Celebrating Excellence: 2026 NZSDRT Conference Competition Winners
Updated: Sep 2
The NZSDRT Inc. 30th National Conference, held from 13–15 August 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, brought our profession together to learn, connect, celebrate, and showcase the extraordinary work happening through Diversional and Recreational Therapy across Aotearoa.
One of the highlights of this year's conference was our Conference Competition, celebrating therapeutic recreation programmes that demonstrate creativity, person-centred practice, meaningful participation, and the principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā.
From an outstanding group of finalists, we are delighted to celebrate our 2026 Judy Cooper Award recipient and Te Whare Tapa Whā Domain Champions.
2026 Judy Cooper Award — Kerrie Burrow
Cycling Without Age
Our highest congratulations go to Kerrie Burrow, recipient of the 2026 Judy Cooper Award, the premier recognition of the NZSDRT National Conference Competition.
Kerrie, a Registered Diversional and Recreational Therapist at O'Conor Home in Westport, championed Cycling Without Age, an international initiative that brings trishaw rides directly to residents of aged care facilities and wider communities.
At O'Conor Home, Kerrie has developed the initiative into a structured therapeutic programme that enables residents to move beyond the facility walls and reconnect with the life of their community.
The programme is a genuine collaborative effort between O'Conor Home and the wider Buller community, operating in partnership with the Kawatiri Nature Environmental and Communities Trust and supported by O'Conor Home staff and a network of local volunteer pilots.
Through Cycling Without Age, residents are given opportunities to experience their surroundings, participate in community life, and maintain meaningful connections beyond their home — beautifully demonstrating how Diversional and Recreational Therapy can create pathways for participation, belonging, and quality of life.
The Judy Cooper Award recognises exceptional Diversional and Recreational Therapy practice, innovation, professional excellence, and meaningful impact on the lives of the people we support.
Congratulations, Kerrie, on receiving the 2026 Judy Cooper Award and the highest recognition of our Conference Competition!
Watch Kerrie's Judy Cooper Award winning presentation:
Our 2026 Te Whare Tapa Whā Domain Champions
Four finalists were also recognised as Domain Champions, celebrating outstanding practice demonstrating the principles of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the contribution of purposeful therapeutic recreation to holistic wellbeing.
Taha Wairua Domain Champion — Trina Cox
Celebrating New Zealand/Kiwi Culture Through Therapeutic Recreation
Trina's programme demonstrates how New Zealand and Kiwi culture can be intentionally woven throughout therapeutic recreation rather than being celebrated through a single activity.
Through reminiscence, themed displays, discussions, community outings, quizzes, and culturally significant events, re
sidents are supported to reconnect with their identity, experiences, and sense of belonging.
Congratulations to Trina Cox, our 2026 Taha Wairua Domain Champion!
Taha Hinengaro Domain Champion — May Nacar
Connecting Through Nature: Therapeutic Van Outings & Creative Ginkgo Leaf Art
May brought together nature, community participation, and creativity through two complementary therapeutic recreation experiences.
Regular van outings enabled residents to explore local parks, lakes, and gardens, while naturally fallen ginkgo leaves collected along the way became part of a creative flower-making activity.
The programme encouraged creativity, reminiscence, social connection, appreciation of nature, and holistic wellbeing.
Congratulations to May Nacar, our 2026 Taha Hinengaro Domain Champion!
Taha Tinana Domain Champion — Barbara “Bobby” Gerneke
Dance for Dementia
Bobby's Dance for Dementia is a daily, person-centred dance therapy programme developed for residents living with moderate to advanced dementia.
Combining familiar music, movement, rhythm, reminiscence, and social connection, the programme provides meaningful opportunities for participation while supporting emotional wellbeing and helping reduce anxiety, agitation, restlessness, and social withdrawal.
Importantly, sessions are adapted to each person's abilities, cultural background, and preferences, creating opportunities to participate regardless of physical or cognitive limitations.
Congratulations to Barbara “Bobby” Gerneke, our 2026 Taha Tinana Domain Champion!
Taha Whānau Domain Champion — Elaine Martinez
Community Connections Programme
Elaine's Community Connections Programme demonstrates the power of keeping residents actively connected with the communities around them.
From farm visits, train rides, cultural gatherings and festivals to restaurant celebrations, flower shows, community events, and overnight excursions, residents are given diverse opportunities to participate beyond their home.
Community connection also comes into the home through school groups, daycare children, entertainers, volunteers, and local organisations.
Each experience is adapted around individual abilities, interests, and goals so that participation remains meaningful and inclusive.
Congratulations to Elaine Martinez, our 2026 Taha Whānau Domain Champion!
Meet our four 2026 Domain Champions and watch their presentations:
Celebrating All Our 2026 Finalists
Behind every competition entry was a story of people being supported to participate, connect, create, contribute, remember, experience joy, and maintain their identity.
We are incredibly proud to recognise all of our 2026 Conference Competition finalists:
Louise Dempsey — Music, Connection and Community: Rata Park Choir
Lovedeep Sandhu — Golden Gardeners of Avon Lifecare
Janette Birdsall — The Whare Tapa Whā Wellbeing Display
Mekiesha Waller — Empowering Inclusion Through Community Participation: Megan's Red Carpet Ball Journey
Elaine Martinez — Community Connections Programme
Barbara “Bobby” Gerneke — Dance for Dementia
May Nacar — Connecting Through Nature: Therapeutic Van Outings & Creative Ginkgo Leaf Art
Trina Cox — Celebrating New Zealand/Kiwi Culture Through Therapeutic Recreation
Kerrie Burrow — Cycling Without Age
Each finalist brought something unique to the competition, while collectively demonstrating what purposeful, person-centred Diversional and Recreational Therapy can achieve.
Watch all of our 2026 Conference Competition finalists:
More Than a Competition
The Conference Competition is not simply about selecting winners.
It gives our profession an opportunity to share practice, inspire one another, recognise innovation, and demonstrate the therapeutic outcomes behind the activities and experiences we facilitate every day.
These entries showed Te Whare Tapa Whā in action — supporting Taha Tinana, Taha Hinengaro, Taha Wairua and Taha Whānau through programmes grounded in people's strengths, interests, identities, relationships, and communities.
To our Judy Cooper Award recipient, our four Domain Champions, and every one of our finalists: thank you for sharing your mahi with our profession.
Your work represents the creativity, compassion, professionalism, and purpose of Diversional and Recreational Therapy.
Congratulations to our 2026 Conference Competition winners and finalists!
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