Apurv Shukla – 
The Eighth Annual BNZ-Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (INIBA) held on November 23, 2015 at the Sky City Convention Centre attracted a broad spectrum of people, including political and business leaders, professionals and others.
Among the Guests of Honour were Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Associate Trade Minister Todd McClay, Minister of Small Business Craig Floss, Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, Opposition Leader Andrew Little, Former UNIDO Advisor Jebamalai Vinanchiarachi, Indian High Commissioner Charge d’ Affaires Sandeep Sood, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, BNZ Managing Director & Chief Executive Anthony Healy, BNZ Director Mai Chen and KPMG Executive Chairman Ross Buckley.
Since its inception in 2008, our Awards Scheme have strived to be a credible platform where the best of businesses and professionals of Indian origin are recognised and honoured. This event is the culmination of an exercise which begins in March with an invitation for entries in various categories- there were 13 this year, in addition to the ‘Supreme Business of the Year.’ An independent and distinguished panel of judges evaluate the entries and declare the finalists and winners at the Awards Night.
Networking Opportunity
The evening began at 5 pm with cocktails, providing an opportunity for the guests to mix and mingle. The networking hour also provided our sponsors an occasion to showcase their goods and services and has helped over the years to forge new acquaintances, and commercial partnerships.
Michelle Pickles, popular Sports reporter and television presenter (TV3) was the Master of ceremonies.
Family Companies
The Awards covered different scales of businesses owned, operated, managed or franchised by people of Indian origin in New Zealand
Small & Medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy. Most of them are family-owned and operated, shining as an example of the importance that family plays in Indian culture. The Awards Night highlighted this facet by honouring successful companies with Business Excellence Awards in Small & Medium-Sized Businesses, the winners of which this year were respectively Global Import & Export and Global Financial Services.
Businesses in New Zealand rely a lot on word-of-mouth to achieve success. Businesses run by people of Indian origin fully realise this virtue, and emphasise on good customer services. Link 2 Group won the ‘Business Excellence in Customer Service’ category, and acknowledged this trait as a major factor in expanding its client base and getting repeat orders.
