Northland Business Excellence Awards

A big night and a full house at the Northland Business Excellence Awards in Whangarei last night.  Apart from the medievel costumes, carnivorous feast, ample wine and great social occasion, the highlights for me were these:

• Dive Tutukaka.  These guys seriously cleaned up.  Jereon, Kate and the team took away the “Excellence in Tourism Award”, The “Sustainable Business Award” – and were the overall winners as well.  That’s quite a trophy collection for the night.  I liked Kate Malcolm’s comments about passion for the people, the product and the place.  As a local Tutukaka resident, I totally agree that Dive Tutukaka has a fantastic “place” to work with – Tutukaka and the Poor Knights Islands are special indeed.  But it takes so much more than that – and these guys inject something really special into what they do.  Well deserved.
• Magnetism.  Mark and his crew quietly work at providing great IT solutions throughout Northland, New Zealand and beyond.  For me, it was great to see a small local business that is working hard to bring overseas earnings into the region recognised at the Business Excellence Awards.  Imagine if Northland had 100, 500 or 1,000 Mark Smiths and Magnetisms exporting innovative services?  A cluster of businesses like these in Northland would be a great start in transforming the region.  And we appreciated Mark mentioning elevateCA from the podium in his acceptance speech too.  Nice one, Mark.
• Henderson Reeves.  This can’t have been an easy year for solicitors – particularly those who do a lot of property work.  It was great to hear Henderson Reeves response to these adverse times, which was introducing an innovative new branded fixed price conveyancing service – and it was good to see them recognised for this.  And the gracious presentation of the award by their competitors and category sponsors Urlich McNabb was a great example for all. 
• Robinson Asphalts.  Good to see this innovative family business excelling in the construction category in what has been a difficult year in their industry.  There is an old adage about not wasting a good recession, and I’m guessing whoever said those words was referring to the opportunity presented by a downturn to focus on and improve one’s business rather than furiously trying to keep up with the work.  Alan, Annette and their team at Robinson Asphalts have clearly been focussing on their business and achieveing excellence.  Another great win, and a fine example to Northland business.

So all in all, a great night.  Congratulations to all the entrants and winners.

Fraser Hurrell is one of three directors of Elevate CA Limited, Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors in Whangarei, New Zealand.