Four Bay of Plenty companies have been nominated a massive 13 times across nine award categories in this year's New Zealand Innovation Awards.

The recently announced finalists include Zespri, Robotics Plus, Heilala Vanila and Bluelab Corporation.

Leading the pack is Zespri with its new SunGold kiwifruit being nominated in five different categories, including Exporter of the Year.

Following close behind is Robotics Plus which has four nominations, including director and design engineer Alistair Scarfe making the shortlist for the Young New Zealand Innovator of the Year award.

In addition, organic vanilla products manufacturer, Heilala Vanilla, and electronic metering and control equipment producer, Bluelab Corporation, have made the list of finalists in two award categories.

It's great to see local businesses recognised across so many categories in this year's awards, says Priority One chair Brett Hewlett.

'Over the last few years we have seen a significant increase in entrepreneurial activity in the Bay of Plenty, and we have a lot to be proud of.

'This is putting the region on the map nationally and internationally as a place where innovation is happening, which in turn means that other entrepreneurial businesses also want to be based here.”

Priority One's Executive Board is congratulating all of the Bay businesses named as finalists in the awards, says Brett.

'We wish them the best of luck for the awards night, which will be celebrated with a gala dinner on Thursday 20 October at the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland.”

Priority One is the economic development agency covering Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. Its key focus is on building the sub-region's competitive advantages in the attraction and retention of high value businesses and the talented workforce those businesses need.