Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards last year. Photo / Michelle Cutelli Photography
Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards last year. Photo / Michelle Cutelli Photography
The finalists for this year’s Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards have been announced.
A total of 59 finalists across 14 categories have been named today, with leading entries shortlisted by a 24-strong team of judges.
Rotorua Business Chamber chief executive Melanie Short said it was “uplifting” to see thenumber and calibre of entries.
Short is well-versed with the Business Awards after undertaking the convenor of judges role from 2007-2011, as well as a period as a judge and as a past entrant.
“We have long known that Rotorua businesses are passionate, committed and resilient, and the high level of interest in the 2025 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards has fully reinforced this.”
She said the chamber was incredibly proud of its city, its businesses and its people.
“We’re thrilled to deliver another Business Awards event that showcases everything Rotorua has to offer.”
Winners will be announced at a gala event on October 11 at the Energy Events Centre.
“The Rotorua Business Awards have become a powerful lens on the region’s ambition and ingenuity.”
He said every entrant backed themselves, stepped into the spotlight, and that drove the collective progress of Rotorua’s business community.
“Fifty-nine finalists tells a story,” Calder said.
“We salute that courage, and we are proud to stand alongside a business community that turns resilience into growth.”
The next stage of the process for finalists is an interview with the relevant category judges, which will take place over the coming weeks.
Tompkins Wake Business Awards convenors Jasmine Findlater and Theresa Le Bas said the high calibre of entries made shortlisting the finalists a tough job for judges.
Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute claimed the Supreme Award at the 2024 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards. Photo / Michelle Cutelli Photography
“They take their job extremely seriously, and they have been thorough in their assessments of every entry.”
