A young go-getter who can make it happen

A 31-year-old who built a database marketing company from scratch five years ago has been named this year's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Aucklander Michael Whittaker, of the Atlantis Group, began his rise to success before he was out of his teens, importing ceramic pots from Southeast Asia.

He then astonished the horticultural industry when he persuaded the US counterpart of MAF to license him to export live ferns to the US.

Next it was ice cream, with Mr Whittaker and a partner developing Killinchy Gold, one of New Zealand's premium ice-cream brands.

In late 1996, at the age of 26, he and a group of friends spotted a gap in the market for a top-notch database marketing company.

Today he heads a staff of 89 in five countries.

Carol Campbell, the national director of Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Services group, said one of Mr Whittaker's strengths was that he had created an internationally successful business that was unashamedly New Zealand-centric.

"Michael and his team carry out as many activities as possible in New Zealand. For example, all Atlantis technology development is done in Auckland and its local call centre supports calls from New York to Singapore."

Mr Whittaker was also the winner of the technology/communications category at the awards.

The six other category winners were Tony Hembrow of Rayglass Boats (manufacturing joint winner), Peter Leitch of the Mad Butcher group (retail), MacPac's Bruce McIntyre (manufacturing joint winner), Nigel McKenna of Melview Developments (property), Brett Wharfe of New Zealand Hothouse (service), and Philip Yates of Genetic Technologies (master entrepreneur).

Dr Russell Smith of Pulse Data International was given a special commendation award for his contribution to technology.

In November, Mr Whittaker will be off to Palm Springs for the Ernst & Young International Forum of Entrepreneurs and then go on to represent New Zealand at the World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo next June.