Thirty-one finalists in seven categories have just been announced in the Ashburton District’s ANZ Business of the Year Awards. There were a total of 70 entrants across categories.

The finalists cover a wide range of businesses, from those providing hot air balloon rides to those exporting honey and special socks. The finalists for the People’s Choice Award for Retail were announced earlier this month.

Ashburton District Council is partnering with ANZ and Ri Ra Events to run the awards, which will culminate in a special gala evening at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall on 18 February 2022. In keeping with the district's Shop Smart, Shop Local campaign, where possible all suppliers used to produce this event have been sourced locally.

Council Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said the finalists were selected by a panel of judges this week and all had impressive achievements.

“The next part of the journey involves face-to-face interviews with the judging panel in January and then the judges will determine a winner and runner-up in each category.

“It’s been really exciting to get to this stage of the awards, which are being held for the first time.”

The gala evening in February is a black tie event, including a red carpet entrance. Tickets are already on sale – there are two options, including a sit down dinner or nibbles in the mezzanine floor of the memorial hall. Details are on the Business of the Year website, businessoftheyear.nz.

“There will be a full review after the awards are over, with a view to making them a regular event, maybe every two years.”

The category finalists are –

Excellence in Primary Industries (sponsored by Catalyst Performance Agronomy):

Agricultural Consulting Services

Align Farms

Bio Oils

Carrfields

Midlands Apiaries

Excellence in Export (sponsored by Croys):

Midlands Apiaries

NZ Sock Co

Tranzalpine Honey

Excellence in Tourism (sponsored by NZ Ski):

Adventure Balloons NZ

Ashburton Aviation Museum

Bella Vista Motel

Brinkley Resort

Southern Cross Lodge

Excellence in Manufacturing (sponsored by HEB Construction):

Kaipak

Mount Hutt Pods

NZ Sock Co

Transalpine Honey

Excellence in Not-For-Profit (sponsored by Naylor Love):

Ashburton Aviation Museum

Ashburton Trust Event Centre

Bike Methven

Methven Lions Club

Excellence in Technology and Innovation (sponsored by Lynda Stevenson Chartered Accountants Ltd):

Agricultural Consulting Services

Carrfields Irrigation

Kaipak

Mt Hutt Aviation

NZ Sock Co

Bevan Rickerby Future Business Leader Award (sponsored by Sheep Milk New Zealand):

Anna Johnson

George Wilson

James Hannon

Justin Skilling

Kirsty Naish

Previously announced finalists in the People's Choice for Retail Award (sponsored by MediaWorks):

Big Al's

The Stork Network

Stoked Cycles

Hyundai Mid Canterbury

Garage Gym

For full details of the finalists, go to our Business of the Year website, businessoftheyear.nz.