Awards Categories
When do entries open and close?
Entries for 2026 open Monday 3rd August and close on Monday 12th October at 11:59pm.Go here to start your entry once entries open.
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Can I enter myself for the Young Business Leader Award?
Yes! We except self-nominations for the Young Business Leader Award (nobody knows how much you have achieved as you do!). You will need to create an Awards Force account, start an entry and choose the "Young Business Leader Award - Application" category.
Entrants in this category must be 30 years of age or younger, as of the application closing date (12 October 2026).
How many finalists will there be in each category?
Where shortlisting is required, up to five finalists will be selected in each category.
If a category receives five or fewer eligible entries, all eligible entrants will progress as finalists, provided they meet the entry requirements and judging criteria.
The awards continue to grow in popularity. A finalist shortlisting process helps ensure the judging process remains fair, robust and manageable, while maintaining the value and prestige of being named a finalist.
Is there an opportunity to nominate a Young Business Leader
Yes! If you know a young business leader making waves in Nelson Tasman, you can nominate them online via our Awards Force platform once award entries open. You will need to register an account, start an entry and choose the "Young Business Leader Award- Nomination" category. Once you have nominated someone, we will contact them to ask that they make a formal entry submission.
Entrants in this category must be 30 years of age or younger, as of the application closing date.
Does entering mean we are automatically a finalist?
In previous years, this has been the case. However as the awards continue to grow in popularity, a finalist shortlisting process will be introduced if a category receives more than five eligible entries. In this case, the judges will select up to five finalists to progress in that category.
If an award category receives five or fewer eligible entries, all eligible entrants will progress as finalists, provided they meet the entry requirements and judging criteria.
If a category does not receive enough entries, the Chamber reserves the right to combine categories, reduce the number of finalists, or not present an award in a category where there are insufficient entries or where entries do not sufficiently meet the judging criteria.
When will finalists be announced?
Finalists will be announced by the end of October, ahead of the Nelson Pine Industries Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Dinner. Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner.
Do I need to be a member of Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce to enter?
No, the Chamber welcomes entries from all businesses in the region regardless of their membership status.
How much time will it take to put my entry together?
If you already have business and marketing plans, you’ll be able to use a lot of the information in those documents. If you do not have these documents, this is a great opportunity to get all the information in your head on to paper. We advise you do allow plenty of time to get your entry together. You are welcome to get in touch with us if you would like contact details for people who could assist you with your entries.
Can a non-profit business enter?
Yes. Explain how your funding is obtained, the criteria to which your charter or constitution requires you to operate, challenges you face in meeting your goals and objectives while retaining your special not-for-profit status. In 2018 we introduced a category, the Community Impact Award, specifically for programmes, projects, campaigns or an overall business that has had, or continues to have a positive impact on the Nelson Tasman community in a way that inspires others and makes a difference.