McCann NZ, Special NZ + Colenso lead the pack as 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa finalists are revealed
The Comms Council has announced the finalists for the 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa, in association with TVNZ.
This year’s finalists represent work from across Aotearoa’s advertising and marketing industry that has progressed to the final stage of the Effie Awards, with 124 finalist places across 25 categories.
McCann New Zealand leads the way with 23 finalists apiece, followed by Special New Zealand with 16, Colenso BBDO with 13 and TBWA\New Zealand with 10. EightyOne (9), Motion Sickness (7), Saatchi & Saatchi (6) and Quantum Jump (5) round out the leading agencies.
The most-shortlisted campaign is Special‘s ‘How Exposed Am I?’ for the National Cyber Security Centre, which is a finalist in five categories. Bad Magic‘s ‘The Recorder That Moved a Government’ for NZEI Te Riu Roa and McCann New Zealand‘s ‘Cheat Codes’ for Mercury follow with four finalist places each. Colenso BBDO has six finalist places for BNZ across two campaigns.
The Effies recognise marketing effectiveness, with entries assessed on the strength of their strategic thinking, creative execution and, importantly, the results they deliver.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa on Thursday 22 October.
The awards bring the industry together to recognise the people and teams behind this year’s effective work. Tickets are on sale now, with ticket sales closing and all guest dietary requirements due by 4pm on Thursday 8 October.
View the full list of 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa finalists: commscouncil.nz/awards/effie/results
Get tickets to the 2026 Effie Awards Aotearoa: events.humanitix.com/2026-effie-awards
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