Taupo Excellence Awards Winners Announced

Well established Taupo retail store, Hikoi, scooped the top prize at the 2010 Towncentre Taupo Excellence Awards, held at the Great Lake Centre on Friday night.

Hikoi had won the Taupo Times Best National / Franchise Retail category earlier in the evening, before being named the Unison Overall Business of the Year.

Towncentre Taupo General Manager, Kylie Hawker, said that eleven local businesses were acknowledged as Taupo’s ‘best of the best’ at the Awards function.

“In total, 79 businesses were judged anonymously over a two month period, with each business being assessed on a variety of criteria including customer service, presentation and layout, and follow-up service. Our judges awarded highly commended certificates in each of the categories, as well as each category winner and the Overall Business of the Year,” said Ms Hawker.

A separate judging panel assessed the 18 Hilton Lake Taupo Personality of the Year nominees, with local Taupo District Councillor and business owner, Mich’eal Downard, taking the prize.

“Our Personality of the Year nominees were judged by a separate panel,” said Ms Hawker. “The judges awarded Mr Downard the top prize in recognition of his endless passion and enthusiasm for Taupo, the volunteer work he does on numerous groups, boards and committees across the district, and the high professional standard in both his businesses.”

The results are:

More FM Best Independent Retail Business
Winner: In Play Golf & Leisurewear
Highly Commended: M21 Meats & Village Squire
Finalists: Chefs Complements, Sheer Magic

Taupo Times Best National/Franchise Retail Business
Winner: Hikoi
Highly Commended: Footloose Shoes
Finalists: Jean Jones, Taupo Carpet Court, Taupo Office Products Depot

Enterprise Lake Taupo Best Professional Business
Winner: More FM/Mediaworks Taupo
Highly Commended: Fred
Finalist: Harveys Real Estate

Events Capital Best Hospitality Business
Winner: Piccolo
Highly Commended: Indian Affair Restaurant
Finalists: Lotus Thai, Plateau, Salute

Me.creative Best Service/Trade Business
Winner: Quality Print
Highly Commended: Bodyworx Gym
Finalists: A & T Glass, Polished, Taupo Toyota

Hilton Lake Taupo Personality of the Year
Winner: Mich’eal Downard
Highly Commended: Andrew McCullough
Finalists: Chris Johnston, Rex Mincher, Shawn Vennell

Unison Overall Business of the Year
Hikoi

Around 270 people gathered at the Gala Awards Dinner to celebrate this new initiative, including Mayor Cooper, MP for Taupo Louise Upston, and celebrity MC, Oscar Kightley.

“Oscar was fantastic,” said Ms Hawker. “His natural wit, and relaxed honest personality was a real hit with the guests.”

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