NZDA HISTORY

The New Zealand Dance Awards was established in 2013 with the aim of building a premier dance event that was produced in New Zealand for New Zealand. NZDA is produced each year in partnership between Garden City Tappers & Performing Arts Association Inc. and Pegasus Productions Ltd.

Since 2013 we have seen the competition grow year on year with 1000's of kiwi kids taking part where it has now become part of the fabric of the New Zealand dance community. From humble beginnings in a school hall with a loyal local supporter base this competition has upsized each year having moved through bigger school halls and the Ara Institute of Canterbury gymnasium and event space. As the competition has reached new heights it has taken in more competitors from across the country now truely a platform for New Zealands best tallent.

Our 10th Season in 2022 brought the opportunity to start the next phase of this home grown event by taking it on the road to six locations for Regionals across New Zealand. To celebrate our 10th Birthday our national finals were held at the newly completed Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre for the first time.

Through our previous 10 seasons we have given out cash scholarships, sent students to the Broadway Dance Centre in New York City and shared amazing prizes through our connection with our amazing supporters in the dance industry.

The New Zealand Dance Awards is about bridging the gap between competitions and the industry which is why we bring the industry to the competitors offering not just a competition but the chance to connect, Take workshops and meet new people from other parts of New Zealand, Australia and the USA. 

We take pride in our judges who join the NZDA family in knowing that we are selecting people who can thrive within the atmosphere that we build and bring a level of professionalism and fun that will rub off onto our amazing kiwi kids.

Here at NZDA we LOVE NZ and we LOVE DANCE and we can't wait to see you across Season 11!

Pegasus Productions is a family business that creates opportunities in the performing arts both locally within Christchurch and Nationally. Simon Goudie and Kirsty Allpress who own the company have a strong presence within the New Zealand industry and have made great international connections. Their passion is to bring the world to kiwi kids feet and to help them realise their full potential while working to break any barriers that might stand in the way. Simon and Kirsty are humbled to have been able to help create the New Zealand Dance Awards into what it is today.

Garden City Tappers & Performing Arts Association (Inc) was established in 1979 and has held annual competitions ever since. Currently Running a Novice & Restricted Weekend, Festival of Dance and the New Zealand Dance Awards.
Garden City Tappers mission is to encourage young dancers to realise their potential by giving them the platform to perform and hone their talents.
We thank our partners who donate their time and resource to enable us  to provide the level of competition and production values that makes this competitions a success.