05 Sep 2025
Choral singing brings joy to audiences, somethings that’s been recognised with major accolades this week. We think the New Zealand Choral Federation says this best, so we’re sharing their release about recognition of their artform.
The World Choir Games 2024 has been recognised with two of the most prestigious accolades at the NZEA New Zealand Event Awards 2025, held on Tuesday night at Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton.
The international choral festival was named Major or Mega Event of the Year, joining the ranks of past winners such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and Rugby World Cup 2021, and was also voted by the public as New Zealand’s Favourite Event.
The awards ceremony, attended by more than 400 industry leaders, honoured excellence across the events sector nationwide.
A Global Celebration of Song
In July 2024, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland welcomed over 11,000 singers from 42 countries for the World Choir Games – the world’s largest international choral festival and competition.
Across its 11 days, the Games brought the city alive with:
- 49 competition categories across six central-city venues
- 6 spectacular ceremonies at Spark Arena
- 9 Celebration Concerts and 16 workshops
- 54 Friendship Concerts at a further 15 venues across the region
- a vibrant waterfront street parade attended by thousands
- more than 25,000 audience members enjoying over 800 performances.
At a national level, the event generated 81,676 international visitor nights and contributed nearly $20 million in tourism expenditure to the country.
Special recognition goes to Artistic and Games Director John Rosser CNZM and Executive Director Kylie Sealy, who led a local organising team of 56, supported by 360 volunteers, 100+ crew, and over 1,165 local performers, all pouring their energy and talent into creating an unforgettable festival.
Kylie Sealy comments “These awards are a tribute to the incredible team, partners and suppliers who made the Games possible. Hosting the World Choir Games in Aotearoa gave us the chance to share our music with the world, and this recognition is an extraordinary way to close a five-year journey.”
John Rosser notes: “We hold many events in the choir world but almost never of a scale to attract national recognition. Seeing our beloved Games not only in contention for these prestigious awards but on top of the podium will bring immense pride to choral singers throughout Aotearoa NZ, and even beyond our shores.”
The World Choir Games 2024 was presented by the New Zealand Choral Federation (NZCF) in partnership with international choral event organisation INTERKULTUR, and was made possible through the support of New Zealand Major Events and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, who backed the event from the initial bid process to the final standing ovation.
Accepting the Major Event of the Year award, NZCF Chief Executive Christine Argyle reflected that “the World Choir Games was more than an event - it was a celebration of unity, culture and the human voice. This award affirms what we felt in every note sung, every connection made and every moment shared: that the Games were truly remarkable.”
In receiving the NZ’s Favourite Event award, she added “to be chosen by the public as their favourite event means so much to us and tells us that the World Choir Games didn’t just impress, it connected - resonating with thousands of New Zealanders who felt the joy, the unity and the magic of voices raised together in song.”
For more information please contact:
Kylie Sealy, Executive Director, World Choir Games 2024
kylie.sealy@wcg2024.co.nz or 021 435 777
John Rosser, Artistic & Games Director, World Choir Games 2024
john.rosser@wcg2024.co.nz or 027 493 0606
Christine Argyle, Chief Executive, New Zealand Choral Federation
ceo@nzcf.org.nz or 027 499 8883
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