Hawke's Bay export finalists announced

Export New Zealand ASB Hawke's Bay Export Awards judging panel head Alasdair MacLeod. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay exporters have extra competition from a trio of Gisborne-based companies, in this year's Export New Zealand ASB Hawke's Bay Export Awards, after 11 finalist were confirmed this week.

For the first time, the awards were, this year, expanded to included entries from Gisborne and ExportNZ Hawke's Bay Executive Officer Amanda Liddle said she was delighted to see an increase in entries for the awards and high engagement from Gisborne exporters.

Finalists for the ContainerCo Emerging Exporter award comprise Rock-it Board, Starboard Bio, The Damson Collection and Woodcut Tools.

Finalists for the Tomoana Food Hub Innovation in Export Award comprised Pultron Composites (Gisborne), Rock-it Board, Starboard Bio and Woodcut Tools.

Meanwhile, the T & G Global Best Medium to Large Exporter award is an all Gisborne affair between Cedenco, First Fresh, and Pultron Composites.

The winner of each category will be announced at a gala dinner at the Napier Conference Centre on Thursday, August 2. Winners would then contest the ASB Exporter of the Year award.

The award for the T & G Global Unsung Hero will also be announced on the night.

Winners from the three categories will automatically progress to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise International Business Awards in Auckland in November.

Trade Minister David Parker will open the gala dinner in Napier, with comedian and television personality Te Radar as MC for the evening.

In a change from previous years, a pop-up Farmers' Market will showcase the region's high-quality artisan producers and offer a unique opportunity for networking ahead of the sit-down dinner created by Dish Catering.

Head of the judging panel, ExportNZ Hawke's Bay chairman Alasdair MacLeod, said they had been impressed by the quality and diversity of the entries.

"We're seeing a really great mix of smaller exporters who are well placed to scale and grow, combined with the large exporters who are making their mark on the world stage."

All category winners go into the draw to win return flights to Rarotonga, courtesy of awards sponsor Jetstar.

Other sponsors include New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Great Things Grow Here, Napier City Council, Trinity Hill, Te Mata Estate, OPure, Grundy Productions and Panoply.