The awards are unique and are aim to recognise the wide range of New Zealand businesses that provide a support network which contributes to the success of other organisations. 

“AUT’s Business School differentiates itself with the depth of engagement with industry for the benefit of staff and students. These annual awards are one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to industry,” says AUT Business School Acting Dean, Professor Kate Kearins.  

As a Crown Research Institute, Plant & Food Research is owned by the Government but operates as an independent company, conducting research and development that supports the horticulture, arable, seafood, and food and beverage industry sectors.

“We’re delighted to be a finalist,” says Plant & Food Research CEO, Peter Landon-Lane. “The awards are a great way to get feedback and benchmark ourselves against other organisations looking to be the best at what they do in helping other organisations succeed.”

Judging for the awards is based on the Baldrige Criteria and considers leadership and planning, customer and market focus, provision of business support, evaluation and improvement, with a strong weighting on results.

Winners of the ten category awards and the supreme award will be named at a gala dinner on 5 October 2016.

More information about the awards can be found on the AUT website.