MEDIA RELEASE - Embargoed until 10am Tuesday 14 July 2015 Finalists Announced in the 2015 Waipa Networks Business Awards. The Waipa Networks Business Awards encourages business excellence, providing businesses and organisations in the Waipa and Raglan regions the opportunity to show case their success. The Awards is a robust process. Entrants are required to submit an evidence based entry that clearly demonstrates and is supported by the information supplied in their written entry. Andrew Buchanan-Smart of the Waikato University Management School said, the level and quality of entry into the Waipa Networks Business Awards continues to improve every year, which indicates business in Waipa and Raglan is in an excellent position. Tania Witheford - CEO Cambridge Chamber of Commerce said, It is refreshing and exciting to see the enthusiasm and passion from the judges, inspired by the level of innovation and excellence displayed by entrants. This fuels confidence about the health of our business community and validates the importance of the Business Awards as a way to encourage and support business in the pursuit of excellence. Businesses enter the Awards to win. Whilst winning is always the ultimate, the entry process adds exceptional value by providing the opportunity to review strategic direction, planning, gain insight into strengths and opportunities, and for the business to take back valuable comments and feedback made by the judges, said Susan Trodden CEO Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce. We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2015 Waipa Networks Business Awards! Our congratulations go to all entrants and finalists of the 2015 Awards. EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS: The University of Waikato Management School have diligently judged and marked entries for the 2015 Excellence categories. Only businesses who clearly demonstrate excellence across a range of measures are chosen to be finalists. The Finalists are: Kaz Graphic Dezign Excellence in Business Sole Trader/Partnership Jennifer Myers Time Out NZME. Excellence in Business New and Emerging Leamington Dental Mathzwise Whitehall Movers Cambridge Edition Excellence in Business - Small Business Matariki Motor Lodge The Herbal Dispensary Te Awamutu Courier Excellence in Business - Medium Business Cogswell Surveys Ltd Gourmet Delicious Rouge Café The Clubhouse Sports Bar & Café
Lewis Barristers & Solicitors Excellence in Business - Large Business Giltrap Agrizone Mahoe Med Rob May Building Limited EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE The Trust Power Customer Service Awards are hotly contested every year and this year is no exception. Te Awamutu Customer Service Award Mahoe Med Matariki Motor Lodge Te Awamutu Flight Centre Wanna Internet Cambridge Customer Service Award Grasshopper Garden Care House of Travel - Cambridge Rocketspark Rouge Café The Lily Pad Café Raglan Customer Service Award The Shack Wanna Internet
CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARDS: Thank you to those who voted for their favourite business in The Vodafone Customer Choice Awards. Text votes poured in during the month of June, one vote per mobile number. The winner of this category wins the coveted award and a smartphone. One lucky voter who participated in the voting will win $100 Vodafone credit which will be announced at the Awards Evening 31 July 2015. Te Awamutu Customer Choice Award Alexandra Hotel The Nest Espresso and Eatery Time Out Hair Salon Cambridge Customer Choice Award Accounted 4 The Clubhouse Sports Bar & Café The Lily Pad Café Raglan Customer Choice Award Raglan Roast Soul Shoes The Herbal Dispensary WAIKATO MANAGEMENT SCHOOL EMERGING BUSINESS LEADER The Emerging Business Leader must demonstrate leadership in business and in the wider community. Emma Sinclair of Emma s Food Bag, winner in 2014, said the award has further fostered her determination to make a real difference in the community and to ensure her own future business success. Jennifer Myers Jeremy Johnson Phil MacKay
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR The Employee of the Year Awards for Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Raglan recognises a key member of a business who goes above and beyond, making a significant contribution and positive impact on the business they are employed by. The Te Awamutu and Raglan Award Finalists are chosen by People4Success from the winners of the Employee of the Month throughout the year. In Cambridge, People in Mind judge the finalists on the basis of a written nomination. Te Awamutu Employee of the Year Aimee Turner Crowe & Horwath (formerly Kelly & Bryant) Hank Meyer - Mathzwise Rhonda Frey - LJ Hooker Real Estate New Zealand The Raglan Award Finalists are chosen by People4Success Raglan Employee of the Year Ash Green - Bow St Depot Russ Adams - Ray White Real Estate Samantha Heazlewood - The Herbal Dispensary The Cambridge Award Finalists are chosen by People In Mind Cambridge Employee of the Year Greg Wallace - Rocketspark Hayley Irvine - Leamington Dental Pieta Ward - Gourmet Delicious Rachael Colgan - Cambridge i-site Te Awamutu People Manager of the Year 2015 is the first year for this Award. The People Manager of the Year Award for Te Awamutu recognises exceptional leadership in the business they are employed by, or own. The finalists are chosen by People4Success from the winners of the People Manager of the Month throughout the year Adam Hittmann Vet Focus Jennifer Roxburgh Mint Beauty Therapy Joanne Wansbone Gyde Wansbone Chartered Accountants Ltd
OTHER AWARDS The Fonterra Excellence in Sustainability Award and The Raglan Chronicle Excellence in Community Contribution Award will be selected from the Finalists in the Excellence in Business categories. These businesses must demonstrate consistent excellence in sustainability across the award criteria and proven community contribution as an integral part of business. Waipa District Council Award for Outstanding Services to Business: The nominations for this award are judged by a panel of independent judges, and the winner will be announced at the Awards Evening on Friday 31 July at Mystery Events Centre. WHO will be the Waipa Networks Supreme Overall winner? Excellence category finalists are eligible for the Supreme Award. This award recognises the most outstanding business overall and will be announced at the Awards night. All Waipa and Raglan businesses are encouraged to attend the Awards evening on Friday 31 July 2015. Bring a team of staff, colleagues or friends and make a night of it in support of your fellow businesses. Book your tickets today: Celebrate business excellence in style. A great night awaits at Mystery Creek. Tickets include; bubbles on arrival, canapés, a stunning 3 course menu featuring local produce by Montana, wines from Vilagrad and good beer from Good George plus a cash bar. Our MC Te Radar will keep us entertained and on time and the Tracy Hopewell Band will be ready for dancing following the close of the formal Awards presentation. Complimentary buses will be available to/from Cambridge, Raglan and Te Awamutu. These must be booked in advance. Book your tickets: www.waipabusinessawards.co.nz or contact ENDS: Contact: Cambridge Chamber of Commerce: Tania Witheford: ceo@cambridgechamber.co.nz Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce: Susan Trodden ceo@teawamutuchamber.org.nz