An internationally-renowned creative arts school, which counts Sir Richard Taylor and Kate Sylvester among its graduates, has been named the supreme winner at this year's Wellington Gold Awards.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Massey University College of Creative Arts was the Supreme Winner at the 2018 Wellington Gold Awards.

Massey University College of Creative Arts (COCA) was handed the award by Finance Minister Grant Robertson at an event at TSB Arena on Thursday night. It was also the recipient of the Creative Gold award.

Wellington Gold Awards director John Dow said the judges recognised the "importance and impact" COCA had had on Wellington's creative and cultural life, as well as its contribution to the city's international reputation.

"The partnerships and collaborations they have constructed and continue to make work for the creative industries are outstanding, and they are constantly investing in new ideas, people and resources to keep abreast of a very dynamic creative economy and world."

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COCA was founded 132 years ago. It employs 429 academic and professional staff, and last year, it attracted more than 1700 students to the capital, including 100 international students.

"The scale and range of their whole operation is quite extensive, and reaches right across the creative world of Wellington," Dow said.

The college is the only New Zealand design school to be ranked in the top 100 for art and design by World University QS subject area rankings.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Dame Winnie Laban, pictured with her husband Dr Peter Swain, received the The Dominion Post Tribute to a Wellington Icon award.

Established in 1999, the Wellington Gold Awards celebrates the excellence and the enterprise of business in the Wellington region.

About 900 people gathered at this year's event to celebrate and acknowledge the 57 finalists that are leading the capital's growth.

The 2018 finalists represented a thoughtful, sophisticated and compassionate group of Wellington businesses, Dow said.

In addition to the company awards, two individuals were also recognised.

Well-respected Pasifika leader Dame Luamanuvao Winnie Laban received the The Dominion Post Tribute to a Wellington Icon award.

Laban, who was the first Pacific Island woman Member of Parliament, has worked as Victoria University's assistant vice-chancellor for eight years giving direction and support to Pacific students and staff which has seen an increase in enrolments and achievement.

Laban worked "tirelessly" to bring people together for positive and meaningful outcomes and results, Dow said.

She became a Dame Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for her services to education and the Pacific community earlier this year.

Silvia Zuur​ was the recipient of the New Thinking Award.

Zurr was a young social entrepreneur who believed in supporting people and organisations to "do stuff that matters", Dow said.

"She has been a driving force within the Enspiral Collective entity that is a network of skilled, talented and experienced consultants working throughout the world and Dev Academy an innovative technology training social enterprise."

The 2018 Wellington Gold Awards are held in association with The Dominion Post.

2018 Wellington Gold Awards winners:

SUPREME WINNER: Massey University College of Creative Arts (COCA)

CREATIVE GOLD: Massey University College of Creative Arts (COCA)

CYBER GOLD: Orbitremit

DISCOVERING GOLD: Mundesine by Ferrier Research Institute﻿

EMERGING GOLD – PRODUCTS: Sharesies

EMERGING GOLD - SERVICES: Mevo

GLOBAL GOLD​: Tekron International

SUPPORTING GOLD: Griffiths Drilling

VIBRANT GOLD: Visa Wellington On a Plate

BEST PRACTICES (WORKPLACE SAFETY AWARD): New Zealand Racing Board

GREEN GOLD: Flight Plastics

TEAM GOLD: Phil&teds

THE DOMINION POST TRIBUTE TO A WELLINGTON ICON: Dame Luamanuvao Winnie Laban

NEW THINKING AWARD: Silvia Zuur