Frequently Asked Questions

Is my business eligible to enter?

• Your business should be one whole legal entity (e.g. Company, Trust, Sole trader) and any subsidiaries that are consolidated into the entity by GAAP. (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• You should be able to provide one set of accounts (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet) that includes the whole entity. That is the entity being judged.
• You should be locally owned and operated. I.e, the governance structure being judged (e.g. Board, Trustees, Owner), should be Northland based and responsible for all the decisions and take all the risks, relating to that business e.g. funding, systems, marketing, HR, compliance. They should also have the ultimate choice of how to provide all inputs. For example, a Franchisee cannot choose to use alternative services for many of their major business inputs.
• You are solely responsible for the budget and strategic plan of the whole legal entity and must be able to demonstrate that within your Northland business.

Below is our 2026 Northland Business Excellence Awards: Guidelines & Information Booklet.

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Does it cost me to enter?

There is no cost to enter the awards.

Do I need to be a NorthChamber member to enter?

No, you don’t need to be a NorthChamber member to enter the awards. However, membership offers your business many benefits including events and networking, free business advice and more.

How long will it take me to enter?

This depends on how easy it is for you to gather the information for your entry. The process of entering is usually helpful for your business so the time you take to enter is never wasted. Once you have gathered your information the application process should take approximately four hours. If you have any questions, please contact us to assist you.

Do the award criteria take into account an organisation’s financial performance?

Yes, however this does not need to be submitted in the application form. Any information regarding financial performance will be requested at the site visit only and you will be contacted to discuss this prior to your site visit.

Judging Process

The judging process will combine a desk-top business study with a follow up on-site judges visit from the Northland Business Excellence Awards judging panel. A modified Baldrige criteria based closely on a standard developed by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation will be used. This system allows for the equitable comparison of businesses of unlike scale and nature based on measurable qualities.

All judges sign a confidentiality agreement and are required to disclose any conflict of interest that may arise from any entrant business. Also if any entrant feels they would be unfairly disadvantaged by being judged then that judge can be substituted without prejudice, by contacting ceo@northchamber.co.nz

What entrants and winners receive

Value proposition for Awards Entrants:

• Opportunity to receive an industry-approved Business Health Check clarifying your current position and future opportunities.
• A ‘Business of Excellence’ entrant endorsement to display on your digital media.
• Attend presentation events, meet key industry figures, and network with like-minded businesspeople.
• Entrants have the opportunity to benchmark your business against others, both within and outside your industry.
• A dedicated capability build session with an Awards coach to review your entry and judges’ feedback.
• Have the chance to promote your business with national exposure to new customers and potential partners.
• Celebrate the journey of your business to date with your staff and customers.
• Name and logo in relevant pre & post award media advertising.

Value proposition for Category Winners:

• Your business featured on the Business Awards and NorthChamber websites for 12 months.
• Opportunity to profile your business through a NorthChamber event.
• Opportunity to speak as a panellist or guest speaker at a NorthChamber function.
• Two free event tickets to one NorthChamber function. (Excluding the Business Awards.)
• A Business of Excellence Finalist Endorsement to display on your digital media and permission to display the NorthChamber Awards Winner logo on company stationery and advertising material.
• NZME media package in the Northern Advocate consisting of a full business diagnostic to review current marketing, plus a media package including creative and production to the value of $2000.00 +GST. (Excludes More FM Customer Choice winners and Northern Advocate Hall of Fame inductee).
• MediaWorks (radio) media package valued at $1150+GST includes $500 airtime and $650 Creative and production.
• A bespoke local artist created trophy, winner certificate and feature in post Awards Media including Northern Advocate Feature, NorthChamber e-news and social media.
• Innovate category winner also receives a feature in the Business Growth and Innovation – Northland NZ e-newsletter and a social media post.

Value proposition for the Northland Business Excellence Supreme Winner

• Premium NorthChamber membership package for the following year.
• Opportunity to guest speak or take part as a panellist at a NorthChamber function.
• Two complimentary event tickets to one NorthChamber function.
• Two discounted (50%) event tickets to one NorthChamber function.
• Two complimentary tickets to the Business Awards Presentation for the following year.
• A Business of Excellence Supreme Winner Endorsement to display on your digital media and permission to display the NorthChamber Awards Winner logo on company stationery and advertising material
• A special Business After 5 hosting opportunity. Offer includes Venue – at The Orchard, NorthChamber event and marketing support. Catering and drinks to be covered by the winner
• NZME media package in the Northern Advocate consisting of a full business diagnostic to review current marketing, plus a media package inclusive of creative and production to the value of $3500+gst
• MediaWorks (radio) media package valued at $2150+GST including $1500 airtime and $650 creative and production (Consisting of the category winner prize and supreme award prize).
• Opportunity to feature your business through a NorthChamber event.
• Your business featured on the Business Awards and NorthChamber websites for 12 months.
• The bespoke local artist created Supreme winner trophy, winner certificate and feature in the post Awards Media including Northern Advocate Feature, NorthChamber e-news and social media.