Award Categories and FAQs

There are many successful, inspirational businesses and business leaders in Hawke's Bay.
In our ‘lifestyle' region, business is at the forefront of innovation and there are many businesses that are well known as market leaders locally, nationally and internationally.
The 2010 Westpac Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards are the perfect vehicle to celebrate the success of Hawke's Bay businesses.
A healthy business has excellent operational processes, maintains accurate financial information, builds strong relationships with employees, clients and suppliers and has well developed sales and marketing strategies.
Businesses that have won award categories or the supreme award have used their success as a platform for bigger and brighter things.
Westpac has again confirmed its commitment as the lead sponsor and its support nationally of business awards has taken winning the regional awards to a higher level.
The entry process is relatively straight forward. Most successful businesses have a business plan and much of this detail can be used for the entry.
There is also an entrant workshop on July 20th where we take you through the process.

Award Categories

Workfit Healthy Workplace Award
Finalists in all categories, along with companies already participating in Workfit, are in contention for a special award based on promoting a healthy workplace. There are many ways to promote a healthy and active workplace from the provision of bike stands, fitness equipment, subsidized gym memberships to employees participating in company supported sports and recreational activities.

Classic Hits Excellence in Retail Award
Open to retailers selling goods and services throughout Hawke's Bay.

3R Group Sustainable Business Award
Open to all businesses that can demonstrate the introduction of sustainable business practices into their organisation. The business can either be a ‘champion' or be able to show they are on the path to sustainability.

Hawke's Bay Wine Country Tourism Association Visitor Industry Award
Open to all businesses or organisations focused on attracting visitors to Hawke's Bay in support of the regional goal to become a world class visitor destination.

Barnes Mossman Emerging Business Award
Open to all businesses who have started in the last 5 years.

Unison Service Provider Award
Open to all private sector organisations based in Hawke's Bay set up to provide services and customer service activities – either business to business or business to client.

Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Business Excellence Award
Open to all Māori-owned commercial SMEs and micro-businesses in the Hawke's Bay area. The business should have displayed a high level of commitment to their kaupapa, excellence in their mahi and pride at being Māori.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council/Venture Hawke's Bay Business innovation Award
Open to all businesses/organisations that can demonstrate innovation, building on key elements in the Hawke's Bay environment - land, water, climate, people - creating new products or services that embrace future-focused technologies or systems that are New Zealand - leading or are moving towards success in this area.

NZT&E Exporter of the Year Award
Open to all businesses based in Hawke's Bay, who are primarily engaged in exporting.

Pan Pac Forest Products Large Business Award
Open to all businesses in Hawke's Bay with a turnover in their last financial year of more than $5 million and a staffing level in excess of 40 persons, or a staffing level greater than 70.

Xplore.net Online Award
Open to businesses based in Hawke's Bay that show excellence in customer service, marketing and sales using the web.

Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce/Employers & Manufacturers Association Business Person of the Year
This is a special ‘by nomination' only award. It is awarded to a business person who is successful in any Hawke's Bay business sector; has made a worthy contribution to furthering business in Hawke's Bay; and acts as a role model for other businesses. This award is by decision of the Boards' of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

Hawke's Bay Today Business of the Year
This award acknowledges the overall business selected from all the category winners.

FAQ:

How does a business enter?
Contact the Chamber (06) 876 5938 for further assistance including an entry support pack.
Attend the How to Entry Workshop on July 20 - contact the Chamber above for details.

Can my entry be designed?
We recommend that you simply write your entry form on A4 paper. Please include any relevant photos and graphs etc. You will need to provide four copies.

Does my information remain confidential?
All information remains confidential and is destroyed or returned following the completion of the awards. Only entry finalists are announced. Any further information given to the judges during the judging process remains private and confidential.

What does it cost?
There is no cost for entering. The only cost the time put into writing the entry.

What do award winners receive?
Recognition, promotion of your business, a morale boost for staff…plus a stylish trophy.

“Metalform was thrilled to win the Hawke's Bay Today Supreme Business Award at the 2009 Westpac Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.  This win has been great for not only our business but the local community as a whole, proving you don't have to be in the main centres to have a truly creative, innovative, and successful business.  We thought we had a great business, but this award provides third party endorsement, improving our profile, credibility and has directly contributed to new business opportunities.
If you are thinking of entering the awards – don't think any further – take action and enter.  The process is worth the effort!!!”
Allan Benbow - General Manager Metalform