Outstanding Māori or
Pasifika-owned Business
This award recognises Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses that are building success through strong values, leadership, business capability and contribution. It is suited to businesses that can show commercial progress alongside cultural values, whānau or community connection, and a clear role in the Hawke’s Bay economy.
Judges will be looking for a business that can explain its story, its purpose, its results and the way its values shape decisions.
WHO SHOULD ENTER
This category may suit your business if you:
- Are Māori-owned, Pasifika-owned, or led by Māori or Pasifika business owners
- Can show clear business performance or progress
- Have values that guide how the business operates
- Contribute to whānau, community, employment, culture or regional growth
- Have adapted through challenges
- Can show where the business is heading next
EVIDENCE TO PREPARE
- Business performance or growth indicators
- Governance or leadership examples
- Customer feedback or testimonials
- Whānau, community or cultural contribution
- Employment or supplier impact
- Examples of values shaping decisions
- Future plans or growth pathway
WHAT A STRONG ENTRY SHOULD SHOW
A strong entry will balance business evidence with story. Show what the business has achieved, how it makes decisions, and how its values are lived in practice.
WHAT JUDGES WILL LOOK FOR
Business performance
Judges will consider financial awareness, growth, sustainability, stability or other performance indicators relevant to the business.
Leadership and governance
Judges will look at how the business is led, how decisions are made and how the business plans for the future.
Values in practice
Judges will consider how cultural values, identity, whānau, community or kaupapa are reflected in the way the business operates.
Customer and market strength
Judges will look at the business offer, customer relationships, market fit and reputation.
Contribution
Judges will consider contribution to people, employment, suppliers, community, culture, industry or the Hawke’s Bay economy.
Resilience and growth
Judges will look at how the business has navigated challenge and what foundations are in place for future growth.