The categories are digital, environmental sustainability, hospitality, tourism, emerging business, manufacturing and logistics, trade services and supplies, small business, professional services, retail, rural and not for profit.
Melita Farley, of Double Farley which won the supreme award in the 2016 business awards, has been running workshops to assist people who want to enter the awards and has some tips for business owners.
"Your business will get a lot out of simply entering the awards," Farley said.
"Not only will you be in with a chance to win, you will be making time to reflect on your business, how you do things now and how you'd like to do them in the future. You'll also get helpful feedback from a panel of amazing judges with lots of different business experiences. However big or small your business, however long you've been in business, it really is worth entering."
Farley suggests getting staff, family, friends, mentors or customers involved with ideas on answering the questions and providing examples. She says it is important to be honest in completing the application form.
"While it might look like it from the outside, no business is free of challenges, ever. It is just as important to talk about the issues you are struggling with and what you've learned from failure as it is to talk about and celebrate your successes. All information is kept confidential; it will only be seen by the judging panel.
"Don't worry if writing isn't really your thing. The judges aren't looking for great spelling or grammar, they are looking for businesses that are passionate, are working to improve what they're doing, and are contributing to our community."
The application form is online at www.whanganuichamber.net.nz and Farley advises entrants to review their application and make sure they have answered all the questions before submitting their entry.
Entries close at 5pm on Tuesday, October 23, and the awards will be presented at a gala dinner on November 24.
