Ashburton District Council has again welcomed ANZ bank as the naming partner for the 2026 Business of the Year Awards.

ANZ Senior Manager Jeremy Macavoy said ANZ was proud to be the naming partner of the awards for the third time.

"Every awards season we discover new inspirational stories of home-grown people doing amazing things in the business world.

“It’s great to take a moment to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate local success.”

Mayor Neil Brown said the awards are open to any Mid Canterbury-based business and offer an opportunity to showcase their success to a new audience.

“Whether you’re a sole operator, or trading at scale and whether you’re a new or established business – these awards are for you.”

“Many people who’ve taken part in these awards have said it’s been a great networking event.”

The Ashburton District Council is teaming up again with Rí Rá Events to run the awards.

“They know how to make the event a great experience and an overall fun night for everyone.”

Category winners and a supreme winner will be announced at the gala dinner on 20 February 2026 at the aviation museum’s huge superhangar which also hosted the 2024 awards.

The event category partners for 2026 include Abbot Insurance Brokers, ANZCO Foods, Catalyst Performance Agronomy, Crest Clean, Croys Accounting, Experience Mid Canterbury, Mt Hutt, Naylor Love, Spark Business Hub Canterbury, Talley’s, Tavendale and Partners.

The awards are held every two years and entries for the 2026 event will open in the coming months.

For more information visit the ANZ Business of the Year awards website businessoftheyear.nz