COACHESANDCHEERLEADERS FORTHEAWARDSJOURNEY
EntrantstotheBusinessExcellence Awardsneverhavetojourneyalone.
AtagteamoftwoAwardscoaches andtheNorthChamberteamaretherefrom starttofinish,encouragingandguiding entrantstosubmittheirverybestentry.
BusinesscoachesTerrySageandVicki MoselenfromBusinessCoachingNew Zealand(BCNZ)areakeypartofthat supportcrew.TheyfacilitatetheAwards CoachingClinics,whichwalkentrants throughtheentryformandofferone-ononesessionstoensurebusinessesmake themostoftheentryform.
AftertheAwards,whenentrantshave receivedthejudges’feedback,Vickiand Terryareavailabletoreviewentriesand facilitate‘wheretonext’planswiththe businessowner.
FirsttimeentrantsHisandHersEvents werefinalistsintheEMAExcellence inEmergingBusinessAward,MoreFM NorthlandCustomerChoiceAward,Jeroen
JongejansInnovateAward,andtheywon theBusinessCoachingNewZealand Voucher.HelenWaterworthco-director ofthenewbusinesswhichprovides enduranceraceeventkitsforathletessaid, “theentryprocesswasfullonespeciallyas first-timeentrants,buttheAwardssupport crewwerethereeverystepoftheway.It meantwedidathoroughreviewofour business,sometimesyoujustdon’tknow whatyoudon’tknow,havingVickiand Terrytherehasbeenreallyhelpful.”
TerryhassupportedAwardsentrants forover17yearsinthisrole,andVickiisa formerBusinessAwardswinnerwhohas beencoachingfortheAwardsfortwoyears. Theyagreethatthemostfulfillingpartis supportingandcelebratingthesuccessof thebusinessowners.Workingalongside themisagenuineprivilege,andthey lookforwardtohowtheycancontinueto supportinthepost-Awardsprocess.
Thisyear,Vickialsorantwofull-dayBusiness WarrantofFitnessworkshopsdesigned
todovetailwiththeAwardsentry,offering participantsanintensivehealthcheckon theirbusinessthatsetpotentialentrantsup perfectlytoparticipateintheAwards.
Bothcoachesseetheentryprocessasan investmentinthebusiness,andtimewellspent.
Entriesofficiallyopenin Aprilforthe2025Business ExcellenceAwards. Emailenquiriesto info@northchamber.co.nz
ChrisNewsonandHelenWaterworthofHisandHersEvents,flankedbyAwardsCoaches VickiMoselenandTerrySagefromBusinessCoachingNewZealand
CELEBRATINGTHE2024
NORTHLANDBUSINESS EXCELLENCEAWARDS
Over300peopleturnedouttorecogniseandcelebrate theoutstandingachievementsoflocalbusinessesand individualsatthe47thannualNorthlandBusiness ExcellenceAwardsonFriday,November1,2024.
Ahighlightoftheannualbusiness calendar,theAwardsnightbrings togetherbusinessentrants, sponsors,judges,andkeystakeholders fromacrossTaitokerau.
Theeventacknowledgestheoutstanding achievementsoflocalbusinessesand individualsacross17differentcategories groupedundereitherBusiness,Specialist orNominationentries.
Tophonoursfortheeveningwentto NorthlandWasteLtdwhowontheOne NZBestDigitalAdaptationcategory,their businesscategory-NDSLRicohNorthland ExcellenceinLargeBusiness,andthe NorthpowerandTopEnergyNorthland BusinessExcellenceSupremeAward.
NorthChamberCEOLeahMcKerrowsaid, “Thereweresomeexcellententriesandstrong contendersfortheSupremeAward,butinthe end,itwasNorthlandWastescultureofcare fortheirpeoplethatdecidedit.”
TonyandClareDavies-Colleyarethe firstcoupletobeinductedintotheHall ofFame,theircitationreadoutatthe
Awardsacknowledgedthemas‘aquiet yetformidableforcebehindsomeof Northland’slargestbusinessinnovation andgrowthprojectsoverthelast30years.’
TheAwardsprocessoffersavarietyof entryoptionstosuitdifferentbusiness sizes,ages,turnovers,andspecialisations.
Astandoutoftheeveningformanywas thisyear’swinneroftheMinistryofSocial DevelopmentHePoutamaTaiTamariki YouthEmployee–EmployerAward. RozlynFisher,atraineelinemechanicwith Northpowerwasacknowledgedasayoung leader,proactivelearner,problemsolver andanassettomultipleteamsacrossthe business.Inherimpressivelydelivered acceptancespeechRozlynacknowledged theunwaveringsupportfromNorthpower andtheparttheyhaveplayedinher growthandabilitytosecureastablefuture forheryoungfamily.
SpeakingonbehalfofTopEnergyand Northpowerasjointprincipalsponsors, RussellShaw,TopEnergyCEO,commented thatthetwoorganisationshavealways beenpassionatesupportersofbusiness
developmentacrossNorthland.He thankedallthebusinessentrantsfor puttingintheefforttoentertheawardsand investingintheirbusinesses’futuresuccess.
Hesaid,“Wesponsortheseawardsbecause weknowthetremendousvaluethat entrantsgetingoingthroughtheprocess.
Aspecialcitationwasreadoutat thisyearsBusinessExcellence AwardshonouringDavid‘DT’ Templeton,whoisretiringasTeam LeaderoftheBusinessGrowthand InnovationTeamatNorthlandInc. ItwasfittingtorecogniseDTinfront ofsomanylocalbusinessesthat hehassupported.NorthlandInc HeadofKaupapaMāori,Enterprise andInnovationPiripiMooresaid, “DT’sgenuinecareforlocalbusiness hasbeenaconstantinNorthland for23years.Hehasbeenamentor, asteadyhand,andaboveall,a believerinNorthland’spotential.” DTofficiallyretiresonDecember 19th2024.
Nomatterifyouwinornot,weknowthat youwillallhavegainedanewinsightinto yourbusinessesandarealreadytweaking theareasthatperhapsneedalittle attention.Theentryprocessisincredibly valuableandtheworkyouputinnowwill helpyoutogrowyourbusinesses,enabling youtothrive,andourregiontoprosper.”
STRONGCONNECTIONWITHNORTHLAND AKEYATTRIBUTEFORAWARDSJUDGES
GregAtkins,ConvenorofJudgesandDirectoratBDO,NorthlandLtd,highlightedtherigorousnatureoftheBusinessCategory entry,callingitoneofthecountry’smostchallengingawardsprocesses.Hepraisedalltheentrantsfortakingpartand encouragedthemtobeproudoftheirachievements,notingthattheprocesssetsahighstandardforNorthlandbusinesses.
twocategoriesthisyear:theWynnFraser ExcellenceinSmallBusinessAwardand theCreativeNorthlandExcellencein CreativeIndustries.
Hecongratulatedthewinnersandfinalists fortheiroutstandingachievements,stating thatthebenefitsgobeyondtrophiesand accolades;it’stheexperience,thelearning, andtheconnectionsmadealongtheway thatempowerourlocalbusinessestothrive.
Atkinsalsothankedthejudgesfor theirtime.Hesaid,“Judgingisahuge commitment,withanaverageof5-6 hoursperentryandupto10entrantsin somecategories,andthentravellingthe countrysidetomeettheentrants,plus providingconstructivefeedbackforall.”
Hestatedthereareseveralattributesto
lookforwhenselectingjudgesforthe BusinessExcellenceAwards,butthey musthaveanoverallstrongsenseof connectionwithNorthlandanddoing businesshere.Helooksforexperience andexpertise–knowledgeofbusiness operationsandstrategies;integrityand impartiality–unbiasedandmaintaining highethicalstandardstoensurethe credibilityoftheawards;acommitmentto excellence–judgesshouldbepassionate aboutpromotingbusinessexcellence;and confidentiality–judgesareexposedto sensitiveinformationaspartoftheprocess. Entrantsneedtobeconfidentthattheir informationwillnotbeshared.
Judgingofeachofthebusinesscategories isundertakeninpairs,toprovideagood mixoftheseattributesandunderstanding ofeachentrant.Financialandoperational
understandingarekeyareas,sobalancing thatknowledgeandbackgroundiscrucial. Judgesmustdeclareanyconflictofinterest andareswappedoutfromjudgingany businesswhereaconflictofinterestis identified.
AfinalattributeAtkinslooksforissense ofhumour.Hesaid,“wegetarounda lotofnewentrantsandbusinessesina processthatcanoftenbeintimidating tothem,sorelaxingtheinterviewhelps communicationandprovidesabetter experienceforall.”
Severalentrantsgavefeedbackonhow muchtheyenjoyedthe‘non-judgey’judges’ visits,wheretheywereputateaseand encouragedtosharetheirbusinessstory.
CarmenHowearth,directorNorthlandInc,David TempletonandPiripiMoore.
CONGRATULATIONS
TOTHENORTHLANDBUSINESSEXCELLENCEAWARD FINALISTS,WINNERS&THEBUSINESSHALLOFFAME INDUCTEESFOR2024
NorthpowerandTopEnergy
NorthlandBusinessExcellence SupremeAward
WorkplaceSafetyAward
FINALISTS
NorthlandWaste
HePoutamaTaitamarikiAward (YouthEmployeeoftheYear)
FINALISTS MeadowKapaWhite-
ExcellenceinCreative IndustriesAward
FINALIST PeekabooBackyardEatery
ExcellenceinSustainability andClimateActionAward
FINALIST
RuakakaBeachHolidayPark
BestDigitalAdaptationAward
FINALISTS
ProjectĀpōpō SeaLogsLtd
MoreFMCustomerChoiceAward
FINALISTS
CaciKerikeri GrandThai&IndianRestaurant HisandHersEventsLtd LittleDipperSwimSchoolandAquaticCentre LocalTalentTaverna PeekabooBackyardEatery ShopNZ
BestEmergingBusinessAward
FINALISTS
HisandHersEventsLtd
NorthlandCharteredAccountantsLtd
WINNER NorthlandWasteLtd
PHOTO:RussellShaw(Sponsor), MariaNoor,KarynWilliams,Calvin Thomas,AndrewMcLeod(Sponsor)
WINNER
NorthernDistrictsSecurity
PHOTOBack:ZharAntunovic, KellyKensington,StephanieIrwin, BrucePlunkettFront:Anne-MarieDignon, FrancoiseVaughan,GaryTrigg(Sponsor), JPDignon,NigelCaughey,CrystalWalding, MargaretPovey
WINNER RozlynFisher Employer:Northpower
PHOTO:EsetaTonutonu,HayleyMcrae, RozlynFisher,JosieBoyd& GrahamMacPherson(Sponsor)
WINNER PDCCreative
PHOTO:TravisBloem,JessStanley& OliviaGarelja(Sponsor)
WINNER
Photo:NatashaStubbing(Sponsor),Rick Stolwerk(Sponsor),StuHargie, Gibbard(Sponsor)
WINNER
NorthlandWasteLtd
PHOTO:DeenaPawson(Sponsor), MariaNoor,KarynWilliams, CalvinThomas
WINNER Barfoot&ThompsonProperty Management
PHOTO:LiamMarriner,SonjaJelsma, JeanineWalters,KristalDinnan, BecksMercer(Sponsor)
WINNER No.10BridalLtd
PHOTO:JasonReeves(Sponsor), ShontelleRemkes,MissyBennett, SimonDevoy(Sponsor)
BusinessCoachingNZVoucher
WINNER HisandHersEventsLtd
PHOTO:VickiMoselen(Sponsor), ChrisNewson,HelenWaterworth, TerrySage(Sponsor)
ExcellenceinBusiness MicroBusinessAward (1-3FTE)
FINALISTS
DynamicRecruitment ProjectĀpōpō VirtuallyAnything
WINNER
PHOTO:JonathanHarris(Sponsor)& StuHargie
ExcellenceinBusiness SmallBusinessAward (4-9FTE)
FINALISTS
DirectionRecruitmentLtd LimitlessPlumbingandGas RuakakaBeachHoliday
ExcellenceinBusiness MediumBusinessAward (10-20FTE)
FINALIST
BayofIslandsPlumbing&GasLtd
ExcellenceinBusiness LargeBusinessAward (>20+FTE)
FINALIST NorthernDistrictsSecurity
JudgesChoiceAward
JeroenJongejansInnovate NorthlandAward
FINALISTS
AlignedMovementLtd HisandHersEventsLtd R-DEVLtd
EmployeroftheYearAward
FINALISTS
BayofIslandsPlumbing&GasLtd ScopeTotalProjectPartners
TheNorthernAdvocate BusinessHallofFame
WINNER PDCCreative
PHOTO:AllanGray(Sponsor), TravisBloem,JessStanley, JoanLascuna(Sponsor)
WINNER ScopeTotalProjectPartners
PHOTO:DianneTeNana,NicoleAlach, KellyHaora,BenTomason, KarriWilliams(Sponsor)
WINNER NorthlandWasteLtd
PHOTO:CamThompson(Sponsor), MarcelaThompson(Sponsor), MariaNoor,KarynWilliams, CalvinThomas
WINNER KirstyJoyCreative
PHOTO:GregAtkins(Sponsor), KirstyJoy
WINNER KM2FinCrime
PHOTO:PiripiMoore(Sponsor), DamianMatich,KateMalcolm(Presenter)
WINNER MarsdenMetalsGroup
PHOTO:JanineAbernethy, DavidGrindle(Sponsor)& LeanneCampbell
INDUCTEES Clare&TonyDavies-Colley
PHOTO:GregAlexander(Sponsor), ClareDavies-Colley,TonyDavies-Colley
NORTHLAND INSPIRESUNIQUE ARTDESIGNSFOR AWARDSTROPHIES
combinationssymbolisingthediversenature ofNorthlandbusinesses.
ThestylizedTukutukupatternplayedwith lightthroughtheacrylic,evokingthelayered natureoflightintheNewZealandbush.
CoveringallareasnorthofAuckland, wedeliverreliableservicewithlocal expertisefromourofficesinWhangarei, Dargaville,Kerikeri,andKaitaia. TrustNorthernDistrictsSecurityfor dependableprotectionclosetohome.
NorthlandBusinessExcellenceAwardstrophies,craftedbylocalartistJasonPovey(topright).
NORTHPOWERANDTOPENERGY
IMPRESSEDBYCALIBREAT NORTHLANDBUSINESSESAWARDS
Principalsponsors,Northpowerand TopEnergyarepayingtributetoall businessesandjudgesinvolvedin the2024NorthChamberNorthland BusinessExcellenceAwards.
ChiefExecutivesAndrewMcLeod andRussellShawrespectively, believetheentrantsfrom throughoutNorthlandwereofan extremelyhighcalibreandtheyare encouraginganybusinessesthinking aboutenteringnextyeartodoso.
“Ourcongratulationsgotothewinnersof allthecategories,particularlytheSupreme Awardwinner,NorthlandWasteandHallof FameInductees,ClareandTonyDaviesColley,”thepairsay.
“Northlandnowhasmanybusinesseswho havegrownuphere,thengoneontobuild theirinfluenceacrossAotearoa.Northland Wasteisyetanotherexampleofthattrend.”
“ItwasaspecialmomenttoseeRozlyn Fisher,fromourownindustry,be recognisedasYouthEmployeeoftheYear,” MrMcLeodsays.
NorthpowerandTopEnergy,bothlocally ownedlinescompanies,aredrivento investinNorthlandandhelpsupportother businessesintheregion,whichiswhythey sponsortheNorthChamberNorthland BusinessExcellenceAwards.
TopEnergy’sRussellShawsaysNorthland ishometomanyworldclass,innovative andsuccessfulbusinessesandthequality ofentrieshasagainshownthestrengthand breadthoflocalbusinesses.
“Thelastfewyearshasseenmanyexternal factorsimpactonourbusinessesand communities,butwecontinuetosupport eachother,andthathasdevelopeda levelofresiliencethatwillhelpourregion continuetothrive,”saysMrShaw.
“Thatattitudeandabilitytoadaptis reflectiveofthevaluesthatTopEnergyand NorthpowerasTrust-ownedbusinesses mustliveandoperatebyeveryday.”
ItisapointbackedbyMrMcLeodwhosays it’srewardingtobeinvolvedinaneventthat celebratestheunique‘let’smakeitpersonal andhavesomefun’styleofdoingbusiness inthenorth.
“Beinginvolvedintheawardsgetsus closetothecultureandattitudeofthese businesses.
Thewinnersofthisyear’sawardsaregreat examplesofbusinessesturningupstrongly tomakeadifferenceinourcommunity.It’s nicetotakeabreathandrecognisetheir
“Wearealsoveryluckytohaveajudging panelwhowillinglyofferuptheir
Bothmenagreethatthevalueofthe awardsisbeingpartofaprocesswhich
TheNorthernAdvocateHallofFame inducteesClareandTonyDavies-Colleymake theirwaythroughthecrowd.
BUSINESSCATEGORYJUDGES:
PaulineRose–EmergingCategoryJudge PaulinehasextensivebusinessexperiencewithlargeNZ corporates,localgovernmentandsmallerprivatelyowned companies.SheworkswithNorthlandbasedbroadband providerUberGroupandalongsideherhusbandHughshe alsorunsLandoftheLotusWatergardens&BananaPark inMaungatapere.ShehasbeenajudgeoftheNorthland BusinessExcellenceAwardsformanyyears,isaLifeMember ofthePublicRelationsInstituteofNZandaregularjudgeofits awards,andaNZJusticeofthePeace.Paulinealsosteppedin asasmallcategoryjudgethisyear.
SusanCooney–MicroCategoryJudge
SusanfromOxygen8Consultingbringsover30yearsof businessexperienceacrossindustriesandrolesincluding consulting,strategicplanning,operationalmanagement, marketing,training,andpublicspeaking.Herskillsin trainingprovideanaturalplatformfromwhichtohelp businessownersidentifytheirtruebusinessandlifegoals, andthendevelopthemeanstoattainthem.Shejudged YoungEnterprisestudentsin2022andthisisherthirdyear judgingtheNorthlandBusinessExcellenceAwards.
GregAtkins-SmallCategoryJudge DirectoratBDONorthlandLtd,CharteredAccountant,Greg focusesonSME’sinNorthland,specialisinginnewbusiness start-ups,businessvaluations,andrestructuringandgeneral accountingassistance.GreghasbeenConvenorofJudges fortheNorthlandBusinessExcellenceAwardsformorethan 11years.Outsidework,GreghasheldpreviousTrustee,Board andhonorarypositionsinthecommunity.
PaulVisser-MediumandLargeCategoryJudge Paulisnowinhisthirdtermasajudgethisyear.Hehasbeen inbankingforover20yearshelpingNorthlandBusinesses growandsucceed.Initiallyfocussingonsmallbusinessand SmalltoMediumsizedEnterprises,heisnowaCorporate RelationshipManageratWestpacBankwherehehasworked forover17yearsinvariousroles,bothintheWhangareiand intheFarNorth.Outsidework,Paulisakeenmotorcyclistand lovesexploringtheBayofIslandsbyyacht.
Specialistcategoryjudging
BradFlower-EmergingCategoryJudge Bradhasworkedinseniormanagementrolesforover 25years,specificallyintheinfrastructureindustryin Northland.HeiscurrentlyaDirectoroffourNorthland basedcompaniesincludingOnsiteProjectSolutionsLtdand isanIndependentDirectorofWhaiManawawhichisthe commercialentityofTeRunungaoNgatiWhatua.Bradhas beenontheExecutiveCommitteeoftheCivilContractors NZ,NorthlandBranchfor17yearsandistheheadjudgefor theirannualawards.BradhasbeenontheboardofKamo SoccerClubforthepast36yearsandisanelectedTrustee ontheTikipungaHighSchoolBoard.
JamieRosemergy-MicroCategoryJudge Withover25years’experienceinleadership,recruitment, andcoachingintheRoyalNewZealandNavyandacross numerousindustrysectors.Jamiebringsthatwealthof knowledgeandconnectionintohisroleasRegionalLabour MarketManagerMSD.Heunderstandshowimportantlocal businessistothesuccessoftheregionandisalwayswilling toassistwherehecanhelpthosebusinessesgrow.
TeresaWatkins-SmallCategoryJudge
TeresaWatkinsistheownerofMonsterCreative.Withover 10yearsofexperiencerunningherownbusinesswhereher focusisonsales,marketing.andempoweringherteam.She hasbeenaboardmemberofWhārikiTaiTokerau,aMāori BusinessNetworkingagencyandiscommittedtofostering bondsofwhanaungatangatosupportbusinessesinthe region.Thisisherfirstyearasajudgeunderthementorship ofJudgeConvenerGregAtkins,andshehasfoundita privilegetomeetsomanyinspiringandsuccessfulbusiness ownersacrossTaitokerau.
Specialistcategoryjudgesarechosenfortheirexperienceand subjectmatterproficiencyinthespecificcategorytheyare assessing.Often,theywillbearepresentativefromthesponsor ofthecategoryandincludeoneormoreindependentswhobring businessandindustryknowledgetothetable.
DerekSlatter-MediumandLargeCategoryJudge DerekhasstrongconnectionstoTaitokerau,havingbeen borninKaikoheandlivinginWhangareiforover30years. HebeganhiscareerasaRegisteredValuer,thenmovedinto leadershiprolesinfinance,agribusiness,wholesaling,and technology.Hisextensiveexperienceincludesmanagement andgovernancepositionsinboththepublicandprivate sectors.Derekisapassionateadvocateforcommunity causesinsports,theenvironment,andeducation.Heis activelyinvolvedinpropertydevelopment,commercial directorships,andisanexperiencedmediatorandfacilitator incommercialdisputes.
Thankstothefollowingfortheirtimeand support:
•CreativeandCultural:OliviaGarelja, GeneralManager,andNyreeSherlock, CreativeNorthland.
•NorthlandInc.JeroenJongejansInnovate Award:JulesSmith,Director,Again; PaulLinton,CEO,NorthlandInc.;and PatrickMalley,Director,OnyxCapital Ltd,MaungataperePackingLtd,and MaungatapereBerriesLtd.
•ExcellenceinSustainability:NatalieChild
andKimWall,NorthlandRegionalCouncil.
•ACCWorkplaceHealthandSafety:Pete OxleyandPhillipTana,ACC
•BestDigitalAdaptation:DeenaPawson,One NZ.
•EmployeroftheYear(anewcategory): DavidGrindleandKeziaPurdie,WRMK Lawyers.
•TheNorthernAdvocateHallofFame:panel includingRachelWardandChookHenare ofNZME,TimRobinson,NorthChamber BoardPresident,andKenWilson,GT Advantage.