Mount Maunganui's Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers have taken out the Tourism & Hospitality Award 2016 at the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards.

It's the latest in a long list of accolades presented to the Mount business by industry organisations and consumer voting panels both in New Zealand Australia over the past three years.

Co-owners Sarah Meadows and Matt Young say this latest award has given them the extra confidence they needed to maintain their growth path.

'It's great to be acknowledged for not just our hard work but our wonderful staff as well over the years, we couldn't have done it without our fantastic teams at both hostels,” says Sarah.

In recent years Pacific Coast Lodge won the TNT Golden Backpacker Award for best accommodation in New Zealand in 2014, and the Trip Advisor's Certificate in Excellence in 2015.

Sarah and Matt purchased the business four years ago to complement their other business, Harbourside City Backpackers, and the couple have worked hard to build both into leading accommodation and tourism businesses for the Bay of Plenty region.

The awards judges noted Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers stood out from the other finalists by demonstrating a level of excellence across all areas.

'Sarah Meadows and Matt Young operate a successful business model based on a deep understanding of, and delivery to, their two diverse customer groups: backpackers and school/sporting groups.”

Matt believes this award shows they now have their formula right.

'We've got great staff who understand how the business works, and we've got a great culture not just in the hostel but within the team - everyone is aligned together.”

WESTPAC TAURANGA BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

Retail Excellence – Small Business: Sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors

• Winner: Furnish
• Finalist: Waihi Beach Chemist

Retail Excellence – Large Business: Sponsored by Gartshore Retail Interiors

• Winner: YOU Travel
• Finalist: Z Retail Outlets
• Finalist: Modern Office & Office Furniture Warehouse

Manufacturing &/or Logistics Award: Sponsored by Cooney Lees Morgan

• Modern Office & Office Furniture Warehouse

Tourism & Hospitality Award: Sponsored by Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Winner: Pacific Coast Lodge & Backpackers
• Finalist: 850 Cameron Motel
• Finalist: The Phoenix
• Finalist: Waimareno
• Finalist: Little Big Events

Service Excellence Award: Sponsored by YOU Travel

• Winner: Nurtured at Home
• Finalist: The Relocatable House Company
• Finalist: Modern Office & Office Furniture Warehouse

Social Enterprise Award: Sponsored by Bay of Connections

• Winner: EmployNZ
• Finalist: Waipuna Hospice

Customer Service Award: Sponsored by Trustpower

• Winner: Fresh One
• Finalist: YOU Travel
• Finalist: EmployNZ
• Finalist: AJC Distribution
• Finalist: Waipuna Hospice

Workplace Safety Award: Sponsored by ACC

• Winner: Z Retail Outlets
• Finalist: Waipuna Hospice

Digital Innovation Award: Sponsored by Vodafone

• Winner: Waipuna Hospice

Business Innovation Award: Sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients

• Winner: Modern Office & Office Furniture Warehouse
• Finalist: EmployNZ
• Finalist: Waimarino
• Finalist: Waipuna Hospice

Business Leadership Award: Sponsored by Powerco

• Winner: Tom Roper

Corporate Leadership Award: Sponsored by Waikato Management School

• Winner: Sanford

Westpac Tauranga Business of the Year:

• Winner: EmployNZ
• Finalist: Modern Office & Office Furniture Warehouse
• Finalist: Nurtured at Home
• Finalist: YOU Travel
• Finalist: Z Retail Outlets