The 2016 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards is about to kick-off, with a launch event at Maketu aimed at entertaining and informing people interested in entering one of the categories.

Regional Managers Natasha and Brett Grindrod say entries in the region's Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year contests will be received from October 20.

Natasha and Brett Grindrod, winners of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmers Award, are encouraging farmers to enter this year's competition. Photo: Supplied.

'We've created an authentic Bay of Plenty theme for our launch event, mixing surf and turf,” says Natasha.

'There's no better place in the Bay to enjoy a Maketu Pie than at the Maketu Surf Lifesaving Club.”

She says attendees can also enjoy an ice cream and refreshments while hearing from past entrants and winners about their experiences of participating in the awards programme.

'There have been some quite significant changes to the entry criteria in the competitions this year, to make the competitions fairer, so our launch event also provides an opportunity for people to understand what those changes mean for them and which contest they are eligible to enter.

'It will be a chance to chat and ask questions with no obligation. There is a competition to suit everyone in 2016 with more fantastic prizes on offer.”

Just entering the awards can deliver reward, with three early bird entry prizes of travel vouchers and spending money – one prize for each contest. The Bay of Plenty region also has its own entry prizes.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra Farm Source, Honda Motorcycles, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown along with industry partner Primary ITO.

All entries are accepted online at: www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and will close on November 30.

2016 Bay of Plenty Dairy Industry Awards launch details:

Date: October 20

Time: 7pm

Place: Maketu Surf Lifesaving Club, Beach Road, Maketu

Cost: FREE

Tel: Natasha Grindrod: 021 138 3097