Awards salute Asians' impact

An inaugural awards event will aim to honour Hawke's Bay's Asian entrepreneurs, professionals and community organisations to show the cultural and economic contribution they've made to the region.

Organiser Leah Burling said the Asians in the Bay Business Awards, which had three categories, would show the potential of the Asian community, its unique identity and highlight some of the stories of people who had left their home to make a new life in New Zealand.

"My primary reason for setting up these awards is to show the significant contribution Asians in Hawke's Bay are making," Ms Burling said. "The professional and entrepreneur categories will show that there are many who excel in business and have successfully applied their profession in New Zealand.

"The community category will show how Asian groups have made connections and established local networks with different organisations in Hawke's Bay, government and non-government groups."

Ms Burling who was born in the Philippines, moved to New Zealand in 2007 and for four years struggled to find employment conducive to the master degree she holds in development management.

After working in a factory, an orchard and a rest home, she decided to publish a newspaper for the Asian community, which she continues four times a year.

She hoped the awards would reveal other business projects Asian people had embarked on in Hawke's Bay.

So far, 28 nominations had been received across the three categories, many from the retail and hospitality sectors.

"We've just extended the deadline to August 3," she said. "I was really struggling to find nominations at first but the Hastings District Council and Napier City Council have been very supportive and encouraged me to continue."

Ms Burling said she would like to make the awards an annual event but would see how well the inaugural event did before making a decision.

The awards will be held at the at the Shakespeare Room at the Hawke's Bay Opera House, in Hastings, on August 25.

A special entertainment ceremony, showcasing the Asian cultures represented in Hawke's Bay, will be part of the awards event.

Nomination forms for the awards are available from: asiainthebay@yahoo.co.nz

The Asians in the Bay awards is supported by Settlement Support, Creative Communities New Zealand and the Hastings District Council.