About The Awards

The entry period for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards opens on April 15th, providing businesses in Auckland with the opportunity to reflect on their achievements as a business within the range of categories.

Creating an entry for the award is about more than just the business; it’s also about recognising the efforts of the team and the people who have been part of the business journey. Entries for the award are completed entirely online, providing convenience and flexibility for businesses during the entry process. Businesses can progress through the entry form, save it as a draft, and return to complete it at any time during the entry period. This flexibility allows businesses to take their time to reflect on their achievements, work as a team and present a strong case for consideration for the award.

Entries for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards will close at 4.00pm on July 8th, and will then be in the hands of the judges. This is an important stage in the process as the judges carefully review and evaluate each entry to determine the finalists for each category.

It’s a thorough process that takes time, but businesses can expect updates via email about when the finalists will be announced. During this time, judges may reach out to businesses for more information or clarification. However, not all businesses will be contacted by a judge. It’s important to note that not being contacted by a judge does not necessarily mean that a business is not a finalist, nor does being contacted by a judge mean that a business is a finalist. The judges are carefully considering all entries and we will announce the finalists online through a live finalist function in August.

The 2degrees Auckland Business Awards has a comprehensive judging process that takes place between the end of June and end of August. Not all businesses will receive a judge’s visit during this period, and whether or not a business is contacted by a judge does not necessarily indicate their finalist status.

Finalists will be announced online in August, after which the judges will continue their visits into September and October to ensure that all finalist by the time they reach the gala dinner has been visited by the judges. During this time the judges are determining which businesses named as finalists willbe the category winner.

It’s important to keep in mind that this information may not be specific to the category you have entered or may be in reference to a combination of categories. This is also an opportunity for the judges to see other elements of your business to determine if you win your category, could you be the 2degrees Supreme Business Excellence Award winner.

The announcement of finalists for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards takes place over three days at the end of August.  The announcement is made region by region, with the North & West region being announced first, followed by Central, and then South & East.

The announcement will be made during a live finalist function, which includes music by a resident DJ for guests to socialise with their teams. We suggest getting your teams together, gathering around a big screen, and enjoying each other’s company as you wait for the announcement of finalists. During the live finalist function, the top 6-7 finalists in each category will be announced in alphabetical order. You can tune in to the awards website or their Facebook page to watch the announcement on the following dates.

North and West – August 26th, Central – August 27th, South and East – August 28th

If your business is announced as a finalist for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, the team will be in touch with you and provide you with a range of information ahead of the gala dinner. This includes your finalist logo, details about the process for producing your finalist film, gala dinners and more.

The 2degrees Auckland Business Awards has a dedicated video team who will come out to film you and produce a 30-second finalist video that will be played during your category at your regional gala dinner. The reason for keeping the videos short is so that businesses can also use them on their social media channels after the event. This is a great way to promote your business and share your success with your customers and followers.

The moment of truth for the 2degrees Auckland Business Award arrives at the regional gala dinners, which are divided into three regions: North & West, Central, and South & East. These dinners are a must-attend event for any business that has made it to the finalist stage, as the winners of the award are announced during the evening. But the gala dinners are not just about finding out who has won; they are an opportunity to celebrate with like-minded business leaders who share a passion for excellence.

The events are a chance to network, learn from other businesses, and recognise the hard work and dedication of your team.  Thanks to the generous support of the sponsors, the tickets are affordable, and attendees can expect a fun and entertaining evening filled with exceptional cuisine, music, and inspiration.  If your business is lucky enough to be crowned a winner, at least one person from your team must attend the gala dinner to accept the award.  Even if you don’t win, attending the event is still a great way to celebrate your success and build a stronger business community.

So, put on your party clothes, and get ready to enjoy an evening of celebration, entertainment, and networking with other outstanding businesses.

North and West – October, Central – November, South and East – December

The judges for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards are passionate about helping businesses succeed, and that’s why they offer feedback to every business that enters. After the regional awards have concluded, judges will provide feedback to each entrant based on the information provided in their entry. This feedback can be incredibly valuable, as it may highlight areas where your business is excelling or suggest opportunities for improvement.

Sometimes, judges may see potential for your business in a different category and encourage you to enter that category the following year. The feedback is designed to be constructive, and the judges genuinely want to help your business succeed. While they may not know everything about your business, they are experts in their fields and can provide useful insights based on their experience.

It’s important to remember that the feedback is meant to be helpful, not critical. It’s an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on your business and potentially identify areas for growth. The judges volunteer their time because they want to see businesses in New Zealand succeed, and the feedback they provide is just one of the many ways they support the business community. So don’t be afraid to enter the 2degrees Business Awards and take advantage of the feedback provided by the judges.

The 2degrees Auckland Business Awards Best of the Best Gala dinner is the pinnacle of the awards program. It brings together the category winners who are the best of the best from each of the regions to celebrate the overall winners. The night is a glamorous and prestigious affair, with the top businesses in Auckland coming together to network, socialise, and celebrate their achievements.

The gala dinner features entertainment, 5-star cuisine, and an awards ceremony to reveal the overall winners. The highlight of the night is the announcement of the 2degrees Supreme Business Excellence Award winner, which recognides the business that has shown exceptional excellence across all areas of their operations.

The Best of the Best Gala dinner is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate your business’s success, network with other top businesses in Auckland, and be inspired by the success stories of others. It’s a night to dress up, enjoy the festivities, and celebrate the best of Auckland’s business community. The event is highly anticipated each year, and it’s an honor to be among the businesses that are invited to attend.