A record number of businesses entered the Southland Business Excellence Awards, and the finalists have now been announced.

Southland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sheree Carey said they were thrilled to have 141 applicants received over 11 categories.

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“The companies should be commended for the time and effort spent on putting together top-class applications.”

“Judges have spent the past four weeks working through them and were truly inspired by the innovative and passionate stories from throughout the region, and the resilience shown in the past 18 months during the pandemic,” she said.

Among the finalists were some new businesses and also some that had been around for many years, including Morrifield Tunnel Houses, in Otatara.

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Co-owner Leanne Morris said this was the first year they had entered, despite being in business for more than 40 years.

“We kind of thought about it in the past but we’ve just been too busy,” she said.

It was only by chance they saw the awards advertised in the last week “and then it was a mad rush to get the application in.”

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Hearing that they had made the finals was a great surprise and also coincided with she and husband Allister’s 15th wedding anniversary.

New business ‘Crunchy’ was also a finalist in three categories, and owner Benji Biswas said he was blown away when he heard the news.

“There are some incredible companies up for these awards. It has been challenging journey for us but getting recognised certainly makes us feel humbled, proud and excited.

“Well done to everyone who applied, it’s a huge task. Congratulations to all finalists and good luck,

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I’m really looking forward to the final award night meeting some like minded people.”

Judges involved:

Main Categories plus Innovation, One to Watch and Business Personality

Frank Gibbons, Air NZ | Lani Evans MNZM, Vodafone Foundation | Amy Allison, MPI |Mark Robinson, Fonterra Farm Source | Shelley Bell, Wilson Bell Consulting

ACC Workplace Injury Prevention

Garth Butson, ACC

Blue River Dairy LP Workplace Wellbeing

Laura Faherty, Healthy Families Invercargill | Abbigail Surridge, Blue River Dairy | Rebekah Dawson, Progress People

The 2021 Southland Business Excellence Awards finalists are:

Findex (NZ) Ltd Primary & Primary Services Sector Award

Alliance Group
Prime Range Meats
WM Environmental

Invercargill City Council Construction, Trade, Manufacturing & Distribution Award

FI Innovations
Kiwi Skips
Morrifield Greenhouses
PowerNet

Powernet New and Emerging Award

Auld Farm Distillery
Crunchy
MSK Ultrasound

The Southland Times Consumer Award

Black Shag Boutique Café
Fat Bastard Pies
Prime Range Meats
The Batch
Transport World

Invercargill Licensing Trust Not for Profit Award

Jubilee Budget Advisory Services
Koha Kai
Miharo Murihiku
South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation

Progress People Professional Services Award

BDO Invercargill
Digital Stock
Malloch McClean
Mrs Tradie
The Headache Clinic
WM Environmental

Market South Innovation Award

Crunchy
Digital Stock
Fi Innovations
Kiwi Skips

Blue River Dairy LP Workplace Wellbeing Award

Alliance Group
Aquila Sustainable Farming
PowerNet

ACC Workplace Injury Prevention Award

Altitude Resurfacing
Aquila Sustainable Farming
Prime Range Meats

Southern Institute of Technology Business Personality Award

Janice Lee (Koha Kai)
Jocelyn O’Donnell (HW Richardson Group/Transport World)
Tangaroa Walker (Farm 4 Life)

Meridian Energy One to Watch Award

Benji Biswas (Crunchy)
Fiona Walker (WM Environmental)
Gareth Dykes (Fi Innovations)
Jim Dowling (Digital Stock)
Rob & Toni Auld (Auld Farm Distillery)

The Awards Gala Dinner will take place at Transport World, Invercargill on Friday 15th October 2021.

This dinner will showcase Southland’s business talent and capability as we pay tribute to local businesses who are helping build our economy and community.

Crunchy

Crunchy Owner Thriving On New Challenges

Huge Diversity Across Business Awards

Plenty of Crunch To This Business