fbpx

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Northland Business Excellence Awards 

Click here to download the full winners and finalists list for 2023

The 46th Annual Northland Business Excellence Awards presentation and celebration evening took place on Friday November 3, 2023.  

320 people attended the black-tie event which brought together Awards entrants, sponsors, judges, and key stakeholders from across Tai Tokerau to celebrate and honour the outstanding achievements of local businesses, and individuals.   

Entrants submitted entries across five categories ranging from Emerging to Large Business and ten Specialist categories, with category winners vying for the overall honour of the Northpower and Top Energy Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award.
 

Northpower and Top Energy Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award 

Winner 

  • Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland  

Judges comment 

The Judges were impressed by the ease and grace with which Hoon runs a highly successful business from Whangarei, supplying products designed in New Zealand and sourced offshore to 32 countries via 15 regional distributors.  

Dodoland’s genuine and practical commitment to social and ethical responsibility and their minimal environmental footprint rounded off an excellent entry from this very deserving winner. 

 

The Northern Advocate Business Hall of Fame Inductee 

Inductee 

  • Barry Trass 

Nomination Summary 

Barry has been in business in Northland for over 47 years, in that time he with the  support of his wife Jenny have established and run a range of business enterprises ranging from construction, property development, car importation and jewellery to boat building. These include well known ventures such as Homeworld Design and Build, The Falls Lifestyle Estate, and Oakhaven Hospital.  

He has always had a strong vision for Whangārei and the region championing various development projects to advance Whangarei. He was for may years engaged in the Whangarei Economic Group (WEG), Ruakaka Economic Development Group (REDG), and has since been the founding trustee and chairperson of Prosper Northland Trust (PNT).  

 

Wynn Faser Best Emerging Business Award  

Finalist 

  • Consult QSR 

Winner 

  • Shadeland Te Tai Tokerau 

Judges comment 

A fast-growing business specialising in the installation and maintenance of shade and shelter solutions. The judges were impressed by their strong growth and profitability, great team, strategic focus and adoption of technology. 

 

tlc4u2 Ltd Excellence in Business Micro Business Award  

Finalists 

  • Coffee News Whangarei 
  • Nifty Dog Grooming 

Winner 

  • Extraordinary Skin and Body Studio 

Judges comment 

Extraordinary Skin & Body Studio have a remarkable commitment to empowering women, offering a unique service covering both beauty and health. They have a community approach to fitness focused on having fun and the client’s journey. Their team involvement in the business growth and the commitment to a positive workplace culture sees this business well placed to excel.  

 

WRMK Lawyers Excellence in Business Small Business Award  

Finalist 

  • Bravado Hair Salon 
  • NZ Petrol Refunds 
  • Whangārei Top 10 Holiday Park and Motels 

Winner 

  • Ontrack Bookkeeping Ltd 

Judges comment 

Ontrack Bookkeeping is a great example of a business who is doing lots of things really well. They know their specialist niche and focus on being experts in the market they serve.  

 Excellent processes, smart use of IT and cloud-based services, along with a great team culture with all members buying into the vision ensures a happy working environment.  

Di contributes back to the industry as a member of a number of industry organisations, including a leadership role in the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers. Succession planning is well in hand, and the new Small Business Training Hub has the exciting potential to develop new ongoing revenue streams delivering courses online. 

 

Marsden Maritime Holdings Ltd Excellence in Business Medium Business Award  

Finalists 

  • Northland Petfood 
  • Northland Vegetation Control 2012 Ltd 

Winner 

  • Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland 

Judges comment 

Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland’s vision to “encourage people to appreciate all living beings and protect the planet with minimal impact” underpins their business philosophy and was evident throughout their entry.   

It ticked every box in the business excellence process with attention to detail, thorough processes, excellent information, and analysis, with a wealth of information available for decision-making.  

Judges were impressed by the ease and grace with which Hoon runs a highly successful business from Whangarei, supplying products designed in New Zealand and sourced offshore to 32 countries via 15 regional distributors.   

Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland’s genuine and practical commitment to social and ethical responsibility and their minimal environmental footprint rounded off an excellent entry from this very deserving winner. 

NDSL Ricoh Northland Excellence in Business Large Business Award  

Finalist 

  • Northland Forestry Nursery Ltd. 

Winner 

  • Portstar Plastics 2017 Ltd 

Judges comment 

Portstar Plastics Ltd is based in Ruawai, producing rotational moulding plastic parts for a range of industries including electrical, wastewater, agricultural, marine and retail.  

This family owned and operated business employs 15 staff should we leave out staff number as this was bumped up from medium category and impressed the judges with the level of staff involvement in the judging process as well as all levels of business operation. 

This dedicated team along with the adoption of LEAN processes has seen a dramatic increase in productivity in challenging times in the industry. 

  

Accident Compensation Corporation Workplace Injury Prevention Award 

Finalists 

  • Little Dippers Swim School and Aquatic Centre 
  • Shadeland Te Tai Tokerau 

Winner 

  • Northland Vegetation Control 2012 Ltd. 

Judges comment 

Northland Vegetation Control is a small family-owned spraying, planting and maintenance business based in Northland. 

Owners and operators, Rochelle and Chance Campbell have grown the business from when they purchased it.  They have exemplary health and safety processes and procedures and  provide one-on-one training to upskill their workers on the risks around chemical, environmental, transport, planting equipment and machinery.  

As some of their clients are large private and government owned organisations the importance of having good health and safety processes and procedures is paramount.  

They take a holistic approach to staff wellbeing, providing a social area where staff can play pool and darts during breaks, and arranging digital connectivity when staff are away in remote areas. Northland Vegetation Control also contribute to their local community by being involved in and sponsoring community events and initiatives. 

 Creative Northland Excellence in Cultural and Creative Industries Award  

Finalists 

  • Soil and Sand Clothing 
  • Bravado Hair Salon 

Winner 

  • Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland 

Judges comment 

Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland is a business, which has achieved international recognition, while showing an incredible level of resilience throughout the covid-era and steady development, since its inception in Northland 12 years ago.  The judges saw Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland as a wonderful example of innovative entrepreneurship, starring a creative Graphic Designer from Korea, who had a dream, created a business plan and worked tenaciously to achieve its reality. 

This sustainable business has systems in place to be well-aligned and responsive to their global market, while maintaining the ability to steadily expand. In addition, throughout the hardships of the recent covid-era, this business has remained sustainable, flexible and vital, due to their educational eco-friendly product and their innovative business frame.  

Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland is truly a success story and a business to aspire to.   

  

EMA Recognition of Social Impact – Not For Profit Award  

Finalists 

  • Alzheimer’s Society Northland Inc. 
  • Whangārei Accessible Housing Trust 

Winner 

  • R Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust 

Judges comment 

R Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust’s thorough, professional entry demonstrated an excellent response to changing circumstances and market drivers, led and empowered by a new CEO.  

Strategy has been reset, and when challenged by an opportunity to deviate from the plan, careful analysis led the team to the right decision to stay on their path.  

Excellent, carefully measured results with youth development, partnership involvement with local businesses to help fill job vacancies and a clear focus on where and how most good can be done by the team, made this entry stand out to the judges. 

 

Ministry of Social Development He Poutama Taitamariki Award (Youth Employee and Employer of the Year Award).  

Finalists 

  • Troy Robertson – Taimahi Trust 
  • Mahoney Pou – Ministry of Social Development 
  • Winner – Employee Connor Blackburn – Activ8 Northland 
  • Winner – Employer Activ8 Northland 

Connor has shown tremendous growth in his confidence since taking on the job as a Personal Trainer at Activ8. He was able to persevere through mental challenges with the support of his employer, who were there to boost his confidence and create a safe space for him to share new ideas, laughs and banter.  From people with disabilities, injuries, mental health issues and more, Connor’s attention to detail and personable programming has changed the lives of many in our community. 

 

More FM Customer Choice Award  

Finalists 

  • Northland Petfood 
  • Extraordinary Skin and Body Studio 
  • Captain Donut Kaitaia 
  • PK Tyres 
  • Inspire Art by Jessie Rose 

Winner 

  • Bin Inn Kamo 

Customer Comments 

They felt valued and appreciated when shopping there. They leave happier than when they went in. There is always a great choice of so many items and if looking for something unusual it can usually be found at Bin Inn. The prices are more than reasonable.  

 

Northland Inc – Jeroen Jongejans Innovate Northland Award  

Finalists 

  • Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland 
  • 818 Ink Ltd 
  • Northland Accounting & Altitude Advisors Ltd 
  • SubBase Building Technology 

Winner 

  • Geobind 

Judges comment 

Geobind have created a binding material that mixes with waste fibrous materials (currently Hemp) to create a sustainable building material for use on vertical walling systems.  

This binding product is stronger and more environmentally friendly than any other material on the market. Any waste can be crushed and reused or composted. It is breathable, has no gassing, eliminates dampness, is strong and withstands complete immersion in water.  

The construction industry is struggling with waste minimisation. With increasing demand for, and a shortage of ecofriendly building materials, this truly carbon neutral product is an exciting prospect. 

The judges were impressed with the detailed work that been put into the development of this product – ensuring it is backed by science. They are a small passionate team with a huge market opportunity and lots of international interest. 

  

Northland Regional Council Excellence in Sustainability and Climate Action Award  

Finalists 

  • EB FLO Apparel 
  • Bravado Hair Salon 

Winner 

  • Peekaboo Backyard Eatery 

Judges comment 

Peekaboo Backyard Eatery look at all aspects of their business operation and have found innovative and effective ways to reduce their ecological footprint across the entire business. Initiatives include installing energy efficient appliances, minimising food waste, sourcing products in recyclable packaging, using reusable cups, sourcing local food and beverages, composting coffee grounds, harvesting rainwater for use on their garden, installing a solar array with battery storage and running 2 electric vehicles.  They donate leftover food to the local foodbank, to reduce food wastage. They have overcome obstacles and challenges on the way to meeting their environmental goals, but by persevering to find innovative solutions and supporting others to understand the environmental philosophy of their business, they are leading the way for change.  

Although small scale they are exemplars to everyone that walks through their doors of the types of actions individuals, households and businesses can take to contribute to a more sustainable, climate positive future.   

 

One NZ Best Digital Adaptation Award  

Finalist 

  • Greatures NZ Ltd – Dodoland 

Winner 

  • Northland Forestry Nursery Ltd. 

Judges comment 

The judges thought Northland Forestry Nursery Limited had done an amazing job with the adaption to technology. Embracing it at every corner from Starlink for reliable internet to a security system that can be interrogated using cell phone technology and even self-steering tractors! 

  

BDO Northland Judges Choice Award 

Judges Choice 

  • Soil and Sand Clothing 

Judges comment 

The judges wanted to highlight that Soil & Sand Clothing even through adversity, was able to grow sales and presence via smart business decisions which included identifying opportunities to partner with others and working tirelessly in communities across New Zealand.   

They have complimentary offerings of original designs that reflect the cultural significance of the region and team sports uniforms.  They offer a high level of service and quality products they should be proud of their achievements to date.   With time, business planning and promotion of their services the judges can see Soil and Sand achieving great things in Te Taitokerau.  

 

Business Coaching New Zealand Voucher 

Joint Winners 

  • Little Dippers Swim School and Aquatic Centre 
  • Northland Pet Food 

 

Back to top