JUDGING PROCESS
Judging steps
In the first stage of the process, the judges will review your written application and decide which businesses will progress to stage 2.
Stage two includes a site visit, which will take about two hours. The judges will ask questions including about your application, your business and anything else they might find relevant.
The judges will then decide who the finalist and winners are for each category and supply feedback which will be shared with your after the Gala Dinner.
2026 Judges
Jason Trower
Head Judge
Amanda Hema
The University of Waikato
Andrew Van Oosten
AVO Consulting
Brendhan Greaney
Tatua
Bridget Smith
Kiwibank
Chris Williams
King St Advertising
Dylan Shell
KPMG
Eddie Stocks
Kiwibank
Fiona Michel
Braemar Hospital
Gwendoline Keel
Waikato Tainui
Hamish Ward
Forsyth Barr
Jane Hill
Chow Hill
Jason Cowan
BNZ
Jeremy Hughes
Company-X
Jessica Fearnley
Mitre 10 Mega
Jimmy Ormsby
Waitomo Group
Jo Goodwin
Westpac
Joanne Rickman
Rabobank
Jono Peart
Deloitte
Kelcy Ballantyne
IT Partners
Kim Hill
Stratigi
Kirstyn Beuzeval
Chung Associates
Kylie Harcourt
Point B
Michelle Baillie
SkyCity
Muhammad Cajee
Deloitte
Natalie Mora
Good George
Pam Roa
Longveld
Sam Cunnane
Wintec
Sam Hood
Norris Ward McKinnon
Simon Parham
Waitomo Group
Tony Begbie
ABC Business Sales
Tracey Clark
Gallagher
Warren Luxon
Fosters















