These awards were open to all businesses in the Queenstown region to reflect the many ways local businesses of all sizes contribute to Queenstown. This was their opportunity to be recognised for their hard work.
Winners of the 2025 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards were announced at a vibrant ceremony held on Saturday 8th November at the Queenstown Memorial Centre, right in the heart of the CBD.
More than 250 local business leaders and supporters gathered to celebrate the innovation, resilience, and excellence that define Queenstown’s business community.
Ex Queenstowner and now broadcaster Matty McLean brought warmth and wit to the evening as MC, keeping the crowd entertained throughout the night.
Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge won the Excellence in Sustainability and Environmental Business Practice award and later took out the 2degrees Supreme Business of the Year.
2025 Supreme Business Award Winners,
Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge
Excellence in Sustainability and Environmental Business Practice, sponsored by Destination Queenstown
Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Queenstown Airport
The Boat Shed Bakery
Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Polestar
EpicShot
Excellence in Community Contribution, sponsored by SkyCity Queenstown
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
Excellence in Marketing, sponsored by Shotover Creative
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Employer of the Year, sponsored by RealNZ
Kinross
Excellence in Professional Services and Business Solutions, sponsored by Lane Neave Lawyers
Both Brains
Excellence in Customer Experience, sponsored by Kingpin Queenstown
Glenorchy Air
The People’s Choice, sponsored by Mountain Scene
Pivotal Point
The Good Sort Award, sponsored by Hamish Walker of Walker & Co Realty
Michael Sly
Judges ‘Going Places’ Award, sponsored by Air New Zealand
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
2025 2degrees Queenstown Business Supreme Winner
Headwaters Glenorchy Eco Lodge
These awards were open to everyone, whether you’re a sole trader, an ambitious startup, an established business, or anything in between. With 10 diverse categories there was an opportunity for every business to be recognised.
This award recognises an organisation that has put people at the heart of their business. They will have developed leading workplaces that demonstrate how their people practices and culture have contributed to the business’ outstanding success with a commitment to creating opportunities for employee learning, growth, and engagement.
The “Good Sort” award recognises an individual who demonstrates excellent business standards, ethics, and community involvement. It recognises individuals who go above and beyond to help others and make a positive impact in their community and workplace.
Nominations are submitted by the public, with a judging panel selecting the finalists and winner in accordance with the award criteria. See nomination form on website below.
This award recognises a business that gives back more than they take, by taking a holistic and purpose led approach towards the creation of long term environmental and social value.
This award will look at investments, programmes and projects that support sustainable development.
Recognising a business that has achieved success by providing excellent and sustained customer service and client commitment.
This award recognises a business that demonstrates outstanding customer and market insight, using marketing to optimise performance and increase customer loyalty, retention, and satisfaction.
Unlike the other categories that have an independent group of judges, this award is in the hands of the public through online voting.
All category finalists are entered into the People’s Choice Award unless specified otherwise.
This award recognises organisations that have implemented initiatives that have had a positive impact in the community and strive to generate outcomes that have long-term benefit for Queenstown.
This award recognises a business that has enhanced its success by identifying and
implementing an innovative idea- both in thinking and implementing the idea. An innovation can be in design/product/service and/or technology.
This award recognises businesses that excel in providing outstanding services in the professional services sector.
Recognises excellence in smaller organisations with an annual turnover up to and including $1 million per year, which have achieved overall significant growth or performance as a result of effective planning and delivery. Entry requirements:
Minimum 1.5 full time equivalent employees and an annual turnover up to and including $1 million excl GST.
Judges will select the recipient of this prestigious award from the winners of each category.
No application form required.
2degrees is proud to be the headline sponsor for the 2025 Queenstown Business Awards.
