Tauranga-based legal tech start-up LawVu has won the coveted Business of the Year Award at the Tauranga Business Awards
2021.
The Tauranga Business Awards are held annually by Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, with a view to recognise and celebrate
local businesses of all sizes and stages.
This year the awards night was held as a hybrid digital-physical event, which saw entrants celebrating in their
‘bubbles’ and a VIP gathering of 100 guests congregate at Farmer Autovillage. It was here that LawVu was announced as
the winner by VIP guest Hon Jan Tinetti, while one of the judges delivered the award to the LawVu team in an Audi R8,
donated by Farmer Autovillage for the occasion.
LawVu received the top honour for spearheading digital innovative through their unique, Cloud-based online platform. It
has transformed the legal industry and is fast becoming the world’s leading platform for in-house legal teams. They also
won the Digital, Business and Technology Innovation category.
The judges noted that LawVu has huge potential for further growth, and credited them for choosing to base their global
operations out of Tauranga and create new opportunities to attract a highly skilled workforce.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Cowley says the Chamber is delighted to see a high calibre of entrants, who all
rose to the occasion and took the opportunity to enter their businesses – despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.
“This year, we had a high number of entrants, all with very high standards, which made the selection process a very
robust and challenging discussion for the judges.
“Every year, through the awards process, we continue to see local businesses change the way they do business, seeking
new ways of working, overcoming new challenges and responding with a ‘can-do’ attitude that makes them thrive.
“For the Chamber, this is the reason why we felt strongly that the awards needed to continue this year. It’s important
celebrate the resilience and adaption to change that we see in our community.”
Head Facilitator Jamie Lunam, speaking on behalf of the judges, says, “The calibre of entrants was not only diverse, but
incredibly humbling. We have some epic COVID-19 pivots, brave businesses facing up to significant structural challenges,
hair-brained ideas that turned into businesses, incredible tech start-ups and everything in between.
“They entered the awards for validation and feedback, but the reality is that these entrants could teach the Tauranga
business ecosystem a thing or two. We wish all applicants and finalists a successful 2021.”
Another top honour of note was the award for Corporate Leadership, which this year went to Trevelyan’s. The Corporate
Leadership award is selected by Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and recognises a large-scale business that is making a
significant and positive impact to the region’s economy.
Event organiser Anne Pankhurst says Trevelyan’s is leading the charge with their response to COVID-19 and how they are
managing to keep their people safe in a challenging environment.
“As well as being a hugely successful packhouse, Trevelyan’s has a considerable focus on community support across all
facets of their business. This is particularly evident with their people and the importance of creating an environment
that is safe and welcoming for their diverse workforce.”
This year also saw every Tauranga Business Awards entrant put forward for the only publicly voted award, the NZME
People’s Choice Award. More than 3500 people voted through the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce’s website and emerging
business Girls Get Off was crowned the category winner.
The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce exists to celebrate and support local businesses, and thanks all the sponsors for
supporting business excellence and the judges for the huge contribution they make to the entrants. Congratulations to
all the entrants for your hard work and achievements throughout the past year.Tauranga Business Awards 2021 winners and finalistsWorkplace Safety Award – Sponsored by Vertical Horizonz NZWinner JNP Aviation Ltd
Highly Commended ISO Ltd
Finalist Skydive TaurangaBusiness, Digital & Technology Innovation Award – Sponsored by Holland Beckett LawWinner LawVu Ltd
Highly Commended ISO
Finalist Tauranga Commercial Laundry & ApparelmasterContinuous Improvement/Lean Award – Sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Productivity PeopleWinner Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Skydive Tauranga
Finalist Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services TrustCustomer Experience Award – Sponsored by Classic GroupWinner Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Highly Commended JNP Aviation Ltd
Highly Commended Skydive Tauranga
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Exceed – We Fix Windows and Doors
Finalist New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers LtdPeople and Culture Award – Sponsored by Lysaght Consultants and The Culture CoWinner Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Base Up Contracting Ltd
Finalist JNP Aviation Ltd
Finalist Vitruvius Ltd
Finalist PMG FundsSustainable Business Award – Sponsored by TrustpowerWinner Tauranga Commercial Laundry & Apparelmaster
Finalist EcoResto
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Finalist Good ChangeEmerging Business Award – Sponsored by Toi Ohomai Institute of TechnologyWinner Real Rad Foods Ltd
Finalist Girls Get Off Ltd
Finalist V on Wheels LtdService Excellence Award – Sponsored by ZespriWinner Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)
Finalist JNP Aviation Ltd
Finalist PMG FundsSocial Enterprise Award – Sponsored by Metro MarketingWinner Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust
Finalist The Kollective
Finalist Holistic Vets (ARRC Wildlife Trust)Manufacturing, Construction & Distribution – Sponsored by Tauranga Chamber of CommerceWinner Base Up Contracting Ltd
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Tauranga Commercial Laundry and ApparelmasterPeople’s Choice – Sponsored by NZMEWinner Girls Get OffCorporate Leadership – Sponsored by The University of WaikatoWinner Trevelayn’sTauranga Business of the YearWinner LawVu Limited
Finalist Barrett Homes Ltd
Finalist Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust