High calibre finalists in NZ International Business Awards

Media release: 2016 NZIBA

Embargoed 6am 10 October 2016

High calibre finalists in 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards

From laser tag gaming equipment and powerboats, to animation software - a diverse crop of finalists has been named in the 50th annual New Zealand International Business Awards.

This year marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the prestigious awards, run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with strategic partner ANZ.

The awards celebrate the success of New Zealand businesses on the world stage, and over the past half century many of New Zealand’s most iconic companies have been celebrated, including Tonka, Tip Top and the Apple and Pear Marketing Board (ENZA).

Entries came from companies up and down the country, and a broad range of sectors, with 24 finalists named today.

NZTE’s chief executive Peter Chrisp says celebrating the achievements of New Zealand’s most successful exporters helps to build their profile, and that of New Zealand’s.

"We are again highly impressed by the stories of success within these awards, and the pioneering way these companies apply their tenacity and ingenuity to build their businesses overseas,” Mr Chrisp says.

“New Zealand cannot grow by selling to ourselves, so the success of these businesses is not only good for them but also good for New Zealand. That’s worth celebrating.”

This year’s finalists share a common strategy of targeting niche, high-value markets for international growth.

ANZ New Zealand’s Managing Director, Commercial & Agri, Mark Hiddleston says the 50th anniversary of these awards is a great opportunity to celebrate a long line of Kiwi companies who have taken on the world.

“This year’s entries and finalists show there are many amazing companies following in the footsteps of our iconic export success stories,” Mr Hiddleston says.

“This new generation of export companies is forging paths into new and existing markets with the focus, innovation and determination to succeed that New Zealand exporters are respected around the world for.

“At ANZ, we’d like to pay tribute to all this year’s entries. A strong export sector is crucial for New Zealand and these companies have proven they have what it takes to achieve success at home and overseas.”

Winners of the New Zealand International Business Awards will be announced at a black tie ceremony in Auckland onNovember 24.

The awards other sponsors are KPMG, MFAT, Callaghan Innovation, Kotahi, Special Group, MBIE, Te Puni Kōkiri and Treasury. NZME is the awards’ official media partner.

For more information about the finalists and the awards please visit www.nziba.co.nz

Finalists in the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards

GENERAL CATEGORY FINALISTS

ANZ Best Emerging Business – Under $10m

• Delta Strike International (Christchurch)

• Haka Tourism Group (Auckland)

• Timely (Dunedin)

• Volpara Health Technologies (Wellington)

ANZ Best Medium Business – $10m-$50m

• 90 Seconds (Auckland)

• ARANZ Geo (Christchurch)

• Hobbiton Movie Set Tours (Waikato)

• WhereScape Software (Auckland)

ANZ Best Large Business – Over $50m

• Cubic Defence New Zealand (Auckland)

• Gallagher Group (Waikato)

• GMP Pharmaceuticals Group (Auckland)

• New Zealand Mint (Auckland)

• NIG Nutritionals (Auckland)

• Orion Health (Auckland)

• Prolife Foods (Waikato)

• Tegel Foods (Auckland)

SPECIAL CATEGORY FINALISTS

Excellence in Innovation, supported by Callahan Innovation

• 90 Seconds (Auckland)

• New Zealand Mint (Auckland)

• Orion Health (Auckland)

• Straker Translations (Auckland)

Excellence in Marketing, supported by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT)

• Haka Tourism Group (Auckland)

• New Zealand Mint (Auckland)

• Tekron International (Wellington)

Excellence in Operations and Supply Chain, supported by Kotahi

• GMP Pharmaceuticals Group (Auckland)

• New Zealand Mint (Auckland)

• Tasman Bay Food Group (Nelson)

Excellence in Design, supported by Special Group

• Flux Animation Studio (Auckland)

• Gallagher Group (Waikato)

• Stabicraft Marine (Invercargill)

• Westland Milk Products (Hokitika)

He kai kei aku ringa for Māori Excellence in Export, supported by The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Te Puni Kōkiri, The Treasury

• Kiwa Digital (Auckland)

• Ngai Tahu Tourism (Christchurch)

• Straker Translations (Auckland)

Excellence in Leadership, supported by KPMG

• This category bypasses the finalist stage - the winner will be selected by the judging panel and announced at the awards ceremony in Auckland on November 24.

About the New Zealand International Business Awards

The New Zealand International Business Awards are run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and celebrate the success of New Zealand businesses on the world stage.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the awards and in that time many of New Zealand’s most iconic companies have been celebrated, including Tonka, Tip Top and the Apple and Pear Marketing Board (ENZA).

To celebrate 50 years of business icons, a special exhibition has been created that will be on display at the awards ceremony in Auckland on November 24.

ANZ has been the awards’ strategic partner since 2009. The awards other sponsors are KPMG, MFAT, Callaghan Innovation, Special Group, Kotahi, MBIE, Te Puni Kōkiri and Treasury.

The awards winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony in Auckland on November 24. To find out more about the awards, or book your tickets to the awards ceremony, visit www.nziba.co.nz

Follow updates: Twitter: @NZTEnews, #NZIBA; Facebook: facebook.com/NZtradeandenterprise; Google+:plus.google.com/+nzte; Online: www.nziba.co.nz

About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)

NZTE is the Government’s international business development agency, helping to boost global reach and build capability so our companies can grow bigger, better, faster. We leverage our connections and government influence on behalf of businesses, and apply local knowledge – from the NZTE team and a network of private sector experts – to help them enter and grow in international markets. www.nzte.govt.nz

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