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Spreading the word about our 2022 business awards

July 25, 2021

The Ashburton District Council is hosting a business networking event at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre on Friday, August 6, from 4 pm to 6 pm, to spread the word about the ANZ Business of the Year Awards.

The inaugural business awards have just been launched and entries are now being encouraged. The networking event will be a chance to tell people more about the different award categories and what is involved.


Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said businesses will be able to ask questions, talk to those involved and register for the awards, making the whole process easier.

“This is the first time these events have been held and it’s a great opportunity to showcase you and your business within the region.


“We know things have been tough and we want to spread the successes, wins, and good news stories of the district.”


ANZ has just been announced as the platinum sponsor for the awards, which include a People’s Choice award for retail that is decided by public text vote. Retailers entering that category at the networking event will receive a poster with their unique voting code that they can share with customers and encourage them to vote – the voting period is from 1 August to November 30.


All votes are by free text to 4196. All entries to the awards will receive an official entrant certificate and window sticker.


There is also a Future Business Leader Award and a Supreme Winner, chosen from the winners of categories for primary industries, export, tourism, manufacturing, not-for-profit, and technology and innovation.


Entries must be received by 5 pm on November 30 and winners will be revealed at a gala evening on February 18 next year.


Mr Fabish said the networking event was an informal way to get the ball rolling and he hoped to see a good representation from the business community.

Light refreshments will be provided and people wanting to come should RSVP by Wednesday 4 August, along with any dietary requirements.

Ashburton district event wins prestigious national award!

September 8, 2024
Mid Canterbury’s event management and promotions company Rí Rá Events, working in partnership with the Ashburton District Council has picked up a prestigious New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) award for, “Best Local Government Event” for their production of the ANZ Business of The Year Awards 2024. Rí Rá Events attended the NZEA awards gala dinner in Palmerston North on Tuesday 27 th August to collect the award. The event also received “special mention” in the “Best Business Event” category on the evening. The ANZ Business of The Year Awards was held in February 2024 at the Ashburton Aviation Museum and 375 guests attended the gala awards dinner. The overall objective of the event was to promote the Ashburton District as a great place to do business. Rí Rá events have already commenced work on the 2026 Business of the Year Awards event welcoming ANZ Bank onboard once again for the journey. Speaking about the awards, director Colm McGrath said, “We’re delighted to win a New Zealand Event Association Award for this event. We believe it proves that Mid Canterbury can and does deliver great events. It was a pleasure to work with the economic development and events team from Ashburton District Council on this project” Rí Rá events & Ashburton District Council were shortlisted as finalists in July and competed against the following events, Local Wild Food Festival, Whakatāne District Council, Taste Hastings, Hastings District Council , TSB Festival of Lights Winter Pop Up, New Plymouth District Council and Waitangi Day 2024, Porirua City to win this award. Founded in 2019 by two Irish kiwis, Gary Manning & Colm McGrath Rí Rá Events produces and promotes events predominantly in the Mid Canterbury region. It’s key clients include The Embassy of Ireland, The Ashburton District Council, ANZ Bank, Ashburton Toyota and The New Zealand Law Society. The phase Rí Rá roughly translates from Gaeilge to English as ‘fun’.

ANZ Business of The Year Awards 2024 Event has been shortlisted as finalists for the 2024 NZEA Awards

July 8, 2024
The ANZ Business of the Year Awards, a joint venture between Ashburton District Council & Ri Ra Events has been shortlisted as a finalist for Best Business Event and Best Local Government Event in the New Zealand Event Industry Awards 2024.

ANZ Business of the Year Award winners fly high

February 24, 2024
Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa, sourced by the mountains and powered by the sun, has been crowned the Ashburton District's supreme winner at the ANZ Business of the Year Awards 2024.
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