2026 Entries close 20 September
Excellence. Elevate. Celebrate.
Photo byStrike Photography
A milestone for our region
The return of the business awards reignites a proud tradition of celebrating excellence, innovation, resilience, community contribution and collaboration.
The Tairāwhiti Business Awards reconnect our business community, recognise those driving our region forward, and showcase the talent, leadership and ambition that make this a vibrant place to live, work and invest.
Mark your calendar
Everything you need to plan your entry and join the celebration.
Launch week begins
Submissions close 20 September, 5pm.
Date to be advised
5:00pm · Bushmere Arms
Finalists’ function details will be announced soon.
About the awards
Your story deserves to be seen, shared and celebrated.
The awards celebrate local businesses and their contribution to a vibrant and successful Tairāwhiti business community.
From emerging leadership and innovation to sustainability, people, business excellence and community impact, the programme recognises organisations making a meaningful difference — culminating in the Supreme Business of the Year.
Business categories
Excellence will be recognised across eight categories, including two special awards.
Choose the category that best reflects your story, progress and impact.
For an exceptional new business building early momentum.
Sponsored by
Honours a promising business in its start-up stage, trading for one to four years. It recognises tangible growth and early success supported by clear vision, strong planning and effective execution.
Fresh thinking that creates measurable value.
Sponsored by
Recognises businesses transforming their industry through creative products, services, systems or processes that solve problems, seize opportunities and improve performance or customer experience.
Responsible practice with real-world results.
Sponsored by
Celebrates organisations that embed environmental and sustainability principles into strategy and daily operations, with measurable gains in areas such as waste, emissions or resource use.
Workplaces where people can do their best work.
Sponsored by
Acknowledges organisations that build a positive, engaging culture, invest in development and wellbeing, and demonstrate values-led leadership with strong outcomes for their teams.
Strong performance across the whole organisation.
Sponsored by
Recognises high-performing businesses with clear strategy, sound financial and operational performance, robust systems and a consistent focus on excellent customer outcomes.
Going beyond commercial success to make a meaningful difference within their community
Sponsored by
For businesses contributing time, expertise, resources or partnerships to support local people, initiatives and the regional economy through genuine social responsibility.
Two special awards
Recognises the business that captures the hearts of the community, determined by public vote.
Sponsored by
Selected from eligible category winners to recognise the most outstanding business overall.
Sponsored by
How to enter
Entries are free and open to businesses based within the Gisborne region.
Submit by 5:00pm, Sunday 20 September 2026.
Email the completed form to awards@gisborne.org.nz.
Please use this email address in place of the one printed in the PDF.
Can’t see the signature field? Save the PDF to your device, then open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Browser PDF viewers, including Microsoft Edge, may not display the field.Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
With thanks
Partners
Supporting Sponsors
Entries close 20 September 2026
