30 year anniversary
Thanks to its 30-year anniversary celebrations, the 2025 AIMES Awards Gala Dinner out-sold its usual venue, the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna.
Shifting the event to central city venue Shed 10 proved less daunting than expected for Louise O’Sullivan, Events Manager, North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust, thanks to both venues sitting within ACVE’s portfolio.
"Because the team was the same, it made it easy even though we had to make some changes. They know our event, so I didn’t have to explain it to a whole new team. Everyone really enjoyed being somewhere different. It was one our best gala dinners."
Louise O’Sullivan, Events Manager, North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust
The annual event sees the North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust award grants through their AIMES Awards programme to outstanding young people in the North Harbour region, aged 13 to 25, who are achieving excellence in the Arts, Innovation (Science & Technology), Music, Education (Academic Excellence), Sport; and Service to the Community.
The programme needed to incorporate a premium gala dinner and awards ceremony experience for over 500 people, plus staging and production for performances by the young winners and alumni, including a full orchestra.
It was no mean feat to take this from a dedicated theatre set-up to the flat-floor open space of Shed 10, but the venue ticked the boxes: more space, room to construct a large stage, good sound quality, and wow factor, O’Sullivan says. “And price. Because we’re a charity, we needed a venue that could give us the best deal.”
To mark the event’s 30th anniversary, it had a 1920s ‘Great Gatsby’ theme, which suited the heritage stylings of Shed 10.
“Shed 10 has that rustic look but it worked nicely once we added lighting and certain props and everyone dressed up – we didn’t have to go overboard,” O’Sullivan notes.
The event’s usual lighting provider La Lumiere put up fairy lights and glass pendants, and tables were set with centrepieces featuring pearls and ostrich feathers. Benefitz provided a themed backdrop for the stage and giant cut-out champagne glasses and balloons. Two vintage cars were parked outside, and guests were encouraged to dress up in theme.
The North Harbour Club & Charitable Trust is a North Shore-focussed organisation, but O’Sullivan says Shed 10’s Viaduct location made it easy to get to by ferry, bus or Uber. “Plus we put together packages with local hotels for accommodation specials for those wanting to make a ‘stay-cay’ weekend of it.”
O’Sullivan says the highlight was the amazing showcase of young talent, including the winners, alumni and students from North Harbour schools. Performances ranged from an orchestra to an opera singer and a 1920s-themed dance to Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’.
“When you see it all come together on the night, and the talent on display, it really blows you away.”
Show email Show phone number