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.
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Welcome to the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025.
Celebrating the spirit, achievements, and the people behind our local business community.
We’re excited to bring you the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025. Celebrating the spirit, innovation, success and the people behind our local business community.
These awards are open to all businesses in the region and reflect the many ways local businesses of all sizes contribute to Queenstown. This is your opportunity to share your story and be recognised for you and your team’s hard work. We encourage you to step forward, share your story, and celebrate what makes your business special.
2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025
You don’t need to be a big brand to take part. These awards are open to everyone, whether you’re a sole trader, an ambitious startup, an established business, or anything in between.
With 10 diverse categories, including some exciting new additions this year, there’s an opportunity for every business to be recognised. Because success doesn’t come in just one shape or size.
You can enter as many categories as you like, provided you meet the criteria. This year we’re bringing back the prestigious ‘Employer of the Year’ category, as well as the Small Business of the Year. Also – we’re introducing a ‘Good Sort’ category to shine a light on the individuals making such incredible contributions to our business community.
2023 Supreme Business Award Winners, Active Adventures
Critical Dates
2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025
Benefits of Entering the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards
- Gain Clarity & Insights- Reflect on your journey, assess performance, and uncover opportunities for growth as you benchmark your business against the industry’s best.
- Boost Credibility & Visibility – Finalists and winners are celebrated in a dedicated print and digital campaign, raising your profile across the region.
- Strengthen Your Story – Crafting your entry helps clarify your story and strategy, which is valuable for marketing and growth.
- Motivate & Recognise Your Team – Celebrate your team’s achievements and innovation, boosting morale and pride.
- Expand Your Network – Attending our gala dinner and lead up events gives you the opportunity to network with other business leaders and professionals.
- Winners will be announced at this event.
2025 Awards Categories
With 10 diverse categories there’s an opportunity for every business to be recognised. You can enter as many categories as you like, provided you meet the criteria and it’s the right fit for your business. Please reach out if you need assistance to choose the most appropriate for your organisation.
The “Good Sort” of the Year business award recognises an individual who demonstrates excellent business standards, ethics, and community involvement. It recognizes 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 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.
This award recognises a business that stands out for customer satisfaction and has excelled in the eyes of the community. Unlike the other categories that have an independent group of judges, this award is in the hands of the public through online voting.
All entries 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 on the community as a whole or sectors of our 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 a product/service/technology or process.
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
Nominate someone for the Good Sort Award
This year we are introducing the ‘Good Sort Award’ that celebrates an individual that goes above and beyond for the Queenstown business community. This award recognises someone who demonstrates excellent business standards, ethics and makes a meaningful difference through community involvement.
It’s about honouring the quiet achievers, the mentors, the champions who make a positive impact in their workplace and across the community.
If you know someone like this, nominate them and help shine a light on their outstanding contribution.
Nominate a Business
Some businesses just need a little nudge! Give a shout out to a local business doing great things that deserves to be recognised in this year’s Awards. Your nomination could help them take the next step and share their story.
If you know someone like this, nominate them and help shine.
The judges for the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards are a panel of independent industry experts and business leaders.
In 2018 John retired after 30 years in the Department of Marketing at the University of Otago where he specialised in business strategy, retailing and sports marketing.
John became a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2018 for his services to sport and the community. He currently runs his own marketing consultancy company in Dunedin.
John has been a judge on the Queenstown Awards six times – starting in 2009. Every year he is ‘blown away’ by the extraordinary range and quality of businesses in Queenstown.
Dr John Guthrie MNZM
Head Judge.
Mat is currently the Chief Executive at Destination Queenstown (DQ). Prior to joining DQ, Mat was head of sales & services at Cardrona Alpine Resort (CARL) and Treble Cone and was involved in the acquisition of Treble Cone, securing the rights to develop into the SOHO Basin.
Mat moved from CARL to join the parent company RealNZ as GM of Experience
Whakatipu to oversee the Queenstown operation of the TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Jet Boating and Water Taxis.
Mat has a strong background in governance; he is currently a Director at
Regional Tourism NZ and Racers Edge in Wānaka. Recently he was on the board of Snow Sports NZ and the Chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism.
Before joining the tourism industry, Mat had extensive experience in outdoor adventure sports retail, he was the managing director of R&R Sport before selling to The Warehouse Group, merging R&R Sport with Torpedo 7.
Mat Woods
CEO Destination Queenstown & Lake Wanaka Tourism
Frank Gibbons is a seasoned business awards judge and the Regional Sales Manager for Air New Zealand, based in the Central Otago/Southland region.
He has been actively involved in evaluating and celebrating business excellence across several New Zealand Chambers across Otago/Southland.
Having judged across the Queenstown Business Awards for the past 3 cycles, he is looking forward to again celebrating the businesses that continue to impact the region
Frank Gibbons
Regional Sales Manager, Air New Zealand
Victoria Crockford is the co-Director of communications and government relations consultancy, Heft.
She has worked in a range of different business contexts, including for a publicly-listed company and startups, and is currently the Chair of a not-for-profit Board.
Her passion lies in seeing great SMEs thrive – she was born and raised in a SME household, with parents who founded, grew, and sold a wastewater installation and manufacturing business.
She is also passionate about seeing our community thrive, as a member of QLDC’s Climate and Biodiversity Reference Group and as a Trustee of the Three Lakes Cultural Trust, and the Project Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness.
Vic Crockford
Executive Director, Heft
Meghan is a specialist in workforce strategy, organisational development and leadership, who has been living and working in and around the Queenstown Lakes district for over 20 years.
Over that time she has held senior People & Culture roles across hospitality, accommodation and local government. Through her business In Context, she now works as an executive coach and organisation development consultant, partnering with business leaders to design innovative, practical workforce solutions.
Meghan recently worked with the Queenstown Business Chamber to develop the MahiQL Workforce Strategy — a district-wide approach to tackling shared workforce challenges through collective action.
Meghan Pagey
Executive Coach, In Context
Our Partners and Sponsors are what make these awards possible. By supporting these awards, they are recognising and celebrating the excellence in the business community.
FAQ's
Entry forms must be completed and submitted by Monday, 22 September 2025 at 5pm. Entries after this date will not be accepted.
To be eligible for the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards, the business must be based in the Queenstown Lakes region and must have been in operation for at least 12 months.
*Not-for-profit organisations and sole traders qualify. Government and local government entities are unable to enter.
No, you don’t need to be a member to enter.
No, all businesses and not-for-profit organisations can enter themselves.
If you’d like to nominate someone for an award, simply email us at admin@queenstownchamber.org.nz with their business name, contact details, and a brief explanation of why you think they deserve to be recognised.
Nominations are confidential, but you’re welcome to let the business know you’ve nominated them and encourage them to enter. Sometimes, a nomination is just the encouragement a business needs to get involved.
Businesses may enter as many awards as they like but cannot enter any awards they have been a previous winner of. All entrants are eligible for the 2degress Supreme Business Excellence Award and the People’s Choice Award sponsored by Mountain Scene.
Many businesses will be eligible for multiple awards. You should choose the award that most suits the emphasis you wish to highlight in your entry. If you need some advice feel free to get in touch with the Queenstown Business Awards team.
Your entry should be submitted via our online entry form and include the information requested. Supporting documents or materials with your application can be submitted on the last page of your entry form on the online platform.
There is no cost to enter 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025
Yes, your entry for the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards will be kept confidential. All judges sign a confidentiality waiver and will abstain from judging an entry if there is a conflict of interest.
Winners are selected based on scores assigned by the judging panel
Yes, you are encouraged to share your participation on social media, email signatures, your website, etc
For technical support during the submission process, please contact admin@queenstownchamber.org.nz
Detailed terms and conditions are available and should be reviewed to understand all requirements and guidelines fully.This can be found here
Contact
Award Entries
P: admin@queenstownchamber.org.nz
E: 03 441 8254
Queenstown Chamber of Commerce
In 2018 John retired after 30 years in the Department of Marketing at the University of Otago where he specialised in business strategy, retailing and sports marketing.
John became a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2018 for his services to sport and the community. He currently runs his own marketing consultancy company in Dunedin.
John has been a judge on the Queenstown Awards six times – starting in 2009. Every year he is ‘blown away’ by the extraordinary range and quality of businesses in Queenstown.
Mat is currently the Chief Executive at Destination Queenstown (DQ). Prior to joining DQ, Mat was head of sales & services at Cardrona Alpine Resort (CARL) and Treble Cone and was involved in the acquisition of Treble Cone, securing the rights to develop into the SOHO Basin.
Mat moved from CARL to join the parent company RealNZ as GM of Experience
Whakatipu to oversee the Queenstown operation of the TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Jet Boating and Water Taxis.
Mat has a strong background in governance; he is currently a Director at
Regional Tourism NZ and Racers Edge in Wānaka. Recently he was on the board of Snow Sports NZ and the Chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism.
Before joining the tourism industry, Mat had extensive experience in outdoor adventure sports retail, he was the managing director of R&R Sport before selling to The Warehouse Group, merging R&R Sport with Torpedo 7.
Frank Gibbons is a seasoned business awards judge and the Regional Sales Manager for Air New Zealand, based in the Central Otago/Southland region.
He has been actively involved in evaluating and celebrating business excellence across several New Zealand Chambers across Otago/Southland.
Having judged across the Queenstown Business Awards for the past 3 cycles, he is looking forward to again celebrating the businesses that continue to impact the region
Victoria Crockford is the co-Director of communications and government relations consultancy, Heft.
She has worked in a range of different business contexts, including for a publicly-listed company and startups, and is currently the Chair of a not-for-profit Board.
Her passion lies in seeing great SMEs thrive – she was born and raised in a SME household, with parents who founded, grew, and sold a wastewater installation and manufacturing business.
She is also passionate about seeing our community thrive, as a member of QLDC’s Climate and Biodiversity Reference Group and as a Trustee of the Three Lakes Cultural Trust, and the Project Director of the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness.
Meghan is a specialist in workforce strategy, organisational development and leadership, who has been living and working in and around the Queenstown Lakes district for over 20 years.
Over that time she has held senior People & Culture roles across hospitality, accommodation and local government. Through her business In Context, she now works as an executive coach and organisation development consultant, partnering with business leaders to design innovative, practical workforce solutions.
Meghan recently worked with the Queenstown Business Chamber to develop the MahiQL Workforce Strategy — a district-wide approach to tackling shared workforce challenges through collective action.