Industry category definitions

Manufacturing, Production and Processing

For those businesses working in manufacturing, production and processing. This can be agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing of food or any other manufacturing-based business with production as the core component of its offering. Businesses include things like food and drink manufacturers, product manufacturing like clothing, household or construction items, cosmetic or health care products.

Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism

This is a service-based category where the core component is to provide food, beverage, entertainment or tourism excursion/activities/products to its customers. Businesses include things like cafes, restaurants, bars, tourism activities, accommodation, event businesses and venues.

Construction and Trades

This category is for those that are in construction or trade industries these include things like builders, plumbers, electricians, civil construction, roading and many more. If you are providing expertise in a specific trade then this is the category for you.

Retail

The Retail award is for businesses selling products directly to its customers. This can be any type of product and can be sold either online or through a physical location. This category celebrates the diversity of Kāpiti and Horowhenua’s retail businesses. 

Professional and Business Services, or Technology

The Professional and Business Services, or Technology Award is mostly a business-to-business category where businesses provide professional services such as accountants, lawyers, HR, along with technology-based businesses IT, web developers and software developers.

Not for Profit, Community and Public Services

This category is aimed at the community sector. Are you a charitable trust, an incorporated society or a social enterprise doing great things in the community sector? Then this is the category for you! This also includes those providing community services such as doctors and schools.

Consumer Services

This Award focuses on the consumer services that businesses provide. This includes personal service-based businesses like hairdressers, beauty therapists, optometrists, dentists and other personal service providers that operate from a consumer-facing premise.

Innovation Award

This category acknowledges a business that shows outstanding innovation and a forward-thinking approach to their business!

Environmental Sustainability Award

This award recognises a business that is working with a focus and ongoing demonstration towards environmental sustainability across its business activities.

Sub-categories:

New/Emerging Award

This Award is for businesses less than 3 years in operation as of January 2025. The Judges will be looking for excellence across all entry sections regardless of the industry category entered.

Small Business Award

This Award is for businesses with 0-11 FTEs. The Judges will be looking for excellence across all entry sections regardless of the industry category entered.

Electra Business of the Year

The cream of the crop for 2025, this business will have demonstrated excellence in business across all areas of their business, operating at the highest of industry standards. This much coveted, supreme award recognises the business that has risen to the top!.

Hall of Fame

A recipient for the Hall of Fame will be recognised in both the Kāpiti and Horowhenua regions.