: Malcolm Potts
2009: Basil Bryant
2010: Gloria Quintal