A maritime consultant who advises filmmaker Steven Spielberg is one of five finalists announced today in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The final stage of the competition sees the finalists competing for a trip to Palm Springs to attend an international forum of entrepreneurs.
Finalist Bill Day, of Wellington company Seaworks, who specialises in underwater robots and salvaging sunken cruise liners, marine-manages Spielberg's movies.
Bill Buckley, well-known for his ion beam hardware and electro-magnets used in the manufacture of silicon chips, is another finalist.
Robert Stewart, of Christchurch fridge and heater maker Skope, is in the running for his joint venture with Coca-Cola to produce a series of high-performance coolers.
The other finalists are Michael Gray, of Christchurch-based billboard advertising company Phantom Outdoor Advertising, and Aucklander Chris Johns, founder of software company Telemedia.
Competition spokeswoman Carol Campbell said judges were thrilled with the calibre of all 59 entrants this year.
Of the finalists, she said: "Their passion and innovation has taken them to the top of their respective professions and they are all making a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy."
The grand final is on September 6.
Underwater innovator in the swim for prize
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