Second export awards for Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay export successes will be celebrated at the region’s second export awards in July.

Details of the awards were announced today by ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Executive Officer Amanda Liddle.

Entries are open to all exporters in the region, which runs from Wairoa to Waipukurau.

Awards to be decided are Napier Port Most Sustainable in Export Award, QBE Most Exciting New Product in Export Award, NZL ContainerCo Innovation in Export Award. The winner in each category will then contest the supreme award of the ASB Exporter of the Year.

Other sponsors of the awards are New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Trinity Hill, Pask Winery, Jetstar, OPure, Business Central and Grundy Productions.

Among requirements for entrants is that they must have a minimum of $100,000 in export revenue. They will be required to describe their company and its achievements in export, and part of the judging process will be visits by the judges to each company when the submissions will be discussed.

Entries close on 1 July, with the site visits taking place between 4 and 13 July, and the finalists announced on 14 July. The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner in the Old Church at Meeanee on21 July.

The judges are ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Chairman Alasdair MacLeod, NZ Trade and Enterprise Customer Director Amanda Martin, ASB Head of International Trade Mike Atkins, and Business Hawke’s Bay CEO Susan White.

Amanda Liddle says ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is delighted to be able to present the awards for the second time.

“Exporting is a big part of business in Hawke’s Bay and a big contributor to the local economy, so we’re delighted we can again showcase the best we have to offer.

“Our companies produce around 9 per cent of New Zealand’s port exports worth $4.4 billion a year, and it’s great to be able to recognise those achievements.

“We’re expecting some strong entries following the success of the inaugural awards. Last year’s ASB Exporter of the Year, Furnware, said they entered because the awards recognised local achievements and that entering actually inspired them to improve, and we’re hoping entrants this year will have a similar experience.”
Business Central Chief Executive John Milford said his organisation supported the awards because they recognised excellence in a sector that is a vital part of the regional and national economy.

“Without these companies doing what they do we would not have the standard of living we have today, so it’s fitting we can acknowledge and encourage that.

“These awards are a great chance for export businesses to expand their business horizons and get inspired to explore further the great potential of Hawke’s Bay.”

Entry forms, criteria details, and registration forms for the awards dinner are available on the ExportNZ website hawkesbay.exportnz.org.nz or by contacting Amanda Liddle on amanda@exportnz.org.nz

ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is overseen by Business Central, which represents around 3500 employers across the lower North Island. Business Central also provides employer, health and safety, and human resources advice, and advocates policies that reflect the interest of the business community.

ENDS

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