2019 Electra Business Awards Winners and Finalists
ELECTRA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
Winner: New World Otaki
Sponsor: Electra
Judges Comments: “The Judges were impressed by the highly-focused management and leadership of New World Otaki since 2017. This has set up the business for the future, based on the development of internal talent in a way that increases business drive through worker engagement. New World Otaki’s business growth can be attributed to genuine understanding of customer needs and a commitment by employees to innovate about how those needs are met.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD 2019
Winner: Kapiti Coast Funeral Home
Sponsor: Horowhenua Mail & Kapiti Observer (Stuff)
Judges Comments: “Kapiti Coast Funeral Home was commended by the Judges as a well-organised business that places and then values, customer experience at the heart of its activities. Its values are openly on display and genuinely espoused by all involved in the business with the employer offering support and engagement with its staff on multiple levels providing clear feedback, pastoral care and a strong sense of belonging.”
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Owner Operator
Winner: Horowhenua Taste Trail
Sponsor: G.J. Gardner Homes (Kapiti)
Judges Comments: “The Judges say that Horowhenua Taste Trail is an owner operator with a clear and well-articulated vision that provides drive yet is agile enough to respond to the market. This is supported by clear strategic objectives and strong evidential links of how they tie back to the operations of the business.
Finalists: Horowhenua Taste Trail | Kapiti Glamping Adventures
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Small Business
Winner: NZ Proud Limited
Sponsor: Finman Services
Judges Comments: “The Judges applaud NZ Proud’s management structure, the contributions they make to the community and the opportunities the provide employees with apprenticeships supported by career pathways.”
Finalists: AVS Limited | Haskell Construction Limited | Joinery Installations | NZ Proud Ltd
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Medium Business
Winner: Kapiti Coast Funeral Home
Sponsor: Kapinua
Judges Comments: “The Judges noted that the ongoing success of Kapiti Coast Funeral Home is due to the innovative approach taken to focus on customer experience through its responsive service offering.”
Finalists: Focal Point Cinema and Cafe Levin | Kapiti Coast Funeral Home | Kitchen Creators | Marty’s Panel & Paint LTD | Tall Poppy Real Estate
EXCELLENCE AWARD: Large Business
Winner: New World Otaki
Sponsor: Air Chathams
Judges Comments: “The Judges found that as a large business, New World Otaki uses specialist skills, such as the Gold Medal Pork Sausage, to deliver exceptional customer experience”
Finalists: New World Otaki | Web Genius
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Emerging Business
The Emerging Business category is for any business that is relatively new to the market and can demonstrate that they are making a significant impact in their market.
Winner: Horowhenua Taste Trail
Sponsor: Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce
Judges Comments: “The Judges observed that Horowhenua Taste Trail is an emerging business with excellent governance in place that is robust yet responsive. The detailed planning that goes into each event is enhanced by the focus on continuous improvement with a focus on learning from the previous years.”
Finalists: Haskell Construction Limited | Horowhenua Taste Trail | NZ Proud Ltd
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Employer of Choice
The ability to attract, optimise and retain top talent is critical for high performing organisations in today’s world. This award is for businesses that can answer the question “why would great people want to work for you?” This Achievement Award is only available to organisations with 5 fulltime or equivalent employees, excluding the owners.
Winner: NZ Proud Limited
Sponsor: Star People HR & Recruitment
Judges Comments: “NZ Proud’s clarity of business values and management structure is recognised by the Judges as part of what makes it attractive to employees and the 2019 Employer of Choice. Judges commend the company for its recruitment process where “company fit” is the number one priority. NZ Proud’s management works to engage and support its workforce including the provision of chiropractic care and stress management options.”
Finalists: AVS Limited | CS Law | NZ Proud Ltd
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Give Where You Live
Excellent businesses recognise they have responsibilities for societal well-being and community support. The Give Where You Live Achievement award examines how you choose to get involved, what you do, and how you leverage who you are to make a difference.
Winners: Kapiti Coast Funeral Home and New World Otaki
Sponsor: Nikau Foundation
Judges Comments: “The Judges found that there were two winners of the Give Where You Live categories. Both Kapiti Coast Funeral Home and New World Otaki have demonstrated that it is possible to run a successful and viable business by being responsive to their customers.”
Finalists: Kapiti Coast Funeral Home | New World Otaki | Web Genius
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Health & Safety
Businesses entered in Health & Safety award category have in place the best health and safety systems, providing a safe and compliant working environment for staff, customers and users.
Winner: Kitchen Creators Ltd
Sponsor: GTB IT Solutions Ltd
Judges Comments: “The Judges were impressed by the investment Kitchen Creators has made in developing staff and providing an excellent work environment with good training and quality assurance systems.”
Finalists: New World Otaki | Haskell Construction Limited | Kitchen Creators
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: It’s Great To Be Here
The winner of the It’s Great to Be Here Award could be from any industry and serve any market – but they will be an all-round excellent business that celebrates the uniqueness of the Kapiti-Horowhenua region, has growth potential and a firm desire to remain in the region.
Winner: Horowhenua Taste Trail
Sponsor: Levin New World
Judges Comments: “The Judges found that Horowhenua Taste Trail has strong values that underpin every aspect of their business. The marketing and branding is polished and this business delivers on its promises of a unique regional experience and top end produce delivered in an entertaining format.”
Finalists: Horowhenua Taste Trail | Kitchen Creators | Marty’s Panel & Paint LTD
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: New Thinking
Businesses in the New Thinking category have the most innovative culture in the Kapiti-Horowhenua region. This category looks at the innovative responses that have been used to provide solutions that benefit customers or end-users.
Winner: Marty’s Panel & Paint Ltd
Sponsor: Leverage
Judges Comments: “The Judges were particularly impressed with the “competency-based” approach taken to develop key work systems and the complementary focuses on technology and new products. An example of innovative thinking is the efficiencies Marty’s Panel & Paint have gained through use of PanelQuote.”
Finalists: Auros | Club Vista | Marty’s Panel & Paint LTD | Tall Poppy Real Estate
CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD: Hospitality
Winner: Relish Cafe – Waikanae
Sponsor: Beach FM 106.3
Relish customers said “Great standard. As I am a school teacher I never gave a 10 but these are worth it.”
Finalists: Club Vista | Relish Cafe – Waikanae | Salt and Pepper Cafe Levin | The Cafe at Harrisons
CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD: Retail
Winner: Kitchen Creators
Sponsor: Beach FM 106.3
Customers say ” Excellent staff who are flexible, listen to customer needs, and deliver a quality product at a competitive price”
Finalists: DiliCakes | New World Foxton | Kitchen Creators | New World Otaki
CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD: Service
Winner: Zebunisso Alimova – Mike Pero Mortgages
Sponsor: Beach FM 106.3
Customers said “She was amazing for us! Her communication was outstanding and she fought hard for us. I would absolutely go to her in the future or recommend her to anyone trying to get a mortgage.”
Finalists: House Of Sound – Music Academy | Mills-Albert Limited | Patricia Farrow Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy | Zebunisso Alimova – Mike Pero Mortgages
CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD: Age-friendly
Winner: Relish Cafe – Waikanae
Sponsor: Beach FM 106.3
Relish customers say “We always enjoy eating here. The food is good and well presented. The service is unfailing courteous. We are always greeted with a warm welcome and as customers feel valued.”
Finalists: Club Vista | Relish Cafe – Waikanae | Salt and Pepper Cafe Levin | The Cafe at Harrisons