Finalists & Categories

Judges reviewed a large number of high-quality entries with more than 120 individual applications received for our judged award categories. 

The judges were impressed by both the calibre and diversity of businesses entering this year's awards. A huge congratulations to this year's finalists.

  • Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki 
  • Tairua Pauanui Sports Fishing Club 
  • The South Pacific Motel and Conference Centre 
  • Whitianga Community Services Trust 
  • Get It On  
  • My Thai 
  • Coromandel Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park 
  • Woof Woof Ranch 
  • Hahei Explorer 
  • Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga 
  • Franklin Vets 
  • Hauraki Māori Trust Board 
  • New World Whangamatā 
  • Taylor Projects & Solutions Ltd 
  • Bayleys Coromandel 
  • Future Health & Fitness Club 
  • Reach N Clean 
  • Onform PM Limited 
  • Build Good Architecture 
  • Driving Creek Railway Ltd 
  • Finest Clothing Limited 
  • Te Reo Irirangi o Pare Hauraki, Ngā Iwi FM
People's Choice Finalists
  • People’s Choice Hauraki: Woof Woof Ranch and Turua Bakery 
  • People’s Choice Thames-Coromandel: Luke's Kitchen and My Thai 

The winners will be announced at the Gala Evening, to be held on Thursday 15 October 2026 at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre.  

General admission tickets go on sale from Friday 4 September, so keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates as we count down to this year's awards celebration. 

Categories

  • Community Contribution: This award celebrates businesses that strengthen communities through leadership, service, innovation, collaboration, and long-term commitment.
  • Customer Experience: This award recognises businesses that consistently deliver exceptional service and memorable customer experiences.
  • Employer Excellence: This award celebrates workplaces where people feel valued, supported, included, and empowered to thrive.
  • Marketing and Digital Edge: This award recognises businesses using marketing and digital tools effectively to grow their brand and reach customers.
  • New and Emerging: For businesses under three years (at the time of the awards) old that are showing strong early success, innovation, resilience, and future potential
  • Excellence in Sustainability: This award celebrates businesses that are actively reducing environmental impact and embedding sustainability into everyday operations.
  • Māori Business Excellence: This award celebrates Māori-led businesses in the Hauraki rohe creating meaningful outcomes for whānau, hapū, iwi, and the wider community through a Kaupapa Māori approach.
  • Service to Business: This category is for someone who has given their time, energy and enthusiasm to businesses in the community. Nominated by a member of the public. The winner is decided by the judging panel.

Terms & Conditions

  • Any sole proprietor, partnership, incorporated society, limited liability company, educational institution, local or central government organisation, charitable or not-for-profit organisation, with its principal place of business based in, and trading in, the Hauraki and/or Thames Coromandel Districts is eligible to enter the awards.
  • An organisation that is part of a larger national or international organisation or franchise must be able to demonstrate that it operates as a separate business unit.
  • Applicants must disclose any issues that may compromise the integrity of the awards or cause their organisation to discontinue in the next year. These issues may include legal action, law changes, possible loss of funding or other risks.
  • Entering the Claymark Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards gives consent to take part in publicity as part of the Awards Programme.
  • All entrants agree to be visited by Judges if they are selected as a category finalist.
  • All entrants are encouraged to attend the Claymark Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards Gala Dinner. Finalists are expected to attend.
  • Entrants may use consultants or other outside assistance to help them prepare their entries but should make this clear on their entry.
  • The organisers may change an entrant category after discussion with that entrant.
  • All entries are treated in strictest confidence.
  • The Awards Convenor, Sponsors and TCDC/HDC Board/Staff have no input or involvement in the judging process.
  • Judges will not judge any organisation where a conflict of interest arises.
  • Decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • There is no cost to participate as an entrant.
  • By entering the Claymark Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards, you are consenting to agree to the above conditions.


 

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