Seeking names for HB Export Awards

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Entries have opened for the seventh Hawke’s Bay Export Awards.

Details of the awards were announced by ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay executive officer Amanda Liddle.

Businesses will compete for the Best Established Exporter Award (organisations with a turnover of more than $5 million a year), the Excellence in Innovation Award and the Emerging Business Award.

Another prominent feature is the Unsung Heroes Award, which reflects the hard and often unseen work undertaken by people within their business.

The winners of the first three categories will contest the supreme award of Exporter of the Year and will automatically be entered in the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards in Auckland in November. Last year’s Exporter of the Year winner was Hastings company New Zealand Frost Fans.

Eligibility for the Hawke’s Bay awards covers organisations located from Gisborne to Pahiatua.

Judging criteria include core operations and achievements related to export activities, and award entrants will also receive site visits by the judging panel.

Entries close on July 1, with site visits taking place over the following two weeks.

Finalists will be announced on August 1. Category winners will be announced at a gala dinner on August 25 at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre.

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