Aaron Joines Named 2026 Mana Influencer for His Commitment to the Sign Industry
Aaron Joines from Alternative Graphics has been named the winner of the 2026 Mana Influencer Award at the NZ Sign Display Awards of Excellence, recognising his leadership, generosity and ongoing commitment to the industry.
The Mana Influencer Award recognises people who demonstrate leadership, courage and strong ethics, while going above and beyond for their industry and community.
Melissa Coutts nominated Aaron for his continued involvement in the industry, from hosting regional meetings to attending careers evenings and sharing his knowledge with young people.
“Aaron is always leading from the top in his local area. Any assistance that the Association needs, Aaron is the first one to offer and put up his hand,” Melissa said. “Aaron has a real passion for youth and an excellent advocate influencing them with his character, wit and knowledge of sign making.”
For Aaron, the announcement came as a complete surprise.
“To be totally honest I never thought that my name was even going to be announced, I was about to get up and go to the loo. But thought I’d wait to see who got it before I left the room. I don’t think it really sank in until my wife Amber was in total hysterics and screaming, then hugged me.”
“It was definitely an awesome feeling of love from so many of our NZSDA family. Coming every year to the Sign Awards and the conference, we are meeting new people and seeing the regular faces, and they all now feel like a family of Signees that we see once a year. Being recognised by everyone felt like a huge sense of accomplishment.”
For Aaron, mana is closely connected to strength, determination and perseverance.
“‘MANA’ to me means strong. Some days I feel like this and some days not so much. Some days I feel like running a company can give you strength or take it away.”
“I’ve now been in this industry for just over 30 years, and I’m still learning. I’m not the type of guy to say I know it all. And I don’t feel like I’ve ever met someone who does.”
“I’ve always felt like the meaning of life is to not give up, being motivated to get out of bed and go be the best you possibly can in the role that you were given/choose to do every day.”
Aaron’s commitment to the industry extends well beyond his own workshop. He regularly connects with schools and careers programmes to show young people what is possible within sign making.
“Having students into our workshop and showing them just what we can make and achieve, and then they say stuff like ‘Wow that is sooooo cool!’ Really makes me feel like maybe one of them might get inspired by what I’m doing.”
Alternative Graphics has taken part in the last two National Sign Making Days. He believes more sign shops need to take the initiative when it comes to promoting the industry. His advice to other sign makers is simple: make contact with your local schools, connect with careers teachers and Gateway facilitators, and invite students into your workshop.
“Drive to the school, walk into the reception/office and ask who their careers people are, then connect with them, tell them about National Sign Making Day. And let’s get more students in.”
Aaron also sees enormous value in sign makers supporting one another and sharing knowledge. “Just get out there and touch base with like-minded Signees, create a group chat, get conversations started and help each other.”
For Aaron, that sense of connection is one of the best things about being involved with the NZSDA.
“If you’re thinking of joining the NZSDA, do it! You’ll create friendships that will go the distance till you’re grey and old!”
“The NZSDA members that we see each year are now like a large Signee family, and it leaves me with a full happy heart when I say goodbye at the end of the awards and conference knowing that they are there to back us.”
Aaron’s willingness to put his hand up was also evident during the 2026 Sign & Print Expo. He came up early to help with set-up, putting together hundreds of goodie bags and also stayed late to help with pack down. The NZSDA Board commented that seeing him jump in and help, without even knowing he had been chosen as the Mana Influencer, only reinforced what a great choice he was.
