Meet the 2026 Clubs NZ Club & Community Award Judges

24 March 2026

This year’s Club & Community Awards are being judged by three people who know clubs and hospitality from the inside, bringing experience from operations, ownership, and national-level industry roles.

Each have been active across the country on site visits seeing what our finalists have to offer. Site visits played a big part in judging. Seeing how a club runs day-to-day gives a clear picture of whether standards are consistent. All have been impressed with the state of clubs in NZ and the efforts being made by teams to ensure members are cared for and clubs prosper. 

Let’s take a look at the judges and their judging experience…

David Barley

David has spent more than 40 years in hospitality, working across everything from bottle stores to bar ownership and food and beverage operations.

He visited three Christchurch clubs as part of the judging and came away impressed by the consistency.

David said all three clubs were running strong operations and clearly focused on their members. What stood out most was the effort from the people behind them.

David shared that facilities weren’t the defining factor. While some new look clubs are doing well, others are achieving just as much without the investment. The difference, he says, is in how they are run.

Scott McKenzie

Scott brings a strong on-premise background, having spent 19 years with Lion working closely with clubs in Christchurch. He is now National Sales Manager at Marisco Vineyards.

For Scott, what came through clearly is how clubs are improving, despite challenging economic times.

Staff were a major theme. They are the biggest cost, but also the biggest driver of success. 

Scott shared that the clubs that stood out had teams who took pride in what they were doing, from service through to the minute details.

Robin Donaldson

Robin Donaldson, owner of Speights Ale House, rounds out the judging panel.

As a current operator, he brings a practical perspective on what it takes to run a venue day-to-day, from service and atmosphere through to customer expectations.

Thank you to David, Scott and Robin for your time and energy. It is appreciated.

Judging is now complete and we are now in count down mode for the awards on Friday 27 March.

Good luck to our finalists.