Auckland, New Zealand — Dawn Aerospace has been awarded the Supreme Award at the 27th AmCham–DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, recognising outstanding achievement by New Zealand companies doing business with the United States.
The judges highlighted Dawn Aerospace’s exceptional technological innovation, strong international ambition, and rapidly expanding commercial footprint in the US. The company’s partnerships with American organisations — including its agreement to establish spaceplane operations in Oklahoma — demonstrate its evolution from breakthrough engineering to building enduring commercial relationships. Dawn Aerospace stands as a leading example of Kiwi innovation competing at the frontier of the global aerospace sector.
The awards dinner also celebrated a diverse group of New Zealand companies making an impact in the US market, spanning crime‑prevention software, medtech, cultural creative services, FMCG, sustainability, and investment.
US Ambassador Jared Novelly presented 25‑year membership awards to Christchurch Engine Centre and Westpac Bank, and awarded Investor of the Year (to or from the USA) to Bridgewest Venture Fund.
The Hon Mark Mitchell presented four category awards and joined Selina Deadman, Vice President Commercial New Zealand, DHL Express, to present the Supreme Award.
Deadman praised the calibre of this year’s winners, noting: “It was a pleasure to attend the AmCham Awards last night and celebrate the innovation, resilience and global ambition of New Zealand businesses succeeding in the United States.” She offered special congratulations to Alimetry, winner of the DHL Emerging Exporter to the USA Award, and Dawn Aerospace for securing the Supreme Award.
All category winners received a United Airlines airfare to anywhere in the USA. Dawn Aerospace also receives US$5,000 in advisory services from SweeneyVesty, plus introductions to venture capitalists, US economic development agencies, and other strategic partners. Over 26 years, sponsors have contributed more than US$400,000 in prizes to award recipients.
2026 Award Winners
The awards are supported by AmCham, DHL Express, United Airlines, gold sponsors ANZ Bank, Inspire Labs, Lockheed Martin New Zealand, SweeneyVesty, and silver sponsors Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property and Buckley Systems. Additional supporters include The Business (media), Constellation Brands (wine), and Event Revolution (event management).
Past Supreme Award winners include many of New Zealand’s most successful international companies, such as Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Fonterra, Zespri International, Vista Entertainment, Seequent, Oritain Global, Auror Ltd, and Windcave.
