PREVIOUS NZIBA WINNERS

Auror is a crime intelligence software platform, helping retailers and police to prevent retail crime globally. The digital reporting process creates an efficient and accurate process, while aiding collaboration between retailers and police, and creating a safer shopping environment for customers.

Judges praised Auror for their business planning and discipline, a strong growth track record, and building a competitive advantage around a strong and loyal network of customers, with one commenting that “it feels like Auror is on the cusp of something huge”.

SRW Laboratories is a nutraceutical company pioneered by New Zealand biotechnologist Greg Macpherson. SRW crafts premium supplements that address the cause of cellular-level aging using research-backed, natural ingredients. SRW is supported by a science advisory board whose members come from scientific backgrounds in cellular health, biochemistry, biotechnology and more.

SRW Laboratories has seen such accelerated growth that judges thought it almost felt out of place in an emerging business category. The judges were equally impressed by SRW Laboratories' excellent execution of their market launch into China, impressive utilisation of partnerships, and incredible job of commercialising research in a challenging market.

Auror is a crime intelligence software platform, helping retailers and police to prevent retail crime globally. The digital reporting process creates an efficient and accurate process, while aiding collaboration between retailers and police, and creating a safer shopping environment for customers.

Auror wowed the judges with their excellent level of business planning and discipline, growth in the business and strong network of support. The judges praised Auror's alignment from goals to execution and said they were left with a strong feeling that Auror is on the edge of big things.

Established in 1991, Taylor Preston is an export meat processing plant, handling over 1 million small stock (sheep, lambs, and goats) and 62,000 cattle, roughly 5% of New Zealand's stock. Those exports reach 50 countries, including China, America, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the Middle East. With 740 staff at peak seasons, Taylor Preston is the largest private employer in Wellington and has achieved 40% growth in export revenue in the past decade.

The judges praised Taylor Preston for their excellent growth journey over the last 10 years - experiencing more than 40% growth. They said they are a strong industry leader and demonstrated a strong care for their people.

Auckland-based Legend Story Studios is a game design, development, and publishing studio on a mission to transform the global Trading Card Game (TCG) industry, bringing together game stores and collectors into trading communities transcending age, race, gender and language.

Legend Story Studios has an amazing story, with the company creating a brand and product that is completely unexpected. The judges loved how they effectively used market hype and influencers to promote and grow their brand, leveraging their engaged community to achieve outstanding market penetration.

Health and fitness app The Conqueror encourages users to get and stay active via challenges that guide them virtually through varied virtual landscapes, from Mount Everest to Angkor Wat. The app has been used by nearly 1 million people worldwide, and brought together a social media community of 300,000 members.

The judges were blown away by The Conqueror's business model and growth in one year from $2 million to $77 million. The judges said The Conqueror showed a very clear understanding of their customer which they used to their marketing advantage and they enjoyed that this business is very uniquely Kiwi.

Alimetry is a digital health company delivering gastrointestinal care solutions. Its flagship product, Gastric Alimetry, is a wearable medical device that diagnoses gastric disorders using advanced electronics to monitor stomach movements through the skin – replacing more invasive methods. It generates a diagnostic report to guide personalised treatment, cuts diagnosis time by 90%, reduces unnecessary tests by 60%, and decreases care costs by over 50%.

The judges found it incredibly inspiring to hear from this New Zealand business making such an impact on the global stage. They were impressed by Alimetry's journey from university project into a polished product in a highly regulated market, their excellent integration between hardware, software, clinician, patient and therapy, and Alimetry's demonstration of how their product can play a much broader role in society.

Established in 1992, Lawson's Dry Hills produces 140,000 cases of wine from its vineyards and select growers in Marlborough. 85-90% of its wine is exported to 20 overseas markets and Lawson's is the only New Zealand producer with independent ISO14001 and ISO14064 certifications for environmental management and carbon neutrality.

Judges said: "Lawson's Dry Hills Wine are leaders of sustainability in their industry and it makes them stand out from the pack. Sustainability is clearly embedded throughout the business. Lawson's Dry Hills Wine demonstrated clear maturity and understanding of the different drivers of verification and certification. Lawson's Dry Hills Wine knew what they were doing and they did it for the industry."

Phoenix Metalman Recycling is New Zealand's largest privately held metal recycler. It recovers, processes, packages and exports metals which are infinitely recyclable, diverting them from landfill to help build a sustainable, net-zero circular economy. Phoenix is Toitū Envirocare Net Carbon Zero certified and between FY21-FY23 went from shipping 27 to 1,942 containers, an impressive 7,093% growth.

Phoenix Metalman Recycling was recognised for their excellent use of investment to bring in new investors and knowledge. The judges noted that Phoenix Metalman Recycling has built a strong platform with its newly acquired expertise helping to level-up the thinking of their organisation.

AWWA creates period underwear, reducing the environmental impact of single use period products. AWWA promotes inclusivity for all who menstruate or experience minor bladder weakness, reconnecting with traditional wisdom and practices. Co-founders Michele Wilson (Tainui, Ngāti Paoa) and Kylie Matthews celebrate the menstruation connection to whakapapa and whenua, champion sustainability, and actively combat period poverty.

AWWA impressed judges with their deep understanding of their customers and genuine relationship-building through social media. They demonstrated an approach to international business that unifies sustainability, financial, social and cultural benefits, towards a purpose that can improve lives worldwide through sharing and embodying the values of te ao Māori.

Carmen Doran is the CEO of Helius Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on medicinal cannabis research. Carmen is passionate about empowering leadership and driving an environment of continuous improvement. She has a background in biomedical engineering, a career in pharmaceutical operations, and a Lean-Six-Sigma Black Belt, which all contribute to her hunger for excellence and having an impact on the world around us.

The judges commended Carmen on her phenomenal generosity of collaboration, saying she brings everything she has to the table, shares it, then multiplies it. She shines with her process-driven style and ability to unite her team to reach joint goals. She goes against the grain even when going up against adversity in a difficult industry. Judges praised Carmen as the future of female leaders.

Rockit Global is an apple company with attitude at the edge of the world that began when the world's first miniature apple was created in Hawke's Bay. It's a unique brand with a unique product that's in high demand globally, with RockitTM apples now sold in more than 30 countries and grown in 10. Rockit Global employs unique growing methods and technologies that are breaking new ground for their business and their industry and their apples are packed with flavour, energy and nutrients.

Rickit Global stood out to our judges as a worthy Supreme Winner, with success driven by an inspiring team with great global expertise, a good awareness of the risks they face and a deliberate strategic focus on managing issues such as maintaining consistency across different product sources.

Nui Market's digital trading platforms are revolutionising the way manufacturing businesses trade agricultural products.

Combining the speed and convenience of a digital-trading platform with the expertise of a category-specific marketplace, Nui's platforms let buyers and sellers trade with greater price transparency and market efficiency. The cloud-based software also helps customers reduce their carbon footprint.

Nui's platforms are used by 300+ companies in more than 60 countries, across several different agricultural product sectors. They have a particularly strong presence in the European and US dairy markets. Nui is proud to be enhancing New Zealand's reputation as a nation of tech innovators. The company retains all IP and technical development in New Zealand, and has already created 17 high-value tech jobs.

One of the things the judges loved about Nui Markets was their ambition to be the leading platform and how, right from the beginning they were looking to go global. They said Nui Markets knew where the market opportunities were, and they were able to convert the behaviours of players in what is a traditional market, to something new​. As one judge observed, "they were smart to monetize data and to be able to demonstrate liquidity in other markets for their customers​."

VeVe is an app and web platform that facilitates global trade in digital collectibles. Inspired by the founders' long-time passion for collecting, the idea for VeVe was formed long before NFT was a buzzword. Designed to replicate and enhance the collecting experience, VeVe offers a retail store, secondary marketplace and features that allow the community to interact with their collectibles and each other.

Since launching in 2021, it has attracted a global community, selling more than 6 million digital collectibles in the VeVe online store (VeVe to user), and generating sales of US$1.2 billion in the VeVe secondary marketplace (user to user).

VeVe uses blockchain technology in the background but is designed to be easily accessible by the mass market. Many of the world's leading brands, artists and creatives trust their most valuable IP to VeVe – including Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, DC Comics, Warner Bros and Dreamworks.

The judges commented that the growth VeVe has achieved in just one year is very impressive. "The product they create is unique and extremely difficult to replicate, which in turn has created a strong competitive advantage​." They also said how incredible it was to see the number of powerhouse brands VeVe has managed to secure​. The judges were also impressed by what VeVe have managed to achieve in their secondary selling market.

MitoQ was recognised in 2021 as New Zealand's fastest-growing supplement brand. The biotech company aims to change human health on a global scale, one cell at a time. Its patented molecule was the first of its kind. It's an advanced antioxidant that's able to get deep inside human cells in significant amounts.

Since it was established in the 1990s, MitoQ has engaged more than 200,000 customers worldwide. Over 650 independent research papers have been published and 14 clinical trials have been conducted on MitoQ's antioxidant molecule.

Our judges agreed that while Cellular health is not an easy market, MitoQ have overcome many challenges. They have integrated digital commerce with business strategy and turned this into a data-rich insights company​, observed one judge. Another commented that 'MitoQ has a strong tech stack with machine learning which enables them to generate meaningful insights to identify and optimise opportunities, products and messaging.' And MitoQ's future trends strategy is market focused, which is creating sales growth.

Ethique's mission is to regenerate our world, through products, packaging and practices which give back more than they take. From their headquarters in Ōtautahi (Christchurch), the brand creates award-winning solid beauty products sold in more than 6,500 retailers across 24 countries. Spanning shampoo and conditioner, cleansers, moisturisers and even cosmetics, their entire range is plastic-free, cruelty-free and vegan, palm oil-free, made with sustainably sourced and directly traded ingredients.

By displacing wasteful plastic-packaged products, Ethique have been able to prevent the manufacture and subsequent disposal of 25 million plastic bottles. Their next goal is to save 500,000,000 (half a billion) in the next eight years, by 2030.

Our judges reflected that Ethique are changing consumer behaviour to make the world more sustainable. "​Ethique is one of the few examples of businesses that have a positive impact on people and planet" was one comment. The judges were impressed with the way sustainability is embodied across the business from recruitment, to supply chain and product development.

In 2013, Frances Shoemack created a 100% natural perfume under the brand name Abel. Since then, the category of 'conscious perfume' has expanded. Frances continues to lead an international team of women based in Amsterdam, Boston and Abel's Wellington headquarters. Abel is sold direct-to-consumer in around 200 stores in more than 25 countries, with exports driving more than 80% of revenue.

The judges described Frances as "a genuine and transparent individual who leads with a faithful outlook for a real, natural and sustainable future." They also remarked on her intentional and passionate investment in her team and said there was impressive transparency in not only her product ingredients, but also her leadership style.

Parkable uses technology in a human-centred way to solve employee and tenant parking

problems all over the world. More than 100 enterprise customers, including both employers and property managers, use Parkable to improve their employee and tenant parking experience, increase car park utilisation, save time on administration, and generate revenue. Parkable's ambition is to accelerate growth internationally and further benefit New Zealand's offering in the technology and innovation space.

With a clear vision for the future and great recognition of how macro trends will influence their vision, the judges said Parkable were impressive. One judge said they commended Parkable on integrating systems rather than trying to build everything from scratch, which was a clever way to improve customer experience.

Auror works to combat the impacts of organised retail crime in our communities, a NZ$150 billion problem globally. Used by the largest retailers in the world, Auror's platform lets frontline retail staff easily report crime, and identify and link previous offences. Auror has digitised the relationship between police and community. Auror has more than 20,000 active law enforcement users on its global platform. This sees police using the technology for intelligence in homicide and drug investigations, empowering them to make faster and better decisions.

With a current team of 100+ people across New Zealand, Australia, the US and the UK, Auror has ambitions to work with every large retailer in the world.

The judges said it was great to see investors continuously challenging Auror to improve their processes. It was also terrific to see how the relationships Auror has with investors have also opened new opportunities. For example, influencing their decision to extend to the law enforcement market. In addition, the judges were impressed at how Auror has leveraged investors to build staff and hire the right expertise​.

KIWA Digital is a Māori-led technology business that is recognised as a key influencer in the global language-services industry. The company's dubbing software, VoiceQ, is powering global hits that include Prey, Money Heist and Squid Games. Its cultural services software creates unique mobile apps that enable indigenous voices to be heard authentically around the globe and to improve literacy and cultural capability.

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, with 10 staff and a team of collaborators globally, the company recognises that there is so much to be learned from mātauranga Māori. It strives to incorporate Māori values in all it does and sees being Māori – coming from a strong whakapapa of navigators and innovators – as its competitive advantage.

One of the key things that struck the judges about Kiwa Digital was the company's long-term vision and the 100-year plan for their future. The judges were also impacted by the deep, authentic connections with culture that Kiwa Digital has, both within the business and how they operate, as well as with the work they are doing.​

UBCO produces rugged utility electric vehicles and has a mission to transform the way people ride, work and play. Since its launch in 2015, UBCO has expanded from its original farming and utility market to also address a gap at the intersection of the powersports and adventure markets. With almost 4000 bikes in key markets, its vehicles are used for a range of purposes, from working the land, exploring the outback and surfing, to commuting, food delivery and filming.

Headquartered in Tauranga, the company has almost tripled its revenue year-on-year. In the last two years, it has grown its team to 100 people across the US, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Our judges agreed that UBCO are quietly understated yet at the same time have great assurance around what they are doing and achieving. The judges liked the 'born in New Zealand, built tough' aspects of UBCOs amazing story and reflected that UBCO are nailing their storytelling around their purpose, their people and their product​.

Dawn Aerospace's mission is to enable the next generation of space users by providing dramatically more scalable and sustainable ways to access and move around in space. Since 2019, the company has provided global customers with in-space propulsion products used to propel satellites. These propulsion units have launched on SpaceX, Soyuz and Vega launchers.

Dawn is now a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems for NanoSat, MicroSat, ESPA and ESPA Grande-class satellites. The company is also active in reusable launch vehicle development. It has an active test-flight programme of the MK-II Aurora spaceplan demonstrator, with 30+ flights completed from the base of Aoraki Mt Cook.

Since winning the Best Emerging Business at the 2021 New Zealand Business Awards, our judges said it's been inspiring to watch Dawn Aerospace's progress. One commented that Dawn Aerospace has disruptive technology that is competitive and hard to replicate, but still very commercial​. "They have systems in place to enable sustainability and scalability of the business and they're ​ deliberately focussing on being a commercially sustainable business with ambitious goals." And as the judges all agreed, Dawn Aerospace has a great story.

Rockit began as a tiny seed of an idea 20 years ago, when the world's first miniature apple was created in Hawke's Bay. RockitTM apples are now sold in more than 30 countries and grown in 10, which means they are fresh all year round. As a nutritious snack-sized product, they are enjoyed by consumers from kids to athletes. The packaging is also unique. RockitTM apples are washed and packed straight into resealable tubes that are 100% recyclable.

'An inspiring team with great global expertise that has successfully built their brand around a product that does not typically have a brand,' was one judge's observation. Another said, 'Rockit Global have a good awareness of the risks they face and a deliberate strategic focus on managing issues such as maintaining consistency across different product sources. They have executed this so well ​that they can partner with big global brands and beat other apple products significantly, which is great evidence of success.'

Bluelab delivers award-winning, high-precision technology for controlled environment agriculture. Manufactured in the beautiful Bay of Plenty and shared with the world by a passionate global team driven by a shared purpose: The Art of Growing for a Healthier World.

Bluelab stood out to our judges as a worthy Supreme Winner, with success driven by a high level of customer understanding and being there every step of the customer's journey.

The team at Bluelab have embraced the potential of digital channels in a way that has enhanced customer experience and their business resilience through the last two years – all while delivering innovative high-tech products that set the standard for their industry, and helping to deliver their vision of a healthier world through efficient, sustainable food production.

Named New Zealand's Hi-Tech Start-Up of the Year in 2020, Dawn Aerospace provides high-performance green-propellant satellite propulsion to customers globally, and is developing a same-day reusable spaceplane, with five test flights here in New Zealand last July.

Judges described Dawn Aerospace as an innovative and audacious business with strong commercial acumen essential to compete in the high-profile, highly competitive space arena. Their focus on owning their niche and working with customers that have aligned values bodes well for their continued growth and their long-term economic contribution to Aotearoa.

Highly commended: Auror, Dinosaur Polo Club

Moa Holdings is building a relentlessly simple retail, marketing and distribution platform, simplifying the complex world of selling online and helping great New Zealand brands to get their products rapidly and profitably to consumers around the world.

Judges praised Moa Holdings as a phenomenal success story, with impressive export growth over the last 18 months achieved through operational excellence, a team culture that ties their global model together, and a wider vision of helping brands from Aotearoa to find lasting success internationally.

Bluelab is recognised as the industry standard for high-precision measurement technology in controlled environment agriculture – now shared with the world through a bold and transformative digital commerce strategy.

Bluelab's team impressed the judges with their whole-business approach to digital transformation, and their achievement in executing an insightful digital strategy in months, not years, in response to the pandemic. This work has already proven its value through strong growth and confidence of further success in key international markets.

Highly commended: Yu Mei

The team at Better Packaging Co believe waste is a design flaw and are on a mission to design waste-free packaging through innovative materials, systems, education, communication and clever design.

Our judges were blown away by the sustainable impact the Better Packaging Co has created at remarkable speed and scale. Judges described their growth as "a fantastic story of taking New Zealand to the world"– with outcome-focused entrepreneurs coming together with brilliant ideas. Better Packaging are a deserving inaugural winner of the category.

Highly commended: Cogo

Dr. Berryman brings a wealth of experience in the health sector, including ten years of clinical governance experience, to her role as Founder and Director of chnnl – helping employers and employees to transform their organisations through the power of psychological safety.

Judges recognised Dr Berryman as an authentic, genuine leader and expert with a focus on empowering others to "bring their special sauce" and move the dial for chnnl's customers and the people they employ. She also models proactive resilience as a leader, achieving the right balance to sustain the growth of an international business.

Highly commended: Jessie Wong: Yu Mei, Katherine Corich: Sysdoc, Lisa Ebbing: Hotmilk Lingerie

Les Mills International is the global leader in group fitness – with programs delivered by certified instructors across 100 countries, all available as live, livestream virtual and immersive classes, as well as via the Les Mills On Demand streaming platform.

Judges praised Les Mills International for rapidly diversifying their service offerings and adopting a digital mindset. The huge success of Les Mills On Demand transformed their business outlook as they adapted to COVID-19 while maintaining existing relationships to help ensure a diverse, robust future for a New Zealand export success story.

Founded in Auckland, Fuel50 is an A.I talent marketplace that harnesses data and insights to help its worldwide customers unleash internal talent, retain staff, and build agile and capable workforces to drive future success.

Powered by a dedicated team of 90 "fuellies", including their full in-house R&D and engineering team based in New Zealand, Fuel50 is making smart use of investment to support strong international growth into Europe and the United States. With a further 30 team members being added this year, their success is delivering value for their customers, for their investors, and for New Zealand.

Highly commended: Whip Around

A whānau-owned and led business with its roots in Ngāti Maniapoto, Global Metal Solutions provides premium metal recycling services in Aotearoa and the Pacific to help ensure a safer, cleaner future for our planet.

Judges were impressed by Global Metal Solutions' authenticity as a Māori owned and operated business, with tikanga Māori integral to their operations and driving their unique advantage in an industry built on relationships. They balance commercial by putting people at the centre.

In previous years, our wider community and support system would perform a haka tautoko to acknowledge and uplift the mana of our He Kai Kei Aku Ringa for Māori Excellence in Export award winner. Although we can't manaaki them this evening, it doesn't diminish the prestige and honour of our winner. Congratulations Global Metal Solutions.

Seequent delivers industry-leading software for earth modelling, geo-data management and team collaboration – helping customers in more than 100 countries to see the full picture and make better decisions for people and the planet.

A previous Supreme Winner at the New Zealand International Business Awards 2018, Seequent impressed our judges again in 2021 with their focus on continuous improvement and reinvention, their growth potential in established and emerging target sectors, and their clear vision, values, purpose and culture as they continue to raise the bar for their competitors and themselves.

Highly commended: Golden Bay Fruit, Natural Pet Food Group

An associated business of Wakatū Incorporation, Kono is a family-owned Māori food and beverage producer with a global consumer focus. Kono farms 530 hectares of land and sea in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions, producing award-winning wine, cider, seafood, fruit, and natural fruit bars. Kono aspires to be the world's best indigenous food and beverage provider. A connection to Aotearoa's natural resources underpins its identity as a Māori organisation.

Angie Judge, Chief Executive of visitor attraction technology firm Dexibit, is recognised in New Zealand and internationally as a leader and mentor for women in technology, with a commitment to diversity, inclusion and creating professional development pathways for aspiring female leaders in tech. She was recognised as a champion for continual learning and development not just in her business, but in her industry and for herself.

Helen Robinson's role as co-founder and CEO of Organic Initiative is the latest chapter in her decades-long leadership journey as an entrepreneur and independent director here and internationally. She is a sustainability, diversity and inclusion champion, focusing Oi on a mission to give women around the world access to safe, sustainable health products.

Re-Leased has a mission to transform the global property industry, by providing game-changing property management cloud software that empowers managers, owners and other key stakeholders to connect anytime and anywhere from any device.

Judges were very impressed with Re-Leased's achievement so far, with a level of preparation for the future that goes beyond many emerging organisations, and a clear understanding of customers needs and operational requirements for ongoing success.

Highly commended: Method Recycling, Organic Initiative

Doyle Sails has established itself as a global leader in high-performance sails for racing, cruising and superyachts, with a proven track record of design excellence and customer satisfaction over almost 40 years.

Judges described Doyle Sails as a compelling business with great results and even greater potential, with a sales approach driven by precise customer knowledge, and a relentless ambition and drive to win that resonates across the organisation.

Highly commended: Natural Pet Food Group, Tuapeka Gold Print Limited

Employing 700 staff and working with innovative partners across the pharmaceutical industry, Douglas Pharmaceuticals is a rapidly expanding company with a reputation for high manufacturing standards, quality products and outstanding client service.

Judges identified strategy as a core strength of this business, with an evident desire for continued growth, innovation and success, motivated by a passion and drive to make a difference in people's lives.

Bluelab is a world-recognised leader in technology for water-based plant growing systems – offering meters, controllers and automated systems to support a new wave of commercial hydroponic food production worldwide.

Judges noted Bluelab as a rapid, serial innovator with clear evidence of international results, and were impressed by a business culture and working spaces that demonstrated an end-to-end understanding of innovation in practice.

Highly commended: Dexibit, The New Zealand Merino Company Limited

The New Zealand Merino Company Limited is an integrated sales, marketing and innovation company for New Zealand merino wool, and the world's leading supplier of ethical wool through its accreditation brand ZQ.

Judges recognised the company's long-term achievement as an adopter and industry advocate for design thinking, with a collaborative approach across growers and stakeholders to help transform merino fibre from a commodity to a value-added, differentiated product in global markets.

As a vertically integrated, family-owned Māori food and beverage exporter, Kono lives and breathes the values of kaitiaki, integrity and ingenuity, and places these intergenerational values at the heart of what they do and how they do it.

Judges praised Kono's committed and authentic relationships with partners and distributors, their rich storytelling for international audiences, and the collective thinking throughout the business that adds real commercial value from marketing through to distribution.

Highly commended: Ao Skincare

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