The Rotorua Business Award Gala in 2022. Photo / Michelle Cutelli Photography
“Passionate, committed and resilient” businesses and people are being recognised in this year’s Rotorua Business Awards.
Sixty finalists in 16 categories have been announced and Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards convenor Michelle Urquhart said the high number of entries made shortlisting the finalists a tough job for the 30-strong judging team.
“They take their job extremely seriously and they have been thorough in their assessments of every entry,” Urquhart said.
“Those that have not been shortlisted as a finalist this year will receive feedback on their entry, as this is an important part of helping grow their future potential.”
Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Bryce Heard said everyone involved was prepared for 2024 to be a tougher year for the annual awards given the challenging economic environment. There had been a record 120 entries into this year’s awards.
“The number and quality of entries have blown everyone away,” Heard said.
“We have long known that Rotorua businesses are passionate, committed and resilient and the high level of interest in the 2024 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards has reinforced this.
“We are incredibly proud of our city, its businesses and its people. We are excited to deliver another business awards that showcase everything Rotorua has to offer.”
Nominees in the Emerging Business Leader category this year are Burgerfuel franchise owner Ashleigh Nairn, Aronui Arts Festival director Cian Elyse White, Profile Gym owner Simon Chisholm and Tim Farmer from Nduro Events.
The People’s Choice Award opened for nominations in July and the finalists this year are White Tiger Restaurant and Bar, Fanciful Cakes by Merenia, The Pet Vet and Seva Spa.
Next, finalists will be interviewed by category judges as part of the selection process.
Winners will be announced at the gala event on October 5 at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.
Tickets for the gala are on sale until September 20 at www.rotoruabusinessawards.co.nz.
Mountain Jade - Creative arts and design
Rotorua Musical Theatre
Native Industries
Hell’s Gate
Aronui Arts Festival
Scion - Innovation and technology
Triple Scoop
Aronui Arts Festival
Te Arawa Lakes Trust
Digital Natives Academy
Deloitte - Retail
Advocate Print
BurgerFuel Fairy Springs
Mountain Jade
PAK’n’SAVE Rotorua
Unichem Central Pharmacy Rotorua
Rotorua NZ - Manaakitanga tourism and hospitality
Whakarewarewa The Living Maori Village
Elite Adventures
Te Puia | NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Institute
Black Label Barbecue
Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings - Primary manufacturing and building
Lakeland Steel Limited
Lee Brothers Cabinets & Joinery
Rotorua Steel Structures 2018 Limited
Storm Proofed Roofing
Xcel Builders Limited
Pak’n Save - Professional services
iRentProperty
ITCo Solutions Limited
Watchdog Security Group
Unichem Central Pharmacy Rotorua
Profiles Gym Rotorua
Bay Decorators (2012) Limited
Talent ID Recruitment Ltd
Freya Aesthetics
Jasco Distributing - Kaitiakitanga environmental sustainability and climate change
Advocate Print
Aotearoa Dive
STOKEDNZ
Te Arawa Lakes Trust
Te Puia - Employer of the year
Kilwell Group
Pullman Hotel Rotorua
Lee Brothers Cabinets & Joinery
Te Arawa Lakes Trust - Bilingual business
Aio Media
Hell’s Gate
Xcel Builders Limited
Timberlands Limited - Workplace safety and well-being
Kilwell Group
Watchdog Security Group
Storm Proofed Roofing
Osbornes Funeral Directors - Not-for-profit and social enterprise
Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust
Digital Natives Academy
WERA Aotearoa Charitable Trust
House of Science Rotorua
Toi Ohomai - Emerging business leader
Ashleigh Nairn
Cian Elyse White
Simon Chrisholm
Tim Farmer
Rotorua Lakes Council - Outstanding contribution to Rotorua
Rob and Linley Parry
Dancing for Hospice
Rotorua Trust
Darryl Church Architects
NZME - People’s choice
White Tiger Restaurant & Bar
Fanciful Cakes by Merenia
The Pet Vet
Seva Day Spa