The judging panel for the 2026 ANZ Business of the Year Awards had high praise for the standard of entries received this year.

Awards judge Chantelle Quinn said the quality of the entries was exceptional and showcased the diverse, creative and resilient businesses in our community.

“Hearing from all the entrants about their work and their passion to succeed is inspirational, and their commitment to our wider Mid Canterbury community really shines through.

“Through their entries we have learned a lot about the work, what drives our businesspeople and how they’ve turned their passions into sustainable operations.

“It was exciting to see how previous entrants had grown from previous years, and we were impressed to learn what first time entrants are bringing to the community.”

She said the high calibre of the entries made judging difficult, and that the collective efforts of all the businesses together are making an impact in Mid Canterbury.

The panel congratulated all entrants and encouraged businesses to continue engaging with the awards.