Opinion: 2degrees Marlborough Business Excellence Awards 2025
Kylie Cornelius | Executive Officer | Marlborough Chamber of Commerce
Published in the Weekend Express 6 December
As Executive Officer of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, I am very proud of the results from this year’s Marlborough Business Excellence Awards. The Gala Awards Dinner at the Marlborough Events Centre, was a vibrant celebration of our local businesses showcasing their resilience, innovation and community spirit. Guest MC Luke Bird, resplendent in his sequin suit, kept the energy high throughout the evening.
The top honour of the night, the 2degrees Supreme Business of the Year, went to Puro New Zealand - a remarkable company that also claimed the Excellence in Primary Industries award. That dual recognition highlights the growing diversity of Marlborough’s economy, complementing our established viticulture sector. Puro’s success underscores the potential for innovation in primary industries drawing on Marlborough’s unique land and climate.
Our business awards celebrated those businesses that demonstrate quality, performance and excellence in their sector – businesses like award winners Goodyer Electrical and Solar (Customer Experience), Mag & Turbo Blenheim (Retail and Professional Services), The Marlborough Boutique Hotel (Hospitality and Tourism) and Marlborough Glass (Manufacturing and Construction).
Other awards were for those who are successfully meeting business challenges head-on. Challenges such as the need for innovation and creativity, sustainability, social impact, leadership, and inclusive cultures. On the sustainability front, Lawson’s Dry Hills earned the Excellence in Sustainability award, while MG Contracting was recognised with Excellence in Innovation. AssetMax took out the Emerging Business category.
The Excellence in Culture and Belonging award also shone a spotlight on organisations fostering inclusivity and connection within the community, and deservedly went to Marlborough Youth Trust, who while doing remarkable mahi for rangatahi in our region, were acknowledged by the judges as doing so on a very limited budget.
We also found bright youthful energy under the spotlight. Toastie Lords, via co‑owners Taylor Hamilton and Emma Faith, clinched both the Young Business Person of the Year and Business Personality of the Year awards, while Amy Gibbs’ enterprise, Wildmark, was recognised as 'One to Watch' in the Innovation category. These successes are a vivid reminder that Marlborough’s business future belongs as much to emerging talent as to established players.
For the Chamber, this year’s awards reinforce the value we bring as a connector, a champion and a platform for businesses to reflect, grow and inspire. Congratulations to every finalist, nominee and winner. Your successes are raising the bar and driving Marlborough’s economy forward.
As the dust settles, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum by supporting growth, encouraging fresh ideas, and ensuring Marlborough remains a place where enterprise thrives. We can’t wait to see who excels at the next awards in two years!