Entering the Main Awards has never been easier!

The Awards are here for 2025, ready to champion the businesses that are embracing today and leading tomorrow.

Whether you’re established or emerging, this is your chance to put your business forward for the recognition it deserves!

Our simple entry form is quicker than ever to complete - answer a few questions about your business and what you’ve achieved - then send it in!

Entries are open from May 7th until the 29th of June, 2025.

For all key dates, please see - About The Business & Innovation Awards Page.

We can’t wait to get into our 31st season of celebrating innovation and those who are shaping the future of business excellence across our districts.

This year the Electra Business & Innovation Awards are FREE to enter!

Award categories

Industry categories

  • Manufacturing, Production and Processing

  • Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism

  • Construction and Trades

  • Retail

  • Professional and Business Services or Technology

  • Not for Profit, Community and Public Services

  • Consumer Services

Sub-categories

  • New/emerging (Less than 3 years in operation)

  • Small business (0-11 FTE’s)

Special Awards

  • Innovation

  • Environmental Sustainability

Electra Business of the Year

Hall of Fame

For full category definitions - click here

Why enter the Main Awards in 2025?


✨Validation for your business

✨Marketing opportunities

✨Industry expert feedback

✨Free to enter

✨Simple entry process

Profiling for your business in 2025!

Entrant profiling

Added to the BKH website

Added to an email campaign

Social post on Facebook and LinkedIn

Press release out to media

Entrants event – attendance and opportunity to speak

Finalist profiling

All entrant profiling plus..

Social post on Facebook and LinkedIn

Added to a finalist email campaign

Added to our website

NZME – pull out feature on finalists; they will be approached potentially for editorial and for paid advertising opportunities

Press release out to media

Awards Night – inclusion in the programme, Emcee mention and AV inclusion.

Winner profiling

All entrant and finalist profiling plus..

Social post on Facebook and LinkedIn

Added to a winners email campaign

Added to our website

Press release out to media

Awards Night – Same as finalists with the addition of a stage speaking opportunity, further AV inclusion and winners’ photos.

You’re invited to the 2025 Launch event!

May 7th, 5.30pm at Māoriland Hub, Ōtaki.

Click here to register now. Nibbles, drinks, and all the info you need to enter for 2025 awaits!

We have free mentor sessions available to support you with your application form and help you to represent your business to the best of your ability. 

Register to enter this year’s awards and be eligible to receive a 30-minute free coaching session to support you with your entry form. We have Entry Mentors for each region who will support entrants for the season ahead.

Kāpiti - Paul Boyack and Steve Gregans

Horowhenua - Renee Cohen

Our mentors will work one-on-one with you, answering questions and clarifying thoughts and ideas regarding your entry. First, you must have completed your entry, and then this session is aimed at refining your responses ready for submission.

If you wish to upgrade your session – adding on additional time to further develop your thoughts whilst making sure that the questions are answered please speak to your Entry Mentor about possibilities in this space.

How to secure your space...

Kāpiti-based entrants: email steve@cuaccountants.co.nz or paul@bspadvisory.co.nz.

Horowhenua-based entrants: email Renee@thcl.nz.

  • With over 15 years of experience running successful businesses, Renée specializes in providing strategic guidance and valuable connections to small and medium enterprises - helping them overcome growth challenges through tailored advice and leveraging her wide network to open doors to new opportunities that accelerate client success.

  • Steve is an experienced corporate executive and has worked across a range of industries and different-sized businesses. He has been on the board of BKH for over 8 years and previously worked for Electra—our naming sponsor—for 8 years as the Deputy Chief Executive.

    Steve is CA qualified and is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand professional body.

    Steve recently joined Chapman Upchurch Accountants as the Director and Principal.

    Steve has a real passion for business growth and excellence and really enjoys working on mergers and acquisitions

    Steve has a keen interest in cycling both on road and off road and is a strong supporter of the local cycling clubs.

  • With over 30 years of senior business experience and qualifications from Harvard and Massey University, I serve as a Certified Business Advisor and regional representative for BSP Advisory Group. I work closely with business owners across a range of industries to improve operating productivity, profitability, and long-term business value. My approach combines strategic insight with practical, hands-on support to help businesses build, grow, and succeed.

Your 2025 Entrant Support Videos!

Click here for the 2025 Terms and Conditions for the Electra Business & Innovation Awards.