26 August 2021
Huge Diversity Across Business Awards
A record number of businesses entered the Southland Business Excellence Awards, and the finalists have now been announced.
Southland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sheree Carey said they were thrilled to have 141 applicants received over 11 categories.
“The companies should be commended for the time and effort spent on putting together top-class applications.”
“Judges have spent the past four weeks working through them and were truly inspired by the innovative and passionate stories from throughout the region, and the resilience shown in the past 18 months during the pandemic,” she said.
Among the finalists were some new businesses and also some that had been around for many years, including Morrifield Tunnel Houses, in Otatara.
Co-owner Leanne Morris said this was the first year they had entered, despite being in business for more than 40 years.
“We kind of thought about it in the past but we’ve just been too busy,” she said.
It was only by chance they saw the awards advertised in the last week “and then it was a mad rush to get the application in.”
Hearing that they had made the finals was a great surprise and also coincided with she and husband Allister’s 15th wedding anniversary.
New business ‘Crunchy’ was also a finalist in three categories, and owner Benji Biswas said he was blown away when he heard the news.
“There are some incredible companies up for these awards.It has been challenging journey for us but getting recognised certainly makes us feel humbled, proud and excited.
“Well done to everyone who applied, it’s a huge task. Congratulations to all finalists and good luck, I’m really looking forward to the final award night meeting some like minded people.”
Judges involved:
Main Categories plus Innovation, One to Watch and Business Personality
Frank Gibbons, Air NZ | Lani Evans MNZM, Vodafone Foundation | Amy Allison, MPI |Mark Robinson, Fonterra Farm Source | Shelley Bell, Wilson Bell Consulting
ACC Workplace Injury Prevention
Garth Butson, ACC
Blue River Dairy LP Workplace Wellbeing
Laura Faherty, Healthy Families Invercargill | Abbigail Surridge, Blue River Dairy | Rebekah Dawson, Progress People
The 2021 Southland Business Excellence Awards finalists are:
Findex (NZ) Ltd Primary & Primary Services Sector Award
- Alliance Group
- Prime Range Meats
- WM Environmental
Invercargill City Council Construction, Trade, Manufacturing & Distribution Award
- FI Innovations
- Kiwi Skips
- Morrifield Greenhouses
- PowerNet
Powernet New and Emerging Award
- Auld Farm Distillery
- Crunchy
- MSK Ultrasound
The Southland Times Consumer Award
- Black Shag Boutique Café
- Fat Bastard Pies
- Prime Range Meats
- The Batch
- Transport World
Invercargill Licensing Trust Not for Profit Award
- Jubilee Budget Advisory Services
- Koha Kai
- Miharo Murihiku
- South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation
Progress People Professional Services Award
- BDO Invercargill
- Digital Stock
- Malloch McClean
- Mrs Tradie
- The Headache Clinic
- WM Environmental
Market South Innovation Award
- Crunchy
- Digital Stock
- Fi Innovations
- Kiwi Skips
Blue River Dairy LP Workplace Wellbeing Award
- Alliance Group
- Aquila Sustainable Farming
- PowerNet
ACC Workplace Injury Prevention Award
- Altitude Resurfacing
- Aquila Sustainable Farming
- Prime Range Meats
Southern Institute of Technology Business Personality Award
- Janice Lee (Koha Kai)
- Jocelyn O’Donnell (HW Richardson Group/Transport World)
- Tangaroa Walker (Farm 4 Life)
Meridian Energy One to Watch Award
- Benji Biswas (Crunchy)
- Fiona Walker (WM Environmental)
- Gareth Dykes (Fi Innovations)
- Jim Dowling (Digital Stock)
- Rob & Toni Auld (Auld Farm Distillery)
The Awards Gala Dinner will take place at Transport World, Invercargill on Friday 15th October 2021.
This dinner will showcase Southland’s business talent and capability as we pay tribute to local businesses who are helping build our economy and community.
Published by whatsoninvers.nz – 26 August 2021