Awards to celebrate innovation and success

The best of New Zealand technology, products and services -- ranging from email security systems to beef gut racquet strings -- are in the running for the American Chamber of Commerce - United Airlines annual business awards.

The contest has been narrowed down to nine finalists for Exporter of the Year to the United States, in the categories of goods, services and technology, and new and evolving export businesses.

There are three finalists for Importer of the Year from the United States.

Among the finalists
for the Supreme Award, sponsored by the Business Herald, are Airways New Zealand for their air control systems, Navman NZ Ltd for high technology marine and land navigation systems, Lean Meats Ltd for its specialist lamb food products; Rotorua-based Hayes International for rollforming machinery, and SellAgence which brought New Zealanders the power assisted toothbrush as the latest lifestyle personal hygiene convenience.

Awards are also given to acknowledge and celebrate the US investor of the year, and contribution to tourism.

"The awards celebrate business entrepreneurship, innovation and success in building business and trade between New Zealand and the USA," says Michael Stanley, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand.

"American investors are interested in New Zealand as a hotbed for new ideas in a range of sectors from new technology, healthcare systems, biotechnology, agricultural products and telecommunications."

AmCham members include leading corporates and new businesses from both sides of the Pacific.

"These awards recognise the potential of building bilateral business ties in diverse areas and celebrate New Zealand and American importers' and exporters' innovation and success in cracking the market," Mr Stanley said.

The awards are sponsored by AmCham in conjunction with United Airlines and the Business Herald.

Other sponsors include past winners Peace Software and ZESPRI International as well as AIG, Baldwin Shelston Waters, Citibank, Ernst and Young, Fesco, Sheraton Auckland and Trade New Zealand.

Award winners receive two business class return NZ-US airfares from United Airlines along with other prizes.

Mountaineer and adventurer, Peter Hillary will be the guest speaker at the awards dinner to be held at the Sheraton Auckland Hotel and Towers on August 21.