Hauraki District Council and Thames-Coromandel District Council, proud organisers of the Richardsons Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards have announced the award finalists for 2024, and extend their thanks and congratulations to all entrants. 

Judges reviewed a large number of high-quality entries - 45 business entries; 117 category entries – to announce 26 individual business finalists across the 10 award categories.

“We always knew it was going to be a great way to showcase our business community so I’m thrilled to such a calibre of businesses in the finals," said Hauraki mayor, Toby Adams.

"Congratulations to all the finalists – a brilliant representation of the unique innovative, resilient, and high-performing businesses across the Hauraki Coromandel region."

Congratulations to the following finalists: 

Sector Excellence 

New and Emerging Business (since April 2021): Pahi Coastal Walk; Te Kouma Heights Glamping; Opito Bay Salt; Fitzone Waihī 

Consumer Services: Flowers on Pollen; Mercury Bay Discoveries; Top10 Coromandel Shelly Beach 

Professional Services: Bayleys Coromandel; Woof Woof Ranch; Beside the Seaside 

Trades and Manufacturing: Major Oak Safety Training; Coromandel Distilling Co; EPL Construction 

Māori Business: Evolution Fitness; Manavation Page 2 Announcing the Richardsons Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards finalists 2024- 09-12-16-05 

Category Excellence 

Community Contribution: Major Oak Safety Training; Dive Zone Whitianga; EPL Construction; Wāhi Tukurua; Evolution Fitness 

Business Resilience: Centre Line Construction; Hello World Thames; Professional Trade Services 

Waste Minimisation: Wāhi Tukurua; Buffalo Lodge; Gastronomic 

Contribution to Tourism: Coromandel Distilling Co; Valley Tours and Transfers; The Waterworks; Thames Museum 

Digital Strategy and e-Commerce: Flowers on Pollen; Mom Store; The Waterworks 

The judges were impressed with the volume and quality of entries. 

“It was a real pleasure reviewing entries. There some very innovative, brave and creative businesses across the Hauraki Coromandel. Congratulations to all those that entered. I’m really looking forward to visiting finalists, deliberating further with fellow judges, and celebrating all finalists at the gala evening”, said Sue Loder, Soda Inc Growth Advisor 

Judges also wish to highly commend the following businesses who have not made the finalist list but are deserving of special mentions: 

 Kate Sedon – Consumer Services and Business Resilience 

 Matariki Tours – Digital Strategy, Contribution to Tourism and Waste Minimisation 

 Mercury Bay Discoveries – New and Emerging 

 Professional Trade Services – Trades and Manufacturing 

 Gastronomics – Community Contribution 

 Two Tides Bakery – Business Resilience 

 Centre Line Construction - Waste Minimisation 

 Kaimai Distillery – Contribution to Tourism 

In addition to the main award categories, two awards were open for nominations from the public: Service to Business, which celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in a voluntary or professional capacity to support our local business communities, and People’s Choice, which recognises businesses that provide standout service. 

Due to the quality of the nominees in the Service to Business award, the judges are pleased to recognise all four nominees as Service to Business Award Recipients: 

 Sue Lewis-O’Halloran, Thames Business Association 

 Jennifer Ashman, Coromandel-Colville Business Association 

 Monika Lange, Thames/Coromandel Newsfeed 

 Barb Berry, Positive Paeroa 

An overwhelming number of nominations were received for People’s Choice so there will be two People's Choice Awards this year - one for each District. The finalists for People’s Choice who will be invited to join the gala evening are:

Hauraki District: Plan Bee, Waihi Coffee Roasters, Woof Woof Ranch

Thames Coromandel District: Bite Café Thames, Dive Zone Whitianga, The Green Grocer

Award winners and recipients will be announced at the awards gala evening on Wednesday October 23, at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre.

The night is set to be a fantastic evening celebrating Hauraki Coromandel businesses. It will feature pre-dinner drinks and canapes, a two-course dinner, and guest speaker, Joe Davis. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.

The awards organisers, Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel District Councils, along with business representatives, would like to thank fellow key sponsors of the event: Richardsons Real Estate and MoreFM; Gold sponsors: Harkness Henry, The Seagull Centre, and Craigs Investment Partners Waikato; and Bronze sponsors: Rolleston Motel, Gastronomics Restaurant and Bar, and Reta.