About the awards
Applications for the New Zealand International Business Awards 2019 opened on 18 March 2019 and closed on 15 July 2019.
Putting a good submission together takes time and effort. Thank you to all those who submitted an application.
General categories
for Excellence in Business
Best Emerging Business
Recognising success by net return to the New Zealand economy for businesses with a total annual revenue under $5 million; and have a history of operating internationally with growth up to a maximum of 5 years.
Best Medium Business
Recognising success by net return to the New Zealand economy, for businesses with total annual revenue between $5 million and $40 million.
Best Large Business
Recognising success by net return to the New Zealand economy, for businesses with total annual revenue over $40 million.
Special categories
for Excellence in Business
Excellence in Innovation
Recognising success in developing and commercialising innovation in international markets, incorporating intellectual property, strategy, processes, and monitoring.
Excellence in Design
Recognising the best use of design to succeed in a global marketplace. Entrants will have achieved success by integrating design into their business model and a high degree of design competency across their products, services, environment and culture.
He kai kei aku ringa for Māori Excellence in Export
This award recognises Māori business contribution to the New Zealand export economy – the approach, values and tikanga that underpin and uniquely define Māori business.
Inspiring Women Leaders
Recognising women leaders with the skills and perspectives to lead from a uniquely New Zealand perspective, while maintaining a broad global outlook.
Inspiring Preference for New Zealand
Recognising the best use of design to succeed in a global marketplace. Entrants will have achieved success by integrating design into their business model and a high degree of design competency across their products, services, environment and culture.
Supreme Award
Category winners will vie for the top accolade of the Judges’ Supreme Award for International Business, to be announced at the Awards ceremony.
Entry Guide
We encourage you to check out the downloadable PDF Entry Guide. This handy guide outlines all category questions while providing judges tips and guidance to help you submit your best application.
Entry Criteria
The awards are open to any New Zealand business that meets the entry criteria. Businesses do not have to be an account or client of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to apply.
To enter the NZIBA all entrants must:
be registered with the New Zealand Companies Office
not be under investigation by any New Zealand or international statutory body (e.g. Accident Compensation Corporation, New Zealand Police, Health and Disability Commission, Inland Revenue).
agree that, in respect of NZIBA entries only, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise can:
i) update its client records from the information provided by the entrant; and ii) obtain a Equifax Business Report.
must be exporting internationally
Entrants must also demonstrate:
sustained and future commitment to international business and to New Zealand
proven business strategies
quality goods and services
a sound business and brand reputation, on and offshore
sustainable business principles
capacity and capability for future growth.
Terms and Conditions
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Previous award winners can enter the awards.
Current employees of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and ANZ cannot enter the awards.
a sound business and brand reputation, on and offshore
Judges cannot be nominated in leadership categories.
All finalists and winners agree to media coverage.
All entry information is held on a commercial-in-confidence basis.
No entry information will be shared or distributed to third parties – but there is an option for companies to receive partner information from time to time.
NZTE reserves the right to cancel the programme or individual award categories within the programme.
NZTE reserves the right to change the timeline including the awards dinner and ceremony date.