Every year LIANZA recognises professional excellence and honours the contributions made by its members to the library and information profession in New Zealand.
The LIANZA Professional Awards were established in 1955 and recognise people who have contributed to a significant level to the work of the association and the library and information sector.
LIANZA Professional Recognition Awards include:
Fellowships
Associateships
Professional Excellence
Letter of Recognition
Joint Letter of Recognition for Bicultural Development
Honorary Life Membership
The LIANZA Professional Recognition Awards are managed by the LIANZA Credentials Committee.
"Being involved with LIANZA is an ongoing highlight and receiving a LIANZA Associateship was a proud moment. I've been chair and member of LIANZA Te Whakakitenga aa Kaimai, on the Credentials Committee, and currently a newbie member of the LIANZA Standing Committee on Copyright."
Lee Rowe Knowledge and Information Services Manager, Te Pūkenga, Toi Ohomai
LIANZA offers a variety of grants and awards to support projects, research and professional development within the library and information sector.
There are national grants and awards available annually, with some only offered biennially.
LIANZA National Grants include:
Rua Mano Grant - annual
Edith Jessie Carnell Grant - biennial, next offered in 2026
Ada Fache Grant - annual
John Harris Award - annual
All LIANZA National Grants and Awards are now judged by one panel of up to seven members made up from LIANZA Council, LIANZA Communities and Te Rōpū Whakahau, unless a bequest deed specifies differently. The panel may co-op relevant expertise if necessary.
In 2019 the Scholarships Working Group made recommendations about the existing scholarships offered by LIANZA.
The following terms were clarified and names of some existing scholarships were updated:
an award recognises an achievement that has already been completed
LIANZA offers annual awards to tertiary students at the Victoria University of Wellington and Open Polytechnic who are studying towards a library and information qualification and have been selected for the award by their tertiary institution.
