Hawke’s Bay export successes will be celebrated at the region’s fifth export awards in August.

Details of the ExportNZ ASB export awards were announced today by ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Executive Officer Amanda Liddle.

Awards to be decided are T&G Global Best Medium to Large Exporter (companies with a turnover of more than $5 million a year), Tomoana Food Hub Innovation in Export, and ContainerCo Best Emerging Business. T&G will also sponsor Unsung Heroes, an award that reflects the hard work done by people within their business. That will be based on nominations.

The winners of the first three categories will contest the supreme award, ASB Exporter of the Year. Last year’s winner was Cedenco Foods, of Gisborne. It was the first year companies from the Gisborne/Tairawhiti region had been included in the awards.

The winners of the three categories automatically go through to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards, in Auckland in November.

Entries are open to all exporters in the region, which runs from Gisborne to Pahiatua.

Award entrants are required to describe their company and its export achievements, and part of the judging process will include site visits by the judges.

Entries close on 7 June, with site visits over the following two weeks. The finalists will be announced on 1 July, ahead of the Awards Gala Dinner on 1 August.

The judges are ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Chairman Alasdair Macleod, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Customer Director Dan Taylor, ASB Head of International Trade Mike Atkins, and Wayne Norrie, Director New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

General sponsors of the gala evening, which will be at the Napier War Memorial Centre, are Hawke’s Bay Airport and Napier Port. Other sponsors are New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Great Things Grow Here, Napier City Council, Grundy Productions, Trinity Hill, Business Hawke’s Bay and OPure.

Ms Liddle acknowledged all sponsors. “Without their continued and outstanding support we wouldn’t be able to make this happen. We are also excited to welcome Hawke’s Bay Airport as a first-time sponsor, as well as the return of Napier Port. Both are obviously an integral part of Hawke’s Bay’s exporting community.”

She said the awards were now a much-anticipated event on the Hawke’s Bay business calendar.

“Exporting is a big and growing part of business in Hawke’s Bay and is crucial to the economy, so we’re delighted we can again celebrate the best we have to offer.

“Our companies produce around 9 per cent of New Zealand’s port exports worth more than $4.4 billion a year.”

Mr Atkins said ASB was delighted to be back for the fifth year as main sponsor.

“We love watching and supporting companies as they start down the export road and then grow into their successes. That’s why we support these awards – getting close to inspirational companies and listen to their tales of struggle to make it on the world stage.”

Hawke’s Bay Airport Chief Executive Stuart Ainslie says: “Hawke’s Bay Airport sees its sponsorship of the awards as an acknowledgment of the important role local exporters play in growing the vitality, profile and prosperity of the region. The airport wants to support industry, enable connectivity and further enhance the region’s reputation as a great place to do business”.

ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is overseen by Business Central, which represents about 3500 employers across the lower North Island. It provides employer, health & safety, and human resources advice, and advocates policies that reflect the interest of the business community.

Chief Executive John Milford said his organisation supported the awards because they recognised excellence in a sector that is vital to the region’s and New Zealand’s economy.

“Without their success we would not have the standard of living we have, so it’s great to be able acknowledge and encourage that.”

Entry forms, criteria details, and registration forms for the awards dinner are available here on the ExportNZ website or by contacting Amanda Liddle on [email protected]

For further information contact Amanda Liddle 027 705 4668

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