Top Bay businesses shortlisted

The finalists and judges in the Westpac Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. Photo / Duncan Brown

Finalists for the 2014 Westpac Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards were announced last night at a glamorous function at Church Road Winery.

About 80 people, including sponsors and finalists in the awards, gathered at the scenic Church Road Winery's Tom McDonald Cellar for the Spark Digital finalist function.

The announcement of 17 finalists in four categories marked the beginning of an assessment process to be carried out by a judging panel over the next few weeks.

Chamber president Brent Linn said the awards event, which aimed to exemplify and endorse business excellence in the region, was one of the chamber's flagship occasions.

"It is a very brave move to stand above the parapets and say, 'Please come and have a look at my business'."

Category winners and a supreme winner will be announced at Showgrounds Hawke's Bay's Exhibition Hall on December 5.

Chamber chief executive Wayne Walford said the awards had been streamlined this year with the number of categories halved, and representation across the business spectrum was strong.

"There have been some outstanding applications and the judges have a big challenge ahead of them when it comes to selecting category winners."

Nfinite Fitness owner Jonathan Hall, who was announced as a finalist in the Radio Network small business category last night, said he was "stoked" to receive the nod.

"It's awesome to get recognition for where the gym has come from over the past two years."

The finalists

Radio network small business

• Freenergy Solar Solutions - Aaron Duncan
• Blue Spider - Natalie Carter
• Property Tax Returns - Simon Griggs
• NZ Digital - Adam Harris
• Nfinite Fitness - Jonathan Hall
• Architecture HDT Hawke's Bay - Shaun Thompson Gray

EIT small to medium business

• Shirley's Home Care - Alex Mears
• Suzelle Lingerie - Coralie White
• Catalyst Fuel Refunds - Jared Maloney
• Big Noise Group - Wiremu Paipa
• Hillmac Electrical - Mike Hill

Hawke's Bay Regional Council medium business

• Gair Contracting - Bailey Gair
• Isaacs Pumping & Electrical - Gavin Streeter
• PanPac large business
• Royston Hospital - Denise Primrose
• Presbyterian Support EC - Shirley Collins
• Heavens Bakery - Jason Heaven

ACC workplace safety

• Unison Networks Ltd
• Royston Hospital - Denise Primrose
• Centralines
• Honnor Drilling
• Gair Contracting