Local businesses, big and small, are being invited to a launch party for the Ashburton District’s Business of the Year Awards.

The free event will be at Smoke, on Tuesday 5 August from 6pm, and there’ll be plenty to encourage potential entrants, including some words of inspiration from 2024 supreme winner Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa.

The 2026 awards have 14 categories and entries will open on the night of the launch party. Businesses will have until 31 October to get their entry forms in, with winners announced at a gala dinner on 20 February.

Mayor Neil Brown said the categories ranged from primary industries and environmental sustainability to retail, tourism and customer experience.

“There’ll also be awards for business leaders and emerging businesses. We know businesses of all kinds make this district tick so I encourage them all to come along to the launch and find out more about the awards.

“We can get so busy working in our businesses that we forget to recognise our achievements along the way.”

Council is partnering with event organiser Ri Ra once again to run the awards, and ANZ is back as the event naming partner.

The business awards are held every two years and a gala dinner to announce category winners and a supreme winner will hosted be at the Ashburton Aviation Museum on 20 February, 2026.

The aviation museum was a winner in the 2022 awards, taking top spot in the tourism category, and the gala dinner will be held in their super hangar. The supreme winner that year was NZ Sock Co, which has turned sock-making into a science.

Mayor Brown said the awards were a great opportunity for Council to recognise and offer encouragement to the district’s businesses.

"We have some super operators and it’s great to celebrate their success.”

If you would like to attend the launch party please visit businessoftheyear.nz to grab your free tickets.