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Frequently Asked Questions

Is my business eligible to enter?

Your business should be one whole legal entity (e.g. Company, Trust, Sole trader) and any subsidiaries that are consolidated into the entity by GAAP. (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
You should be able to provide one set of accounts (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet) that includes the whole entity. That is the entity being judged.
You should be locally owned and operated. I.e, the governance structure being judged (e.g. Board, Trustees, Owner), should be Northland based and responsible for all the decisions and take all the risks, relating to that business e.g. funding, systems, marketing, HR, compliance. They should also have the ultimate choice of how to provide all inputs. For example, a Franchisee cannot choose to use alternative services for many of their major business inputs.
You are solely responsible for the budget and strategic plan of the whole legal entity and must be able to demonstrate that within your Northland business.

Does it cost me to enter?

There is no cost to enter the awards.

Do I need to be a NorthChamber member to enter?

No, you don’t need to be a NorthChamber member to enter the awards. However, membership offers your business many benefits including events and networking, free business advice and more.

How long will it take me to enter?

This depends on how easy it is for you to gather the information for your entry. The process of entering is usually helpful for your business so the time you take to enter is never wasted. Once you have gathered your information the application process should take approximately four hours. If you have any questions, please contact us to assist you.

Do the award criteria take into account an organisation’s financial performance?

Yes, however this does not need to be submitted in the application form. Any information regarding financial performance will be requested at the site visit only and you will be contacted to discuss this prior to your site visit.

Judging Process

The judging process will combine a desk-top business study with a follow up on-site judges visit from the Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards judging panel. A modified Baldrige criteria based closely on a standard developed by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation will be used. This system allows for the equitable comparison of businesses of unlike scale and nature based on measurable qualities.
All judges sign a confidentiality agreement and are required to disclose any conflict of interest that may arise from any entrant business. Also if any entrant feels they would be unfairly disadvantaged by being judged then that judge can be substituted without prejudice, by contacting ceo@northchamber.co.nz

What entrants and winners receive

Value proposition for Awards Entrant:

  • Receive an industry-approved Business Health Check clarifying your current position and future opportunities.
  • Inclusion in Regional Business Partnership initiative with access to potential training funding.
  • Attend presentation events, meet key industry figures, and network with like-minded business people.
  • Have the opportunity to benchmark your business against others, both within and outside your industry.
  • Have the chance to promote your business with national exposure to new customers and potential partners.
  • Celebrate the journey of your business to date and reward staff.
  • Name and logo in relevant pre & post award media advertising

Value proposition for Category Winners:

  • Discounted NorthChamber membership for the following year.
  • Opportunity to guest speak at a NorthChamber function.
  • 2 discounted event tickets to one NorthChamber function.
  • Permission to display the NorthChamber Awards Winner logo on company stationery and advertising material.
  • NZME. media package in the Northern Advocate consisting of a half page (compact Monday to Friday, or quarter page broadsheet on Saturday) to the value of $1496.00 + GST. This package includes advertising placement, excluding features, and a free design service. (Excludes More FM Customer Choice winners and Northern Advocate Hall of Fame inductee)
  • MediaWorks (radio) media package consisting of $500+GST airtime and free advert creative.
  • A winner certificate and a trophy.
    TOTAL PACKAGE VALUE – over $2000+GST


Value proposition for the Northland Business Excellence Supreme Winner

  • Discounted NorthChamber membership for the following year.
  • Opportunity to guest speak at a NorthChamber function.
  • 2 complimentary event tickets to one NorthChamber function.
  • 2 discounted event tickets to one NorthChamber function.
  • Permission to display the NorthChamber Awards Winner logo on company stationery and advertising material.
  • 1 Complimentary BA5 hosting opportunity. (NorthChamber BA5 event hosting fee valued at a minimum of $350+GST)
  • NZME. media package in the Northern Advocate consisting of a full page (compact Monday to Friday, or half page broadsheet on Saturday) to the value of $2728.00 + GST. This package includes advertising placement, excluding features, and a free design service (Consisting of the category winner prize and supreme award prize).
  • MediaWorks (radio) media package consisting of $1000+GST airtime and free advert creative (Consisting of the category winner prize and supreme award prize).
  • A winner certificate and a trophy 
    TOTAL PACKAGE VALUE – over $5500+GST
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