Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026
Celebrating Excellence. Inspiring Success.
The Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026, proudly produced by Business Whanganui, celebrate the businesses and organisations that contribute to the strength, innovation, and prosperity of the Whanganui District.
Entering the awards is more than an opportunity to win an award. It’s an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day, reflect on your achievements, benchmark your performance, recognise your people, and share your story.
Entries open 8.00am Friday 3 July 2026
Why Enter?
Entering the Yorb Whanganui Business Awards provides an opportunity to:
- Benchmark your business or organisation against recognised standards of excellence.
- Recognise and celebrate your achievements and your team.
- Gain valuable insights through the independent judging process.
- Raise your profile and celebrate alongside Whanganui’s business community.
Quick Start Guide
New to the awards?
Download our Entrant Quick Start Guide for everything you need to know before you begin, including eligibility, categories, key dates, the judging process, and how to prepare a strong entry.
📄 Download the Entrant Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Award Categories
Capability Excellence Awards
Open to eligible businesses and organisations.
These awards recognise the core capabilities that underpin sustainable organisational success, including leadership, innovation, customer experience, people, sustainability, and community impact.
Categories:
- Emerging Business
- Growth & Resilience
- Innovation & Transformation
- Employer of the Year
- Customer Experience
- Sustainability & Stewardship
- Community Impact
Sector Excellence Awards
Open to eligible businesses.
These awards recognise excellence within key sectors of the Whanganui business community.
Categories:
- Built Environment Excellence Award
- Manufacturing & Production Excellence Award
- Professional & Consumer Services Excellence Award
- Visitor Economy Excellence Award
📄 Download the Category Question Sets (PDF)
Key Dates
- Entries Open — Thursday 2 July 2026
- Entries Close — 5.00pm Friday 11 September 2026
- Financial Declaration Due — Friday 11 September 2026
- Entry Fee Due — Friday 18 September 2026
- Finalists Announced — Thursday 5 November 2026
- Awards Gala Event — Saturday 21 November 2026
Financial Declaration
Each entry must include a completed Financial Declaration signed by your accountant, Chartered Accountant, or other suitably qualified accounting professional.
📄 Download the Financial Declaration (PDF)
Proudly Supported by Yorb
Business Whanganui gratefully acknowledges Yorb, Naming Rights Partner of the Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026.
Yorb’s support enables Business Whanganui to deliver an awards programme that celebrates excellence, recognises achievement, and strengthens our local business community.
Become a Category Partner
Align your business with excellence and support the recognition of outstanding businesses and organisations across Whanganui.
Category Partners receive exclusive branding, promotional opportunities, event recognition, and the opportunity to present an award at the Gala Event.
Learn more about becoming a Category Partner.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure which category to enter or would like assistance with your submission, we’re here to help.
Helen Garner
Awards Manager
Business Whanganui
Email: ceo@businesswhanganui.nz
Ready to Enter?
Start your Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026 entry today.
â–¶ Enter the Awards
Special Awards
In addition to the Capability Excellence Awards and Sector Excellence Awards, the Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026 will also recognise excellence through three special awards:
Supreme Award
All category winners are automatically considered for the Supreme Award. Selected by the Judges Panel, the Supreme Award recognises the outstanding overall entrant in the Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026.
Judith Timpany Award
Selected by the Business Whanganui Chamber Board, this award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to business and the Whanganui community.
People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award gives the wider Whanganui community the opportunity to vote for their favourite business from this year’s finalists.
More information about these special awards, including the People’s Choice voting process, will be announced soon.
Helpful Resources
Before completing your entry you may find these documents useful:
📄 Entrant Quick Start Guide (PDF)
📄 Financial Declaration (PDF)
📄 Category Question Sets (PDF)
📄 Terms & Conditions