The five finalists in the ANZ Business of the Year Awards People's Choice in Retail Category have been announced.

Just over 500 votes were cast when the voting period ended on 30 November and the top five (in no particular order) are The Stork Network, Big Al’s, Stoked Cycles, Hyundai Mid Canterbury and Garage Gym.

The winner and runner-up in the People’s Choice in Retail category will be announced at the awards gala evening on 18 February 2022.

Ashburton District Council is partnering with ANZ and Ri Ra Events to host the inaugural event, which aims to recognise and promote local business excellence.

Council Community Services Group Manager Steve Fabish said voting in the People’s Choice award had been close and just one vote separated first and second.

“It has been great to see people voting for their favourite business or outlet and it turned out to be as close as it can get.

“There were 11 businesses in the category and they were a real variety, all with good voting support. We look forward to honouring the finalists and winners of all the different categories at the awards evening next year.”

The ANZ Business of the Year Awards also feature an award for a future business leader and categories for primary industries, export, tourism, manufacturing, not-for-profit and technology and innovation. A supreme winner will be decided by Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown.

Mayor Brown said the district’s business community had dealt with a lot in the past two years.

“Covid has had quite an impact and forced many to rethink how they connect with customers. The majority of our local businesses are small to medium enterprises and they have had to adapt to new and changing circumstances.

“I’m proud of our whole business community, from those selling coffee to those fixing tractors. As a district we will emerge from these challenging times in reasonably good shape.

“All our prospects are intertwined, so supporting our local businesses and services is very important.”

Finalists in the other categories will be announced later this month.

See more at our website businessoftheyear.nz

ANZ Business of the Year Awards Categories:

Excellence in Tourism Award – sponsored by NZ Ski

Excellence in Technology & Innovation – sponsored by Lynda Stevenson Chartered Accountants

Excellence in Not For Profit - sponsored by Naylor Love

Excellence in Primary Industries – sponsored by Catalyst Performance Agronomy

Excellence in Export Award – sponsored by Croys

Excellence in Manufacturing Award – sponsored by HEB

People’s Choice Award for Retail – sponsored by MediaWorks

Future Business Leader Award - sponsored by Sheep Milk New Zealand