The judges noted that LawVu has huge potential for further growth, and credited it for choosing to base its global operations out of Tauranga and create new opportunities to attract a highly skilled workforce.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said the chamber was delighted to see a high calibre of entrants who took the time to enter despite the challenges of Covid-19.
"Every year, through the awards process, we continue to see local businesses change the way they do business, seeking new ways of working, overcoming new challenges and responding with a can-do attitude that makes them thrive.
"For the chamber, this is the reason why we felt strongly that the awards needed to continue this year. It's important to celebrate the resilience and adaption to change that we see in our community."
Head facilitator Jamie Lunam, speaking on behalf of the judges, said the calibre of entrants was not only diverse but incredibly humbling.
"We have some epic Covid-19 pivots, brave businesses facing up to significant structural challenges, hare-brained ideas that turned into businesses, incredible tech startups and everything in between.
"They entered the awards for validation and feedback, but the reality is that these entrants could teach the Tauranga business ecosystem a thing or two. We wish all applicants and finalists a successful 2021."
Another top honour of note was the award for Corporate Leadership, which this year went to Trevelyan's. The Corporate Leadership award is selected by the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and recognises a large-scale business that is making a significant and positive impact to the region's economy.
Event organiser Anne Pankhurst said Trevelyan's was leading the charge with its response to Covid-19 and the way it is managing to keep its people safe in a challenging environment.
"As well as being a hugely successful packhouse, Trevelyan's has a considerable focus on community support across all facets of their business. This is particularly evident with their people and the importance of creating an environment that is safe and welcoming for their diverse workforce."
This year also had every Tauranga Business Awards entrant put forward for the only publicly voted award, the NZME People's Choice Award. More than 3500 people voted through the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce website, and emerging business Girls Get Off was crowned the category winner.
Tauranga Business Awards 2021 winners and finalists
Workplace Safety Award – Sponsored by Vertical Horizonz NZ
Winner JNP Aviation Ltd
Highly Commended ISO Ltd
Finalist Skydive Tauranga
Business, Digital & Technology Innovation Award – Sponsored by Holland Beckett Law
Winner LawVu Ltd
Highly Commended ISO
Finalist Tauranga Commercial Laundry & Apparelmaster
Continuous Improvement/Lean Award – Sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Productivity People
Winner Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Skydive Tauranga
Finalist Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
Customer Experience Award – Sponsored by Classic Group
Winner Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Highly Commended JNP Aviation Ltd
Highly Commended Skydive Tauranga
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Exceed – We Fix Windows and Doors
Finalist New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Ltd
People and Culture Award – Sponsored by Lysaght Consultants and The Culture Co
Winner Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Base Up Contracting Ltd
Finalist JNP Aviation Ltd
Finalist Vitruvius Ltd
Finalist PMG Funds
Sustainable Business Award – Sponsored by Trustpower
Winner Tauranga Commercial Laundry & Apparelmaster
Finalist EcoResto
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Finalist Good Change
Emerging Business Award – Sponsored by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Winner Real Rad Foods Ltd
Finalist Girls Get Off Ltd
Finalist V on Wheels Ltd
Service Excellence Award – Sponsored by Zespri
Winner Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Finalist JNP Aviation Ltd
Finalist PMG Funds
Social Enterprise Award – Sponsored by Metro Marketing
Winner Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
Finalist The Kollective
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Manufacturing, Construction & Distribution – Sponsored by Tauranga Chamber of Commerce
Winner Base Up Contracting Ltd
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Tauranga Commercial Laundry and Apparelmaster
People's Choice – Sponsored by NZME
Winner Girls Get Off
Corporate Leadership – Sponsored by The University of Waikato
Winner Trevelayn's
Tauranga Business of the Year
Winner LawVu Limited
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
