The ONYAs - a celebration of New Zealand's web industry

We’ve had a few queries from people who’ll be entering the ONYAs asking the best way to go about it, or the appropriate category, or even what we’ll be looking for. So here’s a brief guide to entering.

We’re expecting that people (the agencies or internal teams) will enter themselves for the awards. The ONYAs are about recognising the work that the industry does – the awards will go to the people who did the great work:  the HTML, or the design, or developed the application. It makes sense to us that you’re proud of your work, and you think it’s good, that you stand behind it and you’d love for it to be recognised!

An exception to people entering their own work may the the “Most Outstanding Website” category. If a number of agencies have collaborated on the site, it may make sense for the site owner to enter on behalf of these agencies.

The work you’ve done is probably a whole lot better than you think. Maybe it’s a Kiwi thing, but we do have a tendency to downplay our accomplishments. Don’t get hung up on thinking what you’ve done isn’t good enough – if you’re thinking that, chances are it’s good enough! Yes, the ONYAs are about celebrating excellence, and yes, the judging panel is scarily-good, but the work done here in New Zealand is equally good. Know that, and let others know about it.

Ok, so that said, here’s something else to think about it. You know the Oscar category for “Best Song”? Invariably it’s for a song in a film that’s crap may not be as good. The ONYAs have a number of categories and judging is strictly within the parameters of those categories. The site as a whole doesn’t need to be perfect in order for your work in a particular category to be enter; to become a finalist; to win. If you’re entering one of the content categories, you won’t be judged on the quality of the site’s HTML, or the beauty of its design.

A site can be entered in multiple categories. Yes, we know there’s the potential for the ‘Titanic’ of New Zealand websites to sweep the awards, but you know what, if it’s good enough, it deserves to be celebrated.

Finally, and most crucially, we need your support. The support of the industry is crucial to the success of the ONYAs. We’re launching the awards because we think it’s important and we think the time is right. This is not a soulless, moneymaking venture. This is a celebration of the craft of making great websites.  But we can’t enter for you – that’s where you come in!

Oh, and this is the first year of the ONYAs. We won’t have got everything right. We welcome your feedback on any issues. Unfortunately, neither the Webstock management nor the ONYA judges are bribable. We wish it were otherwise.

So, what are you waiting for – Enter now!