The ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards annually honours and celebrates the accomplishments of Lower North Island based companies in exporting goods and services to overseas markets.
This year’s event recognises exporting excellence from Wellington to the rest of the Central region and will be hosted for the first time Palmerston North on the 6th of June at the Palmerston North Conference + Function Centre.
The Central Region Export Awards promote the benefits of exporting for businesses, as well as showcasing the industry’s success stories and contribution to the local economy. They also provide an opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange among exporters and other business professionals.
Celebrating its eighth year, we invite exporters from Greater Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua, Manawatū and Whanganui to share their stories. The Export Awards are judged by a panel of experienced exporting specialists drawn from ExportNZ, NZTE and ASB.
Categories applicable
Best Emerging Business
The DHL Best Emerging Business award is back in this year’s ExportNZ ASB Wellington Export Awards. We want to celebrate an exceptional exporting business that is in the early stages of their international growth journey, i.e. having an annual turnover of $5 million or less.
Best Established Business
The Gallagher Insurance Best Established Business is dedicated to recognising success by net return to the New Zealand economy for more established businesses, with five years or more in export markets or, as a guide, will likely have annual revenue above $5 million.
Excellence in Sustainability
The Excellence in Sustainability is dedicated to recognising businesses that embed sustainability into the fabric of their business, achieving international growth while having a positive impact on people and the planet.
Excellence in Innovation
The CentrePort Wellington Excellence in Innovation Award is dedicated to recognising success in developing and commercialising innovation in international markets, incorporating intellectual property, strategy, processes, and monitoring.
Judges' Choice
The Business Central Judges’ Choice Award gives special recognition for outstanding achievement in exporting. The winner is chosen from an entrant that does not win one of the four Best/Excellence categories.
Exporter of the Year
The ASB Exporter of the Year Award recognises the tremendous success of a business and its contribution to the wider Wellington region. The business will have demonstrated sustained and outstanding performance and results in terms of:
- Earnings, growth and profit
- Leadership and direction
- Excellence in marketing
- Strategy and business planning
- Commitment to quality management
- Governance
Additional conditions of entry:
- Conflict of interest:
Any potential conflict of interest between the entrant and a judge assigned to the company will be established prior to the circulation of the entrant’s written submission. - Confidentiality:
All information provided to ExportNZ Awards judging panel as part of your awards entry will remain confidential to the panel and will not be made available to any third party without your permission. - Registration:
The business entered in this Export Awards category is registered with the New Zealand Companies Office. - Investigation:
The business entered in this Export Awards category is not under investigation by any New Zealand or international statutory body (e.g. ACC, NZ Police, Health and Disability Commission, IRD). - Catchment Area:
The export earnings and revenue generating operations of the business are within the catchment area for the region in which it is entered. Wellington: Wellington, Kapiti, Wairarapa and Manawatū
Buy Tickets
Individual Tickets: $180 +GST
Table (seats 10): $1,800 +GST
A word from Lane Street Studios, last year’s Exporter of the Year winner
Being recognised as Best Emerging Business and overall Exporter of the Year in 2024 was a significant achievement for myself and the team. We have all worked extremely hard to get our business established after building during covid and the myriad of challenges that impacted our industry.
As our business is considered to be a weightless export, receiving the recognition of these awards was also an acknowledgement of the substantial contribution our sector makes to the NZ economy – with so much more potential for growth.
We are very excited for future exporters to also be recognised for their work in supporting and further developing crucial trade relationships for NZ. Bring on the 2025 awards!
– Kirsty Grant, Chief Executive Officer, Lane Street Studios
Important Awards timelines you need to know
- 17 February – Category entries open
- 16 April – Category entries close
- 14 May – Finalists announced
- 6 June – Awards Gala Dinner
Our 2024 category winners
This event is made possible by
