Toi Ohomai Academic Receives President's Citation from the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Suveryors

Toi Ohomai Senior Academic Staff Member – Engineering and Built Environment, Emmolina May, has been recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS), receiving the President's Citation Award at the organisation's 2026 annual conference.

Emmolina was presented with the award by NZIQS President, Stu Watson, at the International Convention Centre in Auckland on Thursday, 2 July.

The President's Citation is a significant professional honour, awarded in recognition of outstanding service and contribution to the quantity surveying profession nationally, as well as to NZIQS. 

Emmolina was recognised for her ongoing contribution to strengthening connections between education and industry, supporting the development of future quantity surveyors, promoting greater contractual awareness and professional practice, and encouraging a more diverse and inclusive quantity surveying workforce.

In a LinkedIn post, NZIQS thanked Emmolina for her leadership and willingness to give back to the industry, saying her contribution will have a lasting impact.

Toi Ohomai Programme Manager – Engineering and Built Environment, Rachel Beaton, says Emmolina's recognition is well deserved, given the momentum she has built through industry liaison and collaboration in recent years.

“It is wonderful to see Emmolina's contributions to the industry acknowledged at a national level," Rachel says. 

“Emmolina's dedication to promoting educational pathways, strengthening relationships with industry stakeholders, and creating meaningful and engaging opportunities for our ākonga (students) is truly making a difference.”

Emmolina says she is honoured to have received this year's NZIQS President's Citation, both personally and as a representative of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

"It reflects my work across industry leadership, education, and advocacy for quantity surveying as a profession, and highlights the value Toi Ohomai brings to the wider construction and quantity surveying profession," Emmolina says.

The NZIQS Annual Conference brought together more than 550 quantity surveyors, industry leaders and partners from across New Zealand and overseas for three days of connection, collaboration and professional development in Auckland from 1 to 3 July. 

This year's conference theme, Rise Together, gave attendees the opportunity to explore industry trends, share knowledge and strengthen professional relationships.