A Hawkes Bay business dedicated to "powering up your day, one bite at a time" is the Supreme Winner of the New Zealand International Business Awards 2022, announced last night at the Awards' first in-person event since 2019.
Rockit Global is an apple company whose unique product – miniature apples – is now sold in more than 30 countries and grown in 10. Operating for more than 20 years, Rockit Global employs unique growing methods and technologies that are breaking new ground for their business and industry.
As well as the Supreme Award chosen by a panel of judges, Rockit Global also won the category award for Best Large Business.
Judges described Rockit Global as a worthy Supreme Award winner, due to an inspiring team with great global expertise that has successfully built their brand around a product that does not typically have a brand.
A record 57 finalists made it through to the last stages of the Awards for 2022, following a rigorous application and judging process. Finalists represented a wide range of sectors, spanning digital services, food and beverage, consumer products, agritech and more, with a strong showing from regional New Zealand.
Winners across 10 award categories were chosen by an independent panel of judges with extensive experience in growing businesses internationally.
The gala ceremony in Auckland, attended by more than 550 guests including finalists, business leaders and VIPs, was the first in-person presentation of the New Zealand International Business Awards since 2019. No awards were held in 2020, and the 2021 ceremony was delivered as a live online broadcast.
"These businesses have shown true spirit in navigating the challenges of the past few years. It was a pleasure to be able to recognise our extraordinary finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards,” said David Downs, convenor of judges for the Awards.
"Doing business internationally is never easy. Throw in COVID-19 disruptions, supply chain issues and rising costs: companies which have navigated all of this, and then some, deserve to be celebrated. And for New Zealand, the determination and ingenuity they've shown has never mattered more.
"We're genuinely privileged as judges to hear from these remarkable people and businesses. And the number of finalists in this year's Awards – exceeding the record set for 2021 – is testament to the standards being set by exporters. They represent the hard work and the contribution that export businesses make to our economy and the communities we live in."
To view the full lis5t of award winners, visit nzte.govt.nz
