Rotorua Business Awards: Nominations now open for 2021

Nominations are now open for this year's Rotorua business awards, which has a new name and sponsor.

More than 100 Rotorua businessmen and women attended the launch of the 2021 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards at the Pullman Rotorua last night.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard said the awards "hit the sweet spot" with Rotorua's business community.

"It's exciting."

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive. Photo / Andrew Warner

Heard said it was exciting to have Tompkins Wake come on board as the main sponsor after Westpac's 16-year history of supporting the awards.

He thanked all sponsors for their selfless contributions to the business awards especially post Covid-19 lockdown.

Last year 725 businesses entered the awards themed around celebrating Rotorua's resilience post-lockdown, which Heard said was the most entries ever.

Since then, Heard said it has been made easier for businesses to enter.

"Anyone can nominate anyone."

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards. Photo / Andrew Warner

Tompkins Wake partner Andrew Orme said it was a "fantastic opportunity" to become the awards' main sponsor.

In 2014 Tompkins Wake merged with long-standing Rotorua law firm Davys Burton, which was founded in 1898.

"We have a long history with Rotorua and we are very lucky and proud to be involved in the business awards."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said there seemed to be a lot more younger businesses interested in the awards.

"I wonder if that's what I call the Covid-effect. People took a pause and started to rethink their business models.

"I think we're going to see some interesting, new emerging business energy this year."

Lux Organics owner Jenny Lux. Photo / Andrew Warner

Like many businesses, Jenny Lux had to adapt to a new way of working during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Lux and her husband Richard Gillies were one of the lucky ones able to continue operating during alert level 4.

The husband and wife duo were kept busy growing organic vegetables, selling them online and providing a contactless delivery for their customers.

Now post-lockdown, her five-year-old business Lux Organics supplies organic produce to fine dining restaurants including the five-star Pullman Rotorua hotel.

"I think people are recognising the importance of healthy food due to the pandemic," Lux said.

Lux Organics won the 2020 Environmental Sustainability Award last year and Lux said the awards were important community recognition for the city's businesses.

"It was a real surprise and an honour."

Nominations for the 2021 business awards were now open, with the main gala event scheduled for October 9. To enter, visit www.rotoruabusinessawards.co.nz

Business categories

Rotorua Economic Development:

Kaitiakitanga Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change

NZME:

People's Choice

EMA:

Employer of the Year

BNZ:

Bilingual Business

ACC:

Workplace Safety

Ministry of Social Development:

Not for Profit and Social Enterprise

Red Stag:

Business Person of the Year

Rotorua Lakes Council:

Outstanding Contribution to Rotorua

Tompkins Wake:

Supreme Award

Timeline

May 5

- Nominations open

May 17

- Entries open

July 2

- Nominations close

July 12 to August 9

- People's Choice voting

August 16

- Finalists announced

October 9

- Gala event