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ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026

Mar 25, 2026

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  • ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026

ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026

Enter the ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026

The ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards are a celebration of courage, entrepreneurship, discipline, sheer grit, and talent. Enter now!

The 2026 awards are an opportunity to shine a light on our region’s exporters who go further, punch higher, elevate our presence globally and increase our prosperity.

For the EMA and ExportNZ, along with our valued sponsors, this is a chance to acknowledge that what is built here belongs among the best in the world.

As a Bay of Plenty exporter, the awards are a chance for you to test your mettle alongside the best of the best. The awards are judged by a panel of experienced exporting specialists drawn from industry and partners.

 



Award Categories

Best Emerging Business

Air New Zealand Cargo is proud to be sponsoring the ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026.  We are committed to backing New Zealand businesses globally. We understand exporters’ vital economic role. Through this partnership, we celebrate Kiwi exporters’ success and innovation while reinforcing our dedication to connecting them with global markets.

The Best Emerging Business Award recognises outstanding early-stage export success and measurable contribution to the New Zealand economy. This award celebrates businesses in the early stages of their international growth journey (typically up to five years of exporting), with annual revenue under $5 million. It highlights ambition, strategic market entry, and strong growth potential.

Excellence in Innovation

Port of Tauranga is proud to be sponsoring the ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026.  As New Zealand’s largest and most efficient port, we are the international gateway for our exports.

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises success in developing and commercialising innovation in international markets. This category acknowledges businesses that leverage intellectual property, robust strategy, process excellence, and continuous monitoring to drive global competitiveness and export growth.

Unsung Export Hero

Zespri is proud to be sponsoring the ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026. Our region hosts diverse companies bringing products to the world and promoting the Bay’s attractions. We’re proud to recognise those who’ve shown excellence in export processes, products, technologies and teamwork this past year.

The Unsung Export Hero – Outstanding Individual Contribution Award recognises an individual who has made a material impact on export success, whether through process improvement, compliance and documentation excellence, product or technology development, operational leadership, or fostering strong team dynamics. It honours those whose dedication and diligence ultimately drive export growth and profitability.

Services to Export Award

Page Macrae is excited to be sponsoring the ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards 2026.  We look forward to judging this category to find those organisations and individuals who have excelled in strengthening our region’s export achievements.

The Services to Export Award recognises a significant and sustained contribution to exporting success in the Bay of Plenty.  The award acknowledges an individual or organisation, whether directly involved in exporting or not, that has demonstrated ongoing commitment to strengthening the region’s export ecosystem over time.

Exporter of the Year

Sharp Tudhope Lawyers has been part of the Bay of Plenty Export Awards since the very beginning.  It’s a highly anticipated event and a chance to recognise the businesses putting our region on the global stage. We’re proud to support an event that showcases the best of the Bay and celebrates local exporters’ innovation, hard work and resilience.

The Exporter of the Year Award is the premiere award of the evening. This flagship award recognises established export excellence and substantial contribution to the New Zealand economy. Typically awarded to businesses with more than five years of international operations and annual revenue exceeding $5 million, this category celebrates sustained growth, strong performance, and global impact.

 

Enter the Awards 


Key dates

8 June: Entries Close

15 – 30 June: Judging Period

10 July: Finalists Announced

7 August: Awards Evening

 


Come to Our Awards Evening: On the World Stage – August 7

The ON THE WORLD STAGE gala will be held at Mercury Baypark Stadium Lounge and we promise you a night of celebration, glamour, live entertainment, dancing and more.

The evening presents a chance for sponsors, exporters and friends to gather together to celebrate success as well as the journey, standards and commitment required to compete internationally.

Dress Theme:  World Stage Iconic – Come as a sports star, actor, musician, entrepreneur… Anything befitting the world stage!

Join us for a fantastic night of celebration. Doors open at 6pm. We can’t wait to see you there.

 

Buy Tickets Here 

 

Table (seats x 10):  $2,200 + GST

Individual Tickets: $220 + GST


 

A word from the Chair of the Bay of Plenty Export Committee

Warwick Downing, Chair of the ExportNZ BoP Executive Committee: “The event is a platform to recognise outstanding businesses but also as a prime opportunity for networking and knowledge-sharing. These awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible exporters in the Bay of Plenty who work tirelessly to bring New Zealand products and services to the world. Equally important is the opportunity they provide to bring the exporting community together, to share stories, challenges, and insights that help drive the sector forward.”

 

A word from the Principal Sponsor

Mike Atkins, Head of Trade Finance at ASB: “We are excited to extend our partnership with ExportNZ in the Bay of Plenty, to support the celebration of export champions from the region. At ASB we are passionate about enabling exporters to scale up, be it through debt capital funding, working capital or other advisory initiatives across productivity, sustainability, clean tech, and food and fibre.”

 

This event is made possible by


 


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