Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze

March 26 2026, 11:30 pm | BY Ricki Green | No Comments

The Commercial Communications Council (Comms Council) tonight celebrated the pinnacle of creative achievement in Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2026 AXIS Awards, held at the Viaduct Event Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau.

 

Motion Sickness took home both the coveted Grand AXIS for The Māori Roll Call, created in partnership with Whānau Ora, and the coveted Agency of the Year title. The agency also scored five Gold, 10 Silver and 15 Bronze awards.

McCann, the newly formed combination of DDB and FCB, also had a huge night, taking home seven Gold, 17 Silver and 28 Bronze.

Other notable winners: Colenso BBDO won three Gold, four Silver and nine Bronze; Special scored one Gold, six Silver and 10 Bronze; Droga5 took home one Silver and five bronze; Pitchblack scored two Silver and four Bronze; and Daylight won one Gold, one Silver and two Bronze.

This year’s winners demonstrated exceptional creative excellence across all categories, with campaigns that not only captivated audiences but also showcased the strategic thinking, cultural insight, and technical mastery that defines New Zealand advertising at its finest. The winning work reflected a diverse range of creative approaches, from powerful storytelling that resonates with local communities to innovative executions that push the boundaries of the craft.

Major Award Winners:

Grand AXIS: The Māori Roll Call – Motion Sickness and Whānau Ora

Craft Grand AXIS: Booze Maths – The Sweetshop and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

Agency of the Year: Motion Sickness

Production Company of the Year: The Sweetshop

Client of the Year: Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency

Gold Winners:

Motion Sickness:
GRAND AXIS: Whānau Ora ‘The Māori Roll Call’
Karangahape Road Business Association ‘Karangahape Returns’
Karangahape Road Business Association ‘Karangahape Returns’
Heart of the City ‘Straight to the Heart’
Whānau Ora ‘The Māori Roll Call’
Whānau Ora ‘The Māori Roll Call’



McCann Aotearoa (FCB Aotearoa)
New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi ‘Speed Demons’
New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi ‘Booze Maths’
New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi ‘Speed Demons (Tailgator)’
New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi ‘Speed Demons’




Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze

McCann Aotearoa (DDB Group Aotearoa)
Samsung NZ ‘The Worst Children’s Library’
Samsung NZ ‘The Worst Children’s Library’
Vogel’s ‘Toastcards’


Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze

Colenso BBDO
Delivereasy ‘Crippled Pigeons’
Delivereasy ‘Killer Bees’
Delivereasy ‘Street Condoms’

Special
National Cyber Security Centre ‘How Exposed Am I?’


Daylight
The Spinoff ‘The Long Play’


Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze

Download the full list of winners here to view the Craft Winners and the Silver and Bronze winners.

 

The ceremony also recognised Judy Thompson with the Outstanding Contribution Award, honouring her significant impact on the advertising industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, over decades as one of New Zealand’s most talented agency producers.

Gary Steele, Chairperson of the Creative Council and Chief Creative Officer at McCann Aotearoa, presided over his final awards ceremony in the role. Under his leadership, the AXIS Awards have continued to set the benchmark for creative excellence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Says Steele: “Last night we gathered as a creative community to celebrate the best of Aotearoa. Work that makes us proud, work that makes us jealous and the work that pushes us forward as an industry. It was an evening of celebration of creativity that shows the rest of the world what we can do from this tiny strip of land we call home.”

Special Winners:

AXIS Student Challenge: Drop Zone Clinic Mary Crowe & Emma Clipstone
Craft Emerging Talent: Liv McClymont
Advertising Emerging Talent: Zac Riddell and Willow Whitham (Zac & Willow, pictured below)

Motion Sickness takes out Grand AXIS and coveted Agency of the Year title at the 46th AXIS Awards; McCann scores seven Gold, 17 Silver, 28 Bronze

The 2026 AXIS Awards celebrated campaigns that moved people, pushed creative boundaries, and demonstrated the exceptional talent within New Zealand’s advertising industry.

For more information about the AXIS Awards and this year’s winners, visit commscouncil.nz/ or follow the Comms Council social channels.

 

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