Bay of Plenty Business News October/November 2016

TAURANGA BUSINESS AWARDS
BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS October/November 2016 7
EmployNZ “winner among stars”
Tauranga’s Westpac Business of the
Year EmployNZ was described by head
judge Raimarie Pointon as “a winner
amongst stars” because of the high
calibre of finalists at this year’s awards.
The private training provider
which employs
40 people took the top
award at a glitzy, packed out
awards ceremony at ASB
Baypark in October.
“There were some very
strong contenders for Westpac
Tauranga Business of the Year,
resulting in five finalists - all
of which needed to reach a 90
percent benchmark in excellence
across their business.
So this is indeed an excellent
The Retail Excellence – Small – Award,
sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors,
was won by Furnish.
sign for businesses in the Bay,”
said Raimarie.
“What stood out for the
judges about EmployNZ
was the overall excellence it
showed in how it operated and
managed its business and its
outcomes.”
With the highest judging
score, EmployNZ was a standout
in all judging categories.
Its unique approach to business
management and development
included an ‘open door policy
Bay of Connections – Social Enterprise Award went to EmployNZ Ltd.
And they had every right to be happy as later in the evening they took
out the prestigious Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year Award.
for good ideas’ such as holding
a Dragon’s Den where all
staff participated in providing
ideas for the strategic plan,
said Raimarie.
EmployNZ director and
general manager Jay Banner
said the company succeeded
because it gave its clients the
tools to reach their potential.
It also operated a very open
door policy in which its 40
staff were encouraged to make
suggestions.
“A lot of the things we have
implemented have come about
from staff identifying opportunities,”
he said.
EmployNZ partners
with the Ministry of Social
Development, The Tertiary
Education Commission and
NZQA to provide clients with
training and development programmes.
The business which has
offices in Tauranga, Rotorua
and Taupo, was set up in 2000
and bought by Diane Meikle
and Jay three years ago.
EmployNZ also won the
Social Enterprise category and
was a finalist in Innovation and
Customer Service categories.
Jay said the judges told
them EmployNZ received the
highest marks they had ever
handed out.
“We’re pretty rapt with
that.”
It is the first time EmployNZ
has entered the awards and
Jay said the entry was very
much driven by staff. A post
on EmployNZ in response to
the victory read: “Awards like
this are not won by individuals
alone, but by the performance
of each and every team member.
EmployNZ is so proud of
you all.”
Raimarie said EmployNZ
has strong leadership, empowerment
and succession planning
evident across the leadership
team, meticulous knowledge
and understanding of their
business.
She said EmployNZ has
focused planning within
the areas of their control and
detailed diversification options
outside of these areas identified.
The quality of the awards’
entries was also acknowledged
by Westpac regional manager
commercial, Central North
Island, Lynn Walker.
“As proud supporters of
local, regional and national
businesses, Westpac is
delighted to help with a programme
that inspires organisations
to strive for and
celebrate success,” she said.
“Congratulations to the 2016
Westpac Tauranga Business
Awards winners – we’re sure
this is a stepping stone to even
greater business success.”
This year’s winner of
the Excellence in Business
Leadership sponsored by
Powerco was Tom Roper. Tom
was described as a very worthy
winner who tends to fly
Continued page 8
The Retail Excellence – Large – Award,
sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors,
went to YOU Travel.
The Manufacturing &/0r Logistics, sponsored by Cooney
Lees Morgan went to Modern Office & Office Furniture
Warehouse. They also took out the Business Innovation
Award sponsored by Balance Agri-Nutrients.
Congratulations to EmployNZ Supreme Winner
of the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards &
Canopy Tours Supreme Winner of the Westpac
Rotorua Business Excellence Awards.
JN14967
Westpac New Zealand Limited.