Young Enterprise Scheme Awards – Hawke’s Bay’s Top Student Businesses Revealed

Student businesses selling upcycled barrels and multi-cultural educational flashcards took out the top titles at the 2025 TUMU Hawke’s Bay Young Enterprise Scheme Regional Awards last night.

More than 400 students from 19 high schools across the region competed in this year’s YES – delivered by the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce.

YES supports senior secondary students to set up and run their own businesses, with real profits and losses. It included four challenges over the year, including selling at a market day.

Eight finalists for the TUMU Company of the Year titles for Hawke’s Bay North and South appeared before a panel of expert judges yesterday, pitching their businesses and fielding questions.

Culture Quest, from Sacred Heart College, won Company of the Year for Hawke’s Bay North, with their flashcards designed to increase cultural understanding and reduce racism.

Chief Executive Frankie Pilcher says the idea was inspired by her group’s cultural diversity. “The concept really meant something to us. This win feels really great.”

Baril from St John’s College was Company of the Year for Hawke’s Bay South, producing a range of furniture from old wine and oil barrels, including bean bag chairs and bar leaners.

Sean Loetscher, Baril Chief Executive, says the team is thrilled to win recognition for its products. “The whole process has taught us a lot about running a business and at times really pushed us out of our comfort zone.”

The two regional winners will next pitch their businesses against the country’s best at the YES National Awards on December 4 in Wellington.

The awards recognised several stand-out businesses, including Oh My Dog from Havelock North High School, which won the Pan Pac Innovation Award for their dog toy made from old tennis balls.

Moko Bears from Taradale High School took out the Hastings District Council Māori and Pasifika Business of the Year Award with their market-first, Māoritanga teddy bears.

Woodford House’s Pooch Pouch – a puppy starter kit complete with poo bags, toys and treats – scooped the Napier City Council Sales and Marketing Award.

Alexis Overend, Regional Coordinator for the Young Enterprise Scheme in Hawke’s Bay, says the standard of this year’s start-ups was incredibly high.

“Judges were impressed by the innovation, courage and drive shown by our YES entrepreneurs.”

Hastings Girls High School’s Stephen Gardner received the Jobs in CHB Teacher of the Year Award.

Sophie Lyndon, from Napier Girls High School’s Cuppa Cravings business, won Entrepreneur of the Year for HB North, while Amy Nicoll from BIOFUEL at Havelock North High School, took the title for HB South.

“We are proud to play a role in developing the next generation of business leaders and innovators,” says Chamber CEO Karla Lee.

“YES builds financial literacy, business acumen, innovation and resilience in our region’s brightest young people.”

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