Comvita chief executive Brett Hewlett is the toast of the Bay of Plenty business sector after being named ‘KPMG Outstanding International Business Leader' overnight.

The chief executive received the accolade at last night's 2013 New Zealand International Business Awards celebrating the passion, vision and new approaches New Zealand businesses are taking to achieve international success.

Comvita chief executive Brett Hewlett has been named KPMG Outstanding International Business Leader.

On awarding the title, the judges said they admire Brett's commitment to Comvita's founding values and giving back to other businesses.

'Brett's willingness to share is matched by his very inclusive style of leadership. Working in partnership, he is a leader in collective discussions. He holds Comvita's founding values in great reverence whilst also giving a lot back to other businesses,” say the judges.

Brett has been chief executive of the Paengaroa-based global natural health and beauty products company since 2005. Before that he spent 15 years working for world-leading food packaging company Tetra Pak within the eastern Mediterranean and Saudi Arabia.

Brett is also a current member of the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Better by Design Advisory Board and an independent director of US-based Derma Sciences Incorporated.

'I took it as a huge responsibility to step in as CEO of a company with such a rich heritage and strong and effective culture,” says Brett.

'There were, however, some things that needed to change if we were to continue to be successful and to grow to meet the founders' vision. I had to build my credibility as a leader by acknowledging the huge achievements of the past and the desire to preserve the values and culture of the organisation that had passed into my guardianship.”

Brett's approach is to build on, not over, Comvita's existing values along with embracing the challenge of growing it from a small founder-led company into an international business.

'Selecting the right markets requires an understanding of the business environments of each country under consideration, and you can't develop this insight from sitting in New Zealand.”

Agri-tech company Tru-Test Group were crowned the Supreme Award in a closely fought category with judges awarding a Special Commendation to Christchurch company ARANZ Geo - the first time in the history of the Awards such a gesture has been made.

Tru-Test, who also took out the ‘ANZ Best Business Operating Internationally – Over $50million category, is a leading manufacturer of livestock scales, electronic identification products and milk metering equipment.

It has a global network spanning the agricultural and security sectors in more than 100 countries. In the last three years, the company has released 20 new products specifically aimed at expanding its position in overseas markets.

Judges describe Tru-Test as a leading example of New Zealand's agri-tech industry displaying a high degree of innovation and deep understanding of customers and channels, while ensuring its brand is represented and positioned correctly across different countries.

'Its broad and diverse geographic presence and strategic outlook, together with its active and ongoing merger and acquisition activities, are equally valuable assets,” say the judges.

The New Zealand Merino Company chief executive John Brakenridge was named ‘KPMG Leader: Outstanding Contribution to International Business', adding to the ‘Outstanding International Business Leader' accolade he picked up in the 2010 New Zealand International Business Awards.

Judges commend John for being resolute in his vision to move New Zealand merino out of the commodity basket and up the value chain.

2013 New Zealand International Business Award Winners

JUDGES' SUPREME AWARD WINNER

Tru-Test Group

SPECIAL COMMENDATION

ARANZ Geo Ltd

ANZ GENERAL CATEGORY WINNERS

ANZ Best Business Operating Internationally

Under $10million: ARANZ Geo Ltd

$10m-$50million: Gentrack

Over $50million: Tru-Test Group

SPECIAL CATEGORY WINNERS

Callaghan Innovation International Success through the Application of Innovation

Buckley Systems Ltd