Frequently Asked Questions

To be eligible for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, the business must be based in the Auckland 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.

To apply for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, you need to submit an entry for the category of your choice.

Enter now!

View our categories.

The deadline for submitting your application for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards is Sunday 5th July 2026.

The judges for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards are a panel of independent industry experts and business leaders. You can view the judges here.

The winners for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards are selected based on the scores assigned by the judging panel.

Yes you can! You can enter up to 3 categories, plus People’s Choice.

No, the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards are free to enter.

Any business of any size located in the Auckland Central area is eligible to enter the Central Auckland awards. The Auckland Central boundaries are:

  • Albert-Eden-Roskill Ward
  • Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward
  • Orakei Ward
  • Puketapapa Ward
  • Waitemata Ward

Any business of any size located in the North & West Auckland area is eligible to enter the North & West Auckland awards. The North & West boundaries are:

  • Albany Ward
  • North Shore Ward
  • Rodney Ward
  • Whau Ward
  • Waitakere Ward
  • Upper Harbour and Henderson-Massey Ward

Any business of any size located in the South & East Auckland area is eligible to enter the South & East Auckland awards. The South & East Auckland boundaries are:

  • Howick Ward
  • Manukau Ward
  • Manurewa-Papakura Ward
  • Franklin Ward

Yes, you can submit supporting documents or materials with your application. They can be submitted on the last page of your entry form on the online platform.

Yes, your entry for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards will be kept 100% confidential. All judges sign a confidentiality waiver, and will abstain from judging an entry if there is a conflict of interest.

All entries to the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards receive the judges feedback between August – November.

Winners of the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards are announced at the Regional Awards.

North & West – 2nd September
South & East – 8th September
Central – 17th September

Not every entrant is contacted by the judges. The judging is primarily based on the content of your entry. Judges may reach out if they need clarification or have specific questions, but this isn’t a standard part of the process for every entrant. Whether or not you are contacted does not determine your status as a finalist.

No, a judge’s visit does not necessarily mean you are a finalist, and not receiving a visit does not mean you are not a finalist. Judges’ visits can take place anytime from the close of entries up until the gala dinners. These visits are part of the evaluation process and are conducted for a variety of reasons, so please don’t be concerned if you don’t receive one. The finalist announcements will be made at the end of August.

Yes, the winners of the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards will receive a trophy and all finalists will receive a certificate.

Yes, each of the three regions have a cocktail evening to announce the winners and present the awards for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards.

Yes, you can, and we encourage you to! Feel free to share your participation in the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards on social media, email signatures, your website, etc.

Yes, you can use the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards logo on your website or marketing materials if you are a finalist or winner.

Yes, you should still consider entering the People’s Choice category if you have a small business, as it provides an opportunity to engage with your customers and gain exposure.

If you are unable to attend the Regional Awards for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards, you can arrange for someone else in your team to collect your award on your behalf on the evening.

NB: You must have a representative of your company at the Regional Awards for you to win (if you are a winner).

No, you do not have to be a 2degrees customer to enter the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards.

No, you do not have to be nominated by someone to enter the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards.

The nomination process is open to everyone, including employees, customers, stakeholders, and supporters of the business.

When submitting a nomination, you will need to provide basic information about the business, such as its name and contact details, as well as a brief explanation of why you think it deserves to win an award.

Yes, you can nominate your own business for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. However, you do not need to be nominated to enter!

No, there is not a deadline for submitting a nomination, however, we advise that you submit your nomination at least two weeks before entries close so that your nominated business has time to put their entry together.

You can nominate a business for the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards by completing the nomination form here.

There is one winner chosen in each category per region.

The time it takes to complete the application may vary depending on the category and the amount of information you need to provide. However, it is recommended to allocate at least an hours or two per question to complete the application, and then another 2-4 hours to review with your team, make amendments and submit. 

Yes, you can get help from a professional writer or consultant to assist you with your application.

It is recommended to provide financial statements in your application, as this helps demonstrate the financial health and stability of your business.  You can always provide explanations around your financials, investment into R&D, purchasing of a builder, increase in employee numbers.

It is essential to have a clear and concise application as judges may be reviewing numerous applications and want to quickly understand the key information about your business. For example, if you’re going to use acronyms, remember to spell them out at least once so that the judges have a clear understanding. 

Yes, you can still enter the award program if your business is not yet profitable. 

No, you can only enter the award program if your business is registered and based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Yes, you can still enter the award program if you have won awards in other competitions.

You can demonstrate the impact of your business on the community or industry by providing examples of community involvement, social responsibility initiatives, and how your business has positively impacted the industry.

Yes, small businesses can compete with larger companies in the award program, as each category is typically judged based on specific criteria that are applicable to businesses of all sizes.

Having a strong online presence is increasingly important for businesses, and it can help demonstrate your ability to effectively market and communicate your business to potential customers.

Having a unique story or selling point can help differentiate your business from others and make it more memorable to judges and potential customers.

To increase your chances of winning the award, it’s important to showcase your business’s unique qualities and achievements in a clear and concise manner. Highlight what sets your business apart from others in your industry, and provide specific examples of your successes and impact on your community. It’s also important to ensure that your application meets all of the eligibility and judging criteria for the award program.

Yes, you can reapply for the award program in future years as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

While sharing financials is not a requirement for the award program, it may be beneficial to do so as it can help demonstrate the financial success and stability of your business. If you choose not to share your financials, it may not necessarily disqualify you from the award program, but it could impact your chances of winning.

No, being a member of the Auckland Business Chamber is not a requirement to enter the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards. However, submitting an entry will provide you with a one-year complimentary membership of the Chamber, providing you with access to services and benefits making it easier for you to do business.