Best in business make finals cut

Some of Manukau's best-known business people rubbed shoulders with familiar eastern faces at Villa Maria Estate Winery this week.

The outstanding companies and the characters behind them were announced as finalists in the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards – the biggest in the country.

Last year's big winners Boardertown were again in the mix. The wake, skate and snow retailer reached the last hurdle in the excellence in emerging business category while one of their directors Tim Guy is among the three names in the running for young business person of the year.

The International Travel College of New Zealand, based at Botany Town Centre, has excelled again.

It's a finalist in the excellence in tourism and hospitality, excellence in service delivery as well as excellence in innovation and strategy categories.

Household brand names Bluebird, Nestle and PlaceMakers have also made the finals.

Westpac business banking general manager Ian Blair says the company is proud to be associated with the awards and thanks all the businesses who entered this year.

"Westpac New Zealand congratulates all the finalists and we recognise that the process of applying and being judged takes some time," he says.

"I congratulate you for seeing the value in standing up and being counted alongside your peers."

Mayor Len Brown is delighted with the quality entries coming from the business community.

"I congratulate all the finalists – making it this far is a huge achievement. I'm looking forward to the announcement of the winners in a few weeks' time, but the quality of finalists shows that everyone who entered is already a winning business."

Winners will be announced at the grand finale at the Pacific Events Centre on September 17.

Tickets are available by contacting Enterprising Manukau on 262-2244 or visiting the website www.bizawards.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News