Judges

Sue Loder is a Business Growth Advisor at Soda, a Start Up Aotearoa Business Coach, and a business mentor with Business Mentors New Zealand.  With more than 30 years of experience owning and operating businesses across a range of industries, Sue enjoys working alongside business owners to help them gain clarity, work through challenges, and build businesses that are practical, sustainable, and able to grow. She brings a supportive, down-to-earth approach and is excited to be a judge again for the 2026 Hauraki Business Awards.

I’ll be looking for businesses that have a clear purpose, a good understanding of their customers, and a realistic plan for where they are heading. For me, strong businesses are the ones that keep learning, adapting, and building solid foundations for the future.

Kylie Hawker-Green is an experienced governance professional and business leader with a strong background in economic development, tourism and major events. She brings to the judging panel extensive experience as an Awards Convenor, having led and delivered successful business awards programmes in both Hawke’s Bay and Taupō, where she championed excellence, transparency and meaningful recognition of regional success.

Kylie’s career spans senior leadership roles across the public and private sectors, including her current position as General Manager of Destination Hauraki Coromandel. In this role, she works closely with industry, councils and stakeholders to strengthen the regional economy through sustainable tourism and strategic partnerships.

Passionate about celebrating business achievement, Kylie is known for her strategic insight, commercial acumen and ability to identify initiatives that drive long-term impact. She is committed to supporting businesses that contribute to vibrant, resilient communities and is delighted to be part of this year’s judging panel.

Matt Brown is an Investment Adviser at Craigs Investment Partners, joining in 2023 after seven years working in London, where he met his wife. In 2025, he married in the Coromandel, a region he now has a strong personal connection to.

 Through his work advising business owners, families and investors, Matt has developed a strong appreciation for what makes a great business. He values businesses with strong culture that back their people, believing that when you look after your people, they will look after your customers and your business.