Exporters in spotlight

ExportNZ Hawke's Bay executive officer Amanda Liddle, left, said Hawke's Bay companies punched above their weight as exporters. Photo / Paul Taylor

The success of Hawke's Bay exporters will be celebrated next month.

Entries are now open for the 2015 ASB-ExportNZ Hawke's Bay Export Awards.

Exporters are a huge part of our country's success, Business Central chief executive John Milford said.

"The time is right for Hawke's Bay to celebrate those companies that contribute so much in the form of export receipts and jobs to both the national and local economy by way of their skill and innovation."

The awards up for grabs are the ASB Bank Exporter of the Year, Napier Port Award for Most Compelling Strategy in Export, DHL Award for Most Collaborative in Export, and QBE Award for Most Innovative in Export.

Entries close on July 2. The judges are Mike Atkins of ASB, Alasdair Macleod of ExportNZ, Susan White of Business Hawke's Bay and Amanda Martin of NZ Trade and Enterprise.

The judges will visit the finalists between July 3 and 16.

ExportNZ Hawke's Bay executive officer Amanda Liddle said Hawke's Bay companies punched above their weight as exporters, contributing 9 per cent of New Zealand's port exports, worth $4.4 billion a year.

There was further potential to grow equipment manufacturing, food and wood processing, and biotechnology sectors in the region, she said.

"Companies are ideally placed to take advantage of that potential, having the North Island's second largest export port by volume right on their doorstep."

Sponsor Garth Cowie, Napier Port chief executive, said the port had a long history serving exporters. About 95 per cent of all exports through the port are produced within 60km of it.

Entry forms, criteria details, and registration forms for the awards dinner, which will be held on July 30 at The Old Church, Meannee, are available on the ExportNZ website www.exportnz.org.nz.