The top business in the Hauraki-Coromandel will be showcased and celebrated with an awards ceremony for the first time ever this year.

The inaugural Hauraki-Coromandel Business Awards taking place in September are a joint effort between the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki District councils, and Coromandel's More FM.

Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel Mayors, John Tregidga and Sandra Goudie, are both excited about the prospect of the awards, and while there's still plenty of planning to do, they see the event as a great opportunity for both districts to work together.

'The districts have a combined tourism awards, so it is a no-brainer that business awards is added to the mix,” says a TCDC spokesperson.

'The awards are the first step to creating a business hub in both districts, providing start-ups and established business resources to help them grow.”

A working group has been established and is currently going through the process of developing the different award categories, as well as confirming the process of judging and awarding the winners in the categories.

The working group includes MediaWorks Coromandel general manager Kate Rigg, TCDC economic development programme manager Colleen Litchfield, HDC economic development officer Rebecca Jenks, and members of both council's communications teams.

Rounding out the working group are Destination Coromandel's Megan Nunn, 100% Thames's Mark Milmine, Z's Andrew McLean, Waikato Innovation Park's Peter Davey, and Positive Paeroa's Jo Tilsley.

PROPOSED TIMELINE

• May-June - Working group will visit Business After 5 (BA5) and Business Breakfast Groups to talk about the awards
• Early June - Categories and Criteria will be released
• Early June - Applications will be available for businesses to apply for the awards
• August - Applications are graded and visits to businesses will be undertaken.
• September - Finalists are announced
• September - People's Choice Voting opens
• September 28 - Awards Night (To be confirmed)

For regular updates on the Hauraki-Coromandel Business Awards page visit the @HaurakiCoromandelBusinessAwards Facebook page or check out the Thames-Coromandel District Council website at www.tcdc.govt.nz