On The Up: Bay of Plenty Export Awards finalists announced
Heavy engineering and precision machine manufacturers, technology and software solution providers for the agricultural, health and legal sectors, as well as a manufacturer of kids' cycling accessories, have been named.
The awards are organised by the EMA (Employers and Manufacturers Association) on behalf of ExportNZ.
John Fraser-Mackenzie, EMA chief executive, said he looked forward to honouring the 'outstanding companies'.
'The awards celebrate the community of business, providing an opportunity for peer-to-peer networking and knowledge sharing among like-minded, export-oriented companies,' he said.
Exporting companies shortlisted will be judged over three categories, including Best Emerging Business, Excellence in Innovation, and Exporter of the Year.
Warwick Downing, chair of ExportNZ's executive committee, said the awards shone a 'well-deserved' spotlight on the incredible exporters in the Bay of Plenty.
'Equally important is the opportunity they provide to bring the exporting community together, to share stories, challenges, and insights that help drive the sector forward.'
Josh Tan, executive producer of Export NZ, said the awards were a recognition of the 'incredible mahi' of exporters who continue to deliver excellence.
'The awards not only celebrate the individual enterprises. Importantly, they encourage a collaborative culture that nurtures exporting success around the region,' Tan said.
List of finalists - ExportNZ ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards
Bluelab – manufacturer of precision instruments for measuring pH, electrical conductivity and temperature in controlled agricultural environments.
Carepatron – provider of a secure, cloud-based healthcare solution for practitioners to manage clients, appointments, payments, and records.
Kids Ride Shotgun – designer and manufacturer of mountain bike seats and accessories for young children to enjoy biking with their families.
LawVu – provider of a unified, cloud-based legal workspace, designed for in-house legal teams to efficiently manage matters, contracts, spend, documents, and reporting within a single, secure platform.
Medella Health – developer of innovative wellness devices, including the Flowpresso therapy suit, which combines compression, deep pressure and thermo therapy.
Oasis Engineering – manufacturer of high-pressure control devices for gases, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas.
Plazmax – designer and manufacturer of advanced computer numerical control (CNC) plasma cutting and robotic welding systems for precision engineering.
Rhino Manufacturing – industry-leading supplier of parts for trucks and trailers; Rhino guards blend powerful performance with striking style.
Spida Machinery – manufacturer of high-quality, precision machinery for the frame, truss, and building-component industries.
Trimax Mowing Systems – designer and manufacturer of tractor-powered roller and flail mowers for commercial use.
Sarah Webb from LawVu and Karl Stevenson from Bluelab have been announced as finalists for the Export Achievement Award.
This recognises an individual who has made a material contribution to the export success of a business.
The awards will be hosted on July 18 at Mercury Bay Park, Mount Maunganui, at a 1920s-themed gala honouring innovation and resilience.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
WorkSafe Changes A Welcome Step Towards Modern, Supportive Regulation
Press Release – EMA The changes – including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulators core purpose – represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The change in focus for WorkSafe New Zealand is long overdue and should assist employers in keeping workers safer while having fewer concerns about being punished, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The changes – including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulator's core purpose – represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The EMA has long advocated for a more balanced, collaborative model that fosters partnership and practical support for employers and workers. 'Hello, what can we do to help?' may be the new greeting from a WorkSafe inspector, says EMA Manager of Employment Relations & Safety Paul Jarvie. 'These reforms will help modernise WorkSafe into a regulator that promotes compliance through education rather than fear,' he says. 'This is a welcome and necessary change. For years, businesses – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises – have felt they were being policed rather than supported. 'We've heard consistently from our members that the culture of enforcement-first created a climate of fear and concealment, rather than clarity and cooperation. This meant businesses were reluctant to call in WorkSafe for assistance because they were worried about simply being fined without getting the help or guidance they originally sought to avoid or manage a potential risk in the workplace. 'That feedback has come through strongly from our members for many years and Minister van Velden heard the concerns during her roadshow events with small to medium businesses last year. The EMA has been calling for a shift towards an enabling, advisory-based regulator – and it's pleasing to see the government respond.' The announcement includes a redefinition of WorkSafe's role, with a greater emphasis on early engagement, targeted guidance, and clear, consistent advice. Updating and streamlining more than 50 guidance documents and re-prioritising critical risk areas are among the first steps being taken. 'Cleaning up of WorkSafe advice documents is long overdue and must continue,' Jarvie says. 'Clear expectations, consistent advice, and a shared goal of risk reduction should be the foundation of our health and safety system. New Zealand workplaces are safer when employers and regulators work in partnership.' The EMA also supports the move to involve industries more directly in developing Approved Codes of Practice, with WorkSafe providing guidance and oversight. 'Industry knows its risks best,' says Jarvie. 'Empowering businesses to help shape the standards they work to – with proper regulatory oversight – is a smart, pragmatic approach that will deliver better compliance and ultimately, better outcomes for workers.' The EMA assisted the Minister 's review roadshow and found strong support from our members for these changes. The EMA is actively involved in supporting our members to meet and surpass their health and safety obligations through our comprehensive training programme. The EMA looks forward to continuing to work with the government, WorkSafe, Unions and other key stakeholders to ensure the transition achieves its intended purpose: a modern, fit-for-purpose regulator focused on outcomes, not bureaucracy.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
WorkSafe Changes A Welcome Step Towards Modern, Supportive Regulation
The change in focus for WorkSafe New Zealand is long overdue and should assist employers in keeping workers safer while having fewer concerns about being punished, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The changes - including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulator's core purpose - represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The EMA has long advocated for a more balanced, collaborative model that fosters partnership and practical support for employers and workers. 'Hello, what can we do to help?' may be the new greeting from a WorkSafe inspector, says EMA Manager of Employment Relations & Safety Paul Jarvie. "These reforms will help modernise WorkSafe into a regulator that promotes compliance through education rather than fear," he says. "This is a welcome and necessary change. For years, businesses - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises - have felt they were being policed rather than supported. "We've heard consistently from our members that the culture of enforcement-first created a climate of fear and concealment, rather than clarity and cooperation. This meant businesses were reluctant to call in WorkSafe for assistance because they were worried about simply being fined without getting the help or guidance they originally sought to avoid or manage a potential risk in the workplace. "That feedback has come through strongly from our members for many years and Minister van Velden heard the concerns during her roadshow events with small to medium businesses last year. The EMA has been calling for a shift towards an enabling, advisory-based regulator - and it's pleasing to see the government respond." The announcement includes a redefinition of WorkSafe's role, with a greater emphasis on early engagement, targeted guidance, and clear, consistent advice. Updating and streamlining more than 50 guidance documents and re-prioritising critical risk areas are among the first steps being taken. "Cleaning up of WorkSafe advice documents is long overdue and must continue," Jarvie says. "Clear expectations, consistent advice, and a shared goal of risk reduction should be the foundation of our health and safety system. New Zealand workplaces are safer when employers and regulators work in partnership." The EMA also supports the move to involve industries more directly in developing Approved Codes of Practice, with WorkSafe providing guidance and oversight. "Industry knows its risks best," says Jarvie. "Empowering businesses to help shape the standards they work to - with proper regulatory oversight - is a smart, pragmatic approach that will deliver better compliance and ultimately, better outcomes for workers." The EMA assisted the Minister 's review roadshow and found strong support from our members for these changes. The EMA is actively involved in supporting our members to meet and surpass their health and safety obligations through our comprehensive training programme. The EMA looks forward to continuing to work with the government, WorkSafe, Unions and other key stakeholders to ensure the transition achieves its intended purpose: a modern, fit-for-purpose regulator focused on outcomes, not bureaucracy.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Resource Management Act Announcements On Right Track
Press Release – Employers And Manufacturers Association Resource Management Act (RMA) changes announced are a significant step forward in making the building and connection of networks and critical infrastructure much easier, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). Today's Resource Management Act (RMA) changes announced by Ministers Bishop, McClay and Watts, are a significant step forward in making the building and connection of networks and critical infrastructure much easier, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). 'Creating firm national direction through National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards, which consenting councils then have to follow, simplifies the process for construction, maintenance and renewal of electricity and telecommunications networks,' says EMA Head of Advocacy, Alan McDonald. 'In addition, making the consenting of new quarries and expansion of existing sources of aggregate easier is also critical to any plans to build new infrastructure. From building a simple family home to multi-billion dollar construction projects, you've got to have aggregate. 'The existing rules are far too restrictive and difficult to navigate.' The steps announced today are part of the government's RMA 2 changes, and are now going out for consultation. They will also feature in the RMA 3 legislation expected to be passed next year. While quite technical, the changes go a long way to easing consenting in those sectors, without easing environmental protections. 'Councils have to give effect to these national directives, and that will effectively end the multiple differing interpretations and standards that councils, often within the same region, apply to current RMA legislation,' says McDonald. 'Many of our members have to navigate different rules from different councils just to do the same thing.' Proposed changes to freshwater regulations were also announced, while housing policy changes are also on the way. 'I'm sure our farmers will welcome many of those changes, as will the quarrying industry which has run afoul of very strict changes to wetland definitions that effectively stopped quarrying on some existing sites,' says McDonald. 'We're aware of instances in the Auckland region where water running out of native bush areas, in theory, has to be cleaner when it leaves the farm than when it entered the property.'
