2017 Winners

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The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the winners of the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards 2017. Head judge and financial assessor, Raimarie Pointon, said there were a large number of entrants representing a wide range of high calibre local businesses, with a clear theme of entrants showing more entrepreneurship and innovation. Pointon said local businesses had embraced technology as the cornerstone for carefully considered and well-structured strategy.

Retail Excellence: Sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors

Winner: Paper Plane
Finalist: Fresh Choice Omokoroa

Emerging Business: Sponsored by Toi Ohomai

Winner: Maker Studio Ltd
Finalist: Acon Industries 2015 Ltd

Manufacturing &/or Distribution Award: Sponsored by Powerco

Winner: Bethlehem Coachlines
Finalist: AJC Distribution

Embracing Digital Technology: Sponsored by Vodafone

Winner: 1st Call Recruitment
Finalist: Exceed Franchising Ltd
Finalist: Forsite

Tourism & Hospitality Award: Sponsored by Holland Beckett

Winner: Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers
Finalist: Bethlehem Coachlines

Service Excellence Award: Sponsored by YOU Travel

Winner: Tauranga Veterinary Services Ltd
Finalist: Quentoisity Ltd
Finalist: Adam Taylor Architecture
Finalist: First Mortgage Trust

Social Enterprise Award: Sponsored by Bay of Connections

Winner: Te Puke Gymsport Incor
Finalist: Safe Surfer
Finalist: Young Innovator Awards

Sustainable Business Practices: Sponsored by Bay of Plenty Business News

Winner: Paper Plane
Highly Commended: Young Innovator Awards

Customer Service Award: Sponsored by Trustpower

Winner: Bureta Physiotherapy Ltd
Finalist: Nurtured at Home Ltd
Finalist: Kidz Jigz Ltd
Finalist: Tauranga Veterinary Services Ltd

Workplace Safety Award: Sponsored by ACC

Winner: Tauranga City Council
Finalist: Bethlehem Coachlines
Highly Commended: 1st Call Recruitment

Business Innovation Award: Sponsored by Zespri

Winner: Property Managers Group
Finalist: HZP+Co NZ Ltd
Finalist: Young Innovator Awards
Finalist: Safe Surfer

Corporate Leadership Award: Sponsored by Waikato Management School

Winner: Tui Products

Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year:

Winner: 1st Call Recruitment

This year’s Westpac Business of the Year is 1st Call Recruitment. 1st Call Recruitment started out with one branch in Tauranga in 2006 and has now grown to five nationally, managing up to 1800 placements daily. It was that success which has helped the business scoop the top prize at the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards 2017.

The business, which also won the Vodafone Embracing Digital Technology award, manages between 1200 to 1800 placements daily. Its growth in the last four years took place in an industry with increasing legislation and compliance requirements.

This year saw an increased number of entrants in the awards, with a wide mix of businesses across all sectors and business practices.

Each year the judges speak of how positively they view the experience of visiting some of the organisations operating in the region and of the pleasure and sense of privilege they take from engaging with people passionate about their businesses.

The business recognised for corporate leadership this year was Tui Products, a company headquartered in Tauranga with branches in the South Island and Palmerston North, and an initiative in Kawerau.

Tui Products is a privately-owned company employing more than 80 people and with a number of community initiatives, including gardens in schools teaching young students how to grow their own vegetables.

Westpac area commercial manager Clare Basire said the awards were about taking time out of acknowledge business excellence.

Congratulations to the 2017 Westpac Tauranga Business Awards winners – we’re sure this is a stepping stone to even greater business success,” she said.