Finals fever for top businesses
Finalists in the People’s Choice Awards take to the stage.
The Taupō Business Chamber has officially announced the finalists for the 2025 Unison Great Lake Taupō Business Awards.
Thirty-three finalists were named across seven judged categories, on Tuesday night.
An additional 18 businesses were selected as finalists in the new, hotly contested People’s Choice category.
The judging panel was impressed by the diversity and quality of submissions, noting the calibre of entries this year was exceptionally high.
In some categories, only a single point separated those who made it through as finalists from those who didn’t.
Entries were received from businesses of all sizes – from one-person start-ups to long-standing local legends.
Unison, naming rights sponsor of the Awards, acknowledged the significance of the finalists' achievements:
Unison group general manager Customer, Commercial and Regulatory says it is great to see such a strong group of finalists this year, “each showing commitment to their craft, their people and their community.
“Taupō has a vibrant and resilient business community, and we’re proud to be part of recognising the people and businesses helping it thrive.”
The finalists will now move into the final stage of judging, with winners announced at a black-tie Gala Awards Night on August 8 at the Great Lake Centre.
A full list of finalists is available at taupobusinessawards.co.nz.
Finalists
Excellence in Strategy and Planning
• Graft Joinery
• Morrell Motors Limited
• MyStays NZ
• Farmers Quality Meats
• MTF Finance Taupō
• Houndstooth Interiors
• The Cozy Corner
Excellence in Marketing
• Morrell Motors Limited
• MTF Finance Taupō
• Graft Joinery
• Beaver Trees Taupo Ltd
• Houndstooth Interiors
• Café Lacus
Excellence in Sustainability
• Earthy Foods
• 5 Mile Distilling
• XOX Floral
Excellence in Community Contribution
• Beaver Trees Taupo Ltd
• Farmers Quality Meats
• The Cozy Corner
Excellence in Innovation
• SiteCare Ltd
• MyStays NZ
• Western Energy Services Limited
• Dough Bros Pizzas and more
Best Emerging Business
• Houndstooth Interiors
• Farmers Quality Meats
• MTF Finance Taupō
• 5 Mile Distilling
• Nexus Financial Advisory
Employer of the Year
• Sitecare Ltd
• McBeth Plumbing and Gas
• MyStays NZ
• Western Energy Services Limited
• The Cozy Corner
People’s Choice Award
• Bad Ass Training
• Cafe Lacus
• Darrell @ Young Nails
• Earthy Foods
• Floating Rock Cafe Kuratau
• Get Set Event Hire
• Hare & Copper Eatery, Turangi
• Here.For.It
• Huka Honey Hive
• New World Turangi
• Nexus Financial Advisory
• Simple bakes
• SiteCare Limited
• Skulpt Pilates
• Suncourt Indian
• Taupo Fencing
• Ultra AV
• Venture Beyond