NZ Line Dance Awards – Celebrating Passion, Dedication, Community
View Award Categories 

Celebrating the Best of Line Dance in New Zealand

The Linedance NZ Awards celebrate the finalists chosen from across the New Zealand line dance community — the people and clubs who show up, give back, and make this scene what it is.

From passionate instructors and creative choreographers to tireless volunteers and welcoming clubs, these awards shine a light on the individuals and groups who go above and beyond. Cast your vote for the finalists below and help recognise the talent and dedication across Aotearoa.

Voting is now open — thank you to everyone who helped shape the finalist list. Choose one finalist in each category below.

The 2026 awards will be presented live at The Line Up — August 2026.

5Award Categories
AUGThe Line Up 2026
★Finalists Announced
NZCommunity Voted

2026 Award Categories

2026 Finalists

Meet this year's finalists across all five award categories.

Finalists are listed equally and in no particular order, based on community nominations. Winners will be announced at The Line Up in August 2026.

Vote for your favorite finalists

Select one finalist in each category and submit your vote once. Your vote will be recorded.

Thanks, your vote has been recorded.
You can close this page or review the finalists below.
Instructor of the Year

Instructor of the Year Finalists

Technique Dedication Support Enjoyment
Debbie Hopkinson headshot

Debbie Hopkinson Galaxy, Timaru

Described as "Galaxy's shining star" - full of personality, patience and humour. Debbie tailors dances to each class, revises thoroughly so nobody feels silly, and has grown attendance with a welcoming, family feel that's especially kind to beginners and newcomers to Timaru.

Donna Brooke headshot

Donna Brooke Salty Steppers

High-energy and joyful, Donna teaches across several Coromandel towns, runs free beginner classes, and has a gift for making everyone laugh while learning fast. She founded Salty Steppers from scratch and built a thriving community in barely a year.

Christine Stewart headshot

Christine Stewart Silver Lining

A calm, patient, professional teacher who breaks every dance into manageable parts, names the steps correctly and uses a clear "I do, you do, we do" method. Nominators love her wide range of music and levels, her well-kept website with videos and step sheets, and the warm, inclusive community she builds - all of which she keeps going through her own health challenges.

Catherine Turner headshot

Catherine Turner Boots Out East

Catherine grew Boots Out East from a handful of dancers under the Howick RSA to around 300 members across a dozen classes a week. Nominators highlight her clear, fun, inclusive teaching, themed stomp-downs, outings (high teas, the Waiheke barn dance), international guest workshops with Josh Talbot, and charity fundraisers - all at just $5 a class.

Sue Wellesley-Davies headshot

Sue Wellesley-Davies Country Heartbeat

Founder of Country Heartbeat across Kumeu, Dairy Flat and Silverdale, Sue is praised again and again for teaching every level with patience and humour, greeting each dancer by name at the door, and her clever back-row helper system so beginners are never lost. She ran six months of free online classes through COVID, mentors dancers into competing, choreographing and starting their own classes, leads flash mobs and festival sets (she opened Summer in the Parks and taught a 2,000-strong crowd at Brisbane's CMC Festival), and organises overseas dance trips.

Line Dance Club of the Year

Line Dance Club of the Year Finalists

Inclusiveness Growth Atmosphere Engagement
Galaxy headshot

Galaxy Timaru / South Canterbury

A thriving, fast-growing club praised for its warm welcome, strong beginner retention and diverse membership. Dancers single out the faultless socials, the friendly drama-free atmosphere, and instructor Debbie Hopkinson - one travelling dancer called it the most fun, welcoming group they'd found anywhere in NZ.

Boots Out East headshot

Boots Out East Howick / Pakuranga

A large, inclusive club led by Catherine Turner, with day and evening classes, regular themed stomp-downs, trips away, guest-choreographer workshops and plenty of community demonstrations. Members describe it as "one big family" where experienced dancers happily help the newer ones.

Silver Lining headshot

Silver Lining Christine Stewart's club

Run by Christine Stewart for more than 15 years, Silver Lining is a friendly, welcoming club spanning absolute beginner to advanced, regularly opening new beginner classes to bring more people in. Nominators praise its beautiful choreography and a leader whose commitment never wavers, even through health challenges.

Salty Steppers headshot

Salty Steppers Coromandel

Founded in September 2025, Salty Steppers rocketed from about 40 members to more than 200 across Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata. Nominators celebrate its inclusiveness, free beginner classes, beach "Sandy Stomp" dances (complete with drone footage), and an already-planned Ireland tour - a small-town club with a huge heart, led by Donna Brooke.

Country Heartbeat headshot

Country Heartbeat Kumeu / West Auckland

A roughly ten-year-old club led by Sue Wellesley-Davies that welcomes every age and ability - from babies in arms to senior dancers, including dancers with special needs. Known for regular themed socials and for putting line dancing in front of the public at the Kumeu Show, the Santa parade, and Starship and Dairy Flat Hall fundraisers.

NZ Choreographer of the Year

NZ Choreographer of the Year Finalists

Originality Quality Adoption NZ Scene
Pauline Gilroy headshot

Pauline Gilroy

Distinctive choreography that fuses Kapa Haka and Te Ao Maori movement with line dancing - dances like Koira and Calling Me Home. Nominators describe the emotion, storytelling and cultural pride she brings to the floor, with 20 dances now on Copperknob.

John Severinsen headshot

John Severinsen

Praised for strong, original song choices and steps that aren't run-of-the-mill - dances such as Twice as Much Tomorrow, 23 Again and Change Your World. His choreography is precise and flows beautifully around the floor, and his beginner dances go down well when clubs teach them.

Chrissie Trent headshot

Chrissie Trent Vicky Linedance

A prolific choreographer of 30-plus dances that are accessible (mostly intermediate) and picked up by clubs nationwide. She's known for choosing NZ music - Pepeha, White Noise, Serendipity - and recently won awards at Dunedin. Several nominators want to see her hard work get the recognition it deserves.

Christine Stewart headshot

Christine Stewart Silver Lining

More than 60 dances since 2012, across every level, often set to meaningful NZ music - she's choreographed to Six60, Stan Walker, LAB and Kaylee Bell. Nominators love her frequent split-floor options so everyone can join in, her award-winning routines, and the way her dances turn up on club lists right across the country.

Sue Wellesley-Davies headshot

Sue Wellesley-Davies Country Heartbeat

Eight-plus years of choreographing fun, accessible dances across all levels, including themed routines (like a Halloween "Thriller" dance) and award-winning intermediate work. Her choreography has been showcased on big stages, from an Auckland Council event to a 200-strong class in Australia.

NZ Line Dance Personality of the Year

NZ Line Dance Personality of the Year Finalists

Contribution Impact Positivity Enjoyment
Phoenix Adamson headshot

Phoenix Adamson Phoenix Line Dancers

A warm, smiling face on the dance floor who travels the country to dance, always helping struggling dancers find their steps, welcoming newcomers, and collating and sharing dance information with everyone.

Janine Kells headshot

Janine Kells Rhythm n Lines

Founder and star leader of Rhythm n Lines, built during the pandemic on strong values of inclusiveness and community. She's supported sister clubs to form and inspired members into choreographing, competing, and simply enjoying their dancing - with members crediting her for both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Sonny Jackson headshot

Sonny Jackson Sonny Boy Line Dancers

A humble, welcoming presence in Lower North Island line dancing who makes the hardest dances look effortless, never looks down on beginners, and quietly dances alongside anyone who's struggling. A genuine supporter of many clubs and of the wider community.

Sue Wellesley-Davies headshot

Sue Wellesley-Davies Country Heartbeat

One of the most positive, welcoming figures in Auckland line dancing - she remembers everyone's name, brings high energy rain or shine, and makes every dancer feel valued. For many, her class is simply their happy place.

Christine Stewart headshot

Christine Stewart Silver Lining

Friendly, cheeky and fun, with a lovely sense of humour that flows through to her dancers. A warm, inclusive presence who also turns up to support other clubs' socials around the country.

Humbled by Your Support ♡
Thank you to everyone who nominated Chris Brocklesby and voted him into the Top 5. Your support is genuinely appreciated. To keep the inaugural LDNZ Awards fair and transparent, Chris has chosen to step aside from the Personality Award finalists, as he is the founder of Line Dance NZ, the organisation presenting the awards.

Sweet As Award

Sweet As Award Finalists

Long-term Impact Behind the Scenes Dedication
Lana Doublet headshot

Lana Doublet Linedance Christchurch

The quiet engine behind the scenes at Line Dance Christchurch and many events - door sales, registrations, organising tables at socials, and welcoming everyone as they arrive, you name it Lana has done it with her positive smile and friendly personality. Nominators value her steady, unsung volunteer work that keeps the club running smoothly.

Louisa Alix headshot

Louisa Alix Raglan / Whaingaroa

A professional dancer who gives her time freely - teaching free weekly lessons at the Raglan Club for around four years. She's grown the local scene from a handful to 25-40+ dancers, warmly welcomes travellers and backpackers, supports NZ choreographers, and leads high-visibility performances at community events.

Sue Wilson and Danuta Newport headshot

Sue Wilson and Danuta Newport Sioux Linedance NZ

Sue, Danuta and Sioux Line Dance NZ Team across Motueka, Mapua and Richmond, over the years have raised more than $100,000 for Nelson Tasman Hospice through dancing and inventive fundraising - even creating a "Hand Up for Hospice" dance and running a dedicated two-day social with every dollar donated, working directly with the hospice to fund specific needs like a syringe driver or a day of care.

Donna Brooke headshot

Donna Brooke Salty Steppers

Brought line dancing to small Coromandel towns, runs free weekly beginner classes and quietly waives fees for anyone who can't pay. She's also active on community committees (including advocating for the Tairua River Trail) and built a 200-strong dancing family in under a year.

Christine Stewart headshot

Christine Stewart Silver Lining

Over 15 years running Silver Lining, Christine organises workshops with UK and Australian choreographers, hosts regional socials (often tied to causes such as mental health), keeps her community informed of events nationwide, and gives generously of her time despite ongoing health challenges.