Business winners cream of the crop

It was a night of smiles and successes.

The 2023 Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Awards took place at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre on Friday.

Against a backdrop of history, some of the region’s best businesses gathered to celebrate in style.

With 14 different categories, it was the time to shine for many of Marlborough’s most recognised businesses.

Big winners on the evening was Manu Ora – taking home the Supreme Business Award as well as the New and Emerging Business and Community Impact awards.

Their commitment to providing kaupapa Māori primary health care and community support over the last two years impressed judges.

Manu Ora director and GP Dr Sara Simmons say even making the finals was a thrill.

“We were honestly just thrilled to be finalists with our new model of a general practise and when we won the New and Emerging Business award we were so humbled and thrilled that our mahi was getting recognised – but our night just ended up getting better and better.

“We are all about community impact so getting recognised for that category was so awesome as well.

“We aren’t traditional businesspeople and we really enjoyed hearing all about the other awesome organisations, but hearing people speak about our mahi so positively was overwhelming.

“It’s great that Marlborough recognises the importance of our day to day work.”

Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau also had an excellent night, with General Manager Corey Hebberd taking home Business Person of the Year and Property and Projects Manager Will Macdonald winning Young Business Person of the Year.

“In a world where strategies, KPIs, targets, SWOTs and SMART Goals often take centre stage, let us not forget the profound impact that individuals can have”, said Corey.

“Winning this award is not just a testament to my own efforts, but a celebration of the remarkable team and individuals that I have the privilege of leading and working with every single day. They are the backbone of my success, and I share this accolade with each and every one of them”.

“Will joined us straight out of university, and his award is an deserved acknowledgement of his growth and development too”

Blenheim’s Caci Clinic followed up their recent internal Franchise Award with the Customer Service Award winner.

New Zealand Ethical Employers was awarded the Primary Sector Award for their work in fighting exploitation of primary industry employees.

Groundbreaking improvements in everyday life created in Marlborough have also been acknowledged, with Sustainability Award winner AWWA making period-positive absorbent, reusable underwear and Innovation.

Award winner Carbon Scape producing carbon footprint negative biographite which has the potential to revolutionise the forestry, biomaterial and battery sectors worldwide.

See all winners on the evening.

Manufacturing and Construction – Aquanort Pools

Consumer Service – Caci Clinic

Primary Sector – NZ Ethical Employers

New and Emerging Business – Manu Ora

Professional Service Sector – BDO

Sustainability Award – AWWA

Community Impact Award – Manu Ora

Innovation Award – Carbon Scape

Youth Employer Award – Marlborough Youth Trust

Workplace Wellbeing Award – Winner BDO

Supreme Business Award – Manu Ora

Young Business Person of the Year – Will Macdonald

Business Person of the Year – Corey Hebberd

Community Champion – Lee Tepuia

Community Champion – Mike Newman