Surprise factor wows Dame Suzie in Trees of Remembrance contest

16 January 2026

Nelson Airport Chief Executive Brendan Cook being presented a certificate by Nelson Tasman Hospice Chief executive Tony Gray — Nelson Airport Chief Executive Brendan Cook with Nelson Tasman Hospice Chief Executive Tony Gray

The winners of the 2025 Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance campaign have been announced, with innovative newcomer Digital Diligence taking top honours in this year’s fun competition for a cause.

Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance is an annual fundraising and awareness campaign for Nelson Tasman Hospice, where local businesses sponsor and decorate Christmas trees that go on display in the airport terminal over the busy summer travel period. The trees are judged by celebrity judge Dame Suzie Moncrieff (founder of the World of WearableArt) and by the travelling public, who vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice competition.

Over the past three years, the campaign has raised $124,700 for hospice, including $49,000 in 2025.

Digital Diligence was named this year’s Overall Winner at a prizegiving ceremony at Nelson Tasman Hospice yesterday, after impressing Dame Suzie with its “totally unexpected tree topper”.

The technology company’s topper was a digital slideshow displaying the Digital Diligence logo, images of their projects and their team.

“I love the innovation, creativity and the way in which it showcases the Digital Diligence brand and work,” Dame Suzie said.

Hamish Fletcher Lawyer’s took home the People’s Choice prize, with a tree themed around their company values of being connected, tenacious, attentive and dynamic.

There were 15 generous sponsor businesses involved in this year’s campaign, lighting up the terminal with creativity and Christmas cheer.

Hospice Head of Supporter Engagement Donna Ching-Tregidga said: “We are grateful for Nelson Airport’s leadership and support of this special initiative and to all the businesses that sponsored and decorated their tree. The Nelson Airport Trees of Remembrance has not only become a vital fundraiser for the service, but also a special activation for visitors to the airport during this festive period. We were blown away by the creativity from all the businesses and loved seeing people engaging with the trees. All funds raised will go towards helping us to continue to provide free hospices services to 1 in 3 people that die in our community this year.”

Nelson Airport Head of Corporate Services Beth Catley said the event had again proven a hit with the thousands of travellers in the terminal over the festive season.

“The trees were beautiful and provided a wonderful showcase of the variety of experiences and services offered by our local business community – as well as building awareness of the vital services provided by our hospice. Kids had a great time playing “The Great Bauble Hunt”, where they searched for a special decoration on each tree to be in to win a ride on the airport fire truck Flick.”

Digital Diligence takes home a prize package including a year’s free corporate parking at Nelson Airport, a $250 grazing box from Gourmet Catering, a Nelson Tasman Monopoly and Top Trumps game donated by the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, and a corporate stress management course “How to Boil a Frog” delivered by Christen Killick of Making Teams Work.

Hamish Fletcher Lawyers will receive 10 NBS Nelson Giants tickets, Nelson Tasman Monopoly and Top Trumps games, and a professional photography shoot by Sarah Burton Studio.

One lucky voter in the People’s Choice competition wins flights for two to Wellington with Originair, while the Great Bauble Hunt winner will enjoy a tour of Nelson Airport’s airfield and a ride on Flick the airport fire engine. The winners of these prizes will be drawn and announced today.

The tree sponsors for 2025 were: