The Wānaka Business Chamber has announced the finalists for the 2024 Wānaka Business Excellence Awards in association with Milford Asset Management.

The Chamber said the selection process has been rigorous and the finalists chosen for their outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

"The judging panel had the difficult task of evaluating an incredibly diverse and innovative group of businesses,” Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said. 

“What stood out this year was the level of adaptability and forward-thinking that so many businesses demonstrated, particularly as they navigated recent economic challenges.”

A revamped application and judging process, designed to make it more accessible for businesses to enter, resulted in a record number of entries.

“It’s a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit here in Wānaka that we’ve seen such strong engagement with the awards,” Glenn said. 

“We look forward to celebrating not only the finalists but the broader business community that continues to drive our region forward."

Glenn congratulated all the entrants and said he hoped the process allowed business leaders to step back from day-to-day operations and reflect on their progress.

The winners of the 2024 Wānaka Business Excellence Awards will be announced at the awards gala dinner at Rippon Hall on November 9.

Tickets to the awards gala dinner can be purchased here.

Finalists for the 2024 Wānaka Business Excellence Awards are:

Main Industry Categories

Excellence in Customer Experience – Supported by Drive Accounting

• Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka
• The Next Chapter
• Wastebusters

Excellence in Visitor Experience – Supported by Lake Wānaka Tourism

• Bike Glendhu
• nzbiketrails
• Wānaka Helicopter Group

Excellence in Trade & Industrial Sector - Supported by Findex

• Architectural + Design Library
• Wānaka Solar
• Wānaka Stone

Excellence in Primary & Consumer Goods – Supported by Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble

Cone

• Balance Me
• Rippon
• Sidekick Soda

Excellence in Professional Services – Supported by Aspiring Law

• Constructive Consultants
• Greenhawk Chartered Accountants
• Mike Pero Mortgages Wānaka & Queenstown
• Schistrockmedia - The Wānaka App

Specialist Categories

Strategy, Innovation & Business – Supported by Batchelar McDougall Consulting

• Architectural + Design Library
• Bike Glendhu
• Fluid Visual Communications

Best Emerging Business Award – Supported by Air New Zealand

• Green Fox
• nzbiketrails

Employer of the Year – Supported by EASI NZ

• Greenhawk Chartered Accountants
• Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka
• Wānaka Stone

Business Sustainability & Environmental Impact – Supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council

• Green Fox
• Greenhawk Chartered Accountants
• Wastebusters

Community Contribution – Supported by Queenstown Airport

• Food for Love
• Wānaka Golf Club
• Wastebusters

PHOTO: Bunker Street Film Co