A prospering Waimea business trio took home accolades at the annual Nelson Pine Industries Chamber of Commerce Business Awards held on 1 March at the Annesbrook Centre.
Māpua-based ecommerce and website development agency, Keetrax, which also has staff based nationwide and internationally, seized the prestigious prize, the Nelson Pine Industries Supreme Business Award, on top of the Mediaworks Medium Business Award.
Chief executive Danielle Martel says she was “stunned” that the company was named as the medium-sized business award winner, and her “jaw dropped to the ground” for reigning supreme.
“For the medium-sized business award, I was stunned because there were so many amazing businesses that were also in our category, and whilst I was rooting for my team, I thought there was such cool companies that we were up against.
“I was ecstatic and really happy that we got the recognition that we’ve worked really hard for. When they called out the supreme award, I think literally my jaw dropped to the ground and I was stunned and speechless, I was not even expecting to be in the running for that … so that’s a great achievement for us.”
Danielle says the awards were the outcome of the business development since it established in 2018.
“The fact that we were able to prove that through our financial in the sense of growing, 97 per cent I think it was, year-on-year, was incredible, and our team supporting us along that journey was amazing,” she says.
Richmond-based, Milestone Homes Nelson Bays claimed the NZME Large Business Award and also Richmond-based OneFortyOne were the joint winner of the Community Impact Award alongside Stoke-based The Food Factory Charitable Trust.
Prospering Nelson business Apex Accounting took home the Top South Media Start Up Business Award.
The firm was established by Lydia Chadfield and Jess Patterson in February 2022 to give back peace to small business owners and investors by taking care of their accounts.
Lydia says she was “stoked” but also “quite overwhelmed” by the firm’s win.
“We didn’t really expect to win, we’re just sort of coming to terms with it … it has been a quick two years, and about 95 per cent of our client base has come from word of mouth, we thank our [200] clients,” she says.
“I think we’re very focused on systems and organisations, and making sure things are done properly, we have goals in place, we’ve had business coaching, we really stick to the plan … and we have a lot of attention to detail with everything.
“We’re enjoying the flexibility and balance that it provides working for ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Nelson-based Under the Hood BBQ were on fire with the Mahitahi Colab Innovative Business Award and private tuition service, Boost Your Learning, achieved a highly commended in the 2 Degrees Small Business Award category.
Golden Bay dairy farm, JBHILLS Ltd, claimed the Environmental Business Award for bringing new energy to its operation with a 1.43-megawatt solar panel system, which has provided power to more than 300 standard homes since March, 2023.
JBHILLS co-director, Hamish Hills says he was “surprised but incredibly happy” the project, which covers 2.5 hectares, recognised his parent’s farm’s deep-rooted diversity.
“We took on a big risk building a solar farm, so it does feel like a good award to be recognised,” he says.
“Mum and dad [John and Betsy] have always been big fans of diversification within their business … [a solar farm] was an idea that came up at the table at the parents’ house, and when we were planning it there wasn’t many others in the country.
“We’re very glad we did it ... I think everyone in the country’s trying to [be environmentally friendly] now, it’s not necessarily just me as a farmer, we want to be doing the best that we can.”
Over the hill in Motueka, Pete’s Natural Sodas were refreshed with a 2Degrees Small Business Award win and Tākaka-based, Dancing Sands Distillery cheers to its highly commended prize in the Mediaworks Medium Business Award category.
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Ali Boswijk, says award nights were important milestones to recognise organisations achievements, and particularly when “external pressures” make business more challenging.
“Once again, the businesses of the Nelson Tasman region have demonstrated just how wonderful, resilient and varied they are,” she says.
“This year’s awards clearly showed that while we’ve had some difficult times over the last few years, many businesses are really buoyant, strong, and looking forward to a very prosperous future.”
The awards are now in their 34th year and were entered by 24 organisations who submitted 27 entries in total.
