ANZ Business of the Year Awards 2024 finalists revealed

The finalists have been shortlisted for the ANZ Business of the Year Awards and the all-important judging round will soon get under way, amid much excitement.

When entries to the event closed last month, organisers counted 122, which is a huge jump from when the Ashburton District awards were first held in 2022.

Council is partnering with Ri Ra Events to host the awards and Ri Ra marketing director Colm McGrath said the final count had exceeded both the target and expectations.

“We’re thrilled with the number and quality of entries, and they represent a great cross-section of our business community. We’ve seen a mix of established businesses, who’ve been doing well for a number of years, and some relative newcomers and start-ups, so we’re thrilled. We’ve shortlisted nearly 50 in the various categories, and some appear in more than one group because of their many talents.”

The next phase of the awards involves judges meeting with the shortlisted businesses to talk more indepth about what they do and what they have achieved. Winners will be announced at a gala evening at the Ashburton Aviation Museum superhangar on Friday 23 February - the aviation museum was a winner in the inaugural awards in 2022, taking top spot in the tourism category.



The gala evening is open to all businesses to attend. Category winners are eligible for the supreme business excellence award, which will be decided by Mayor Neil Brown.

The finalists are –

Excellence in Primary Industries: Agricultural Consulting Services (Canterbury) Ltd, Potato Seed Co-op Ltd, May Brothers Contracting Ltd, Veterinary Enterprises Group Ltd (VetEnt).

Excellence in Customer Experience: Big Al’s, The Dog House, Escape Adventures NZ, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Wrights Drycleaners Ltd.

Excellence in Workplace Wellbeing: Jan Maree Cleaning Services Ltd, Juice Signs + Design, RX Plastics Ltd, Tavendale and Partners Ltd, Veterinary Enterprises Group.

Excellence in Community Impact: Kai for Kids Charitable Trust, Safer Mid Canterbury – Hakatere Haumaru,  Staveley Ice & Curling Rink, Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust.

Excellence in Professional Services: Chilton + Mayne Architecture Ltd, Crispin Design, Rushton Marketing, Tavendale and Partners Ltd.

Excellence in Tourism: Escape Adventures NZ, Hemsworth Estate, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Staveley Ice & Curling Rink.

Excellence in Manufacturing: RX Plastics Limited, Smith Attachments Ltd, Cullimore Engineering.

Excellence in Technology & Innovation: Agricultural Consulting Services (Canterbury) Ltd, Baskiville Ltd, Cullimore Engineering, Diesel-Tech Machinery, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa.

Excellence in Export: Hemprino, Quigley Feeds NZ, Creepers Socks, RX Plastics.

Excellence in Environmental Sustainability: Jan Maree Cleaning Services Ltd, Hemprino, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Wrights Drycleaners Apparelmaster.

Emerging New Business: Berry Beauty Co. Ltd, Fern and Feta Platters, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa, Quigley Feeds NZ.

Emerging Business Leader: A Team Construction, Berry Beauty Co. Ltd, Cullimore Engineering Ltd, Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa.

Excellence in Retail/Hospitality: Berry Beauty Co. Ltd, Big Al’s, Cleavers Corner Gastro Pub, Stronechrubie Restaurant & Accommodation, Triangle Espresso.

Excellence in Business Leadership: To be announced at the awards evening.