Natural health products company Comvita Limited is a finalist in the 2010 New Zealand International Business Awards.
Developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) in partnership with the private sector, the awards recognise new approaches that businesses are taking to achieve international success.

Comvita is a finalist in the NZTE international business awards.

The awards involve 25 companies and five business leaders in nine categories and CEO Brett Hewlett says he is proud Comvita is a finalist after an intensive judging process.
Comvita is competing against four other finalists in the 'best business operating internationally over $50million' category with the winner to be announced at ceremony on October 13 in Auckland.
The New Zealand International Business Awards have been developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in partnership with the private sector and aim to celebrate New Zealand business success in the world by recognising professional excellence and innovative practice.
Brett says the 'internationalisation' of business is about local firms expanding to operate successfully around the world - supplying overseas businesses, exporting products and services, investing offshore in sales presences or joint ventures - which is what Comvita has been steadily developing since its beginnings in Claude Stratford's basement in 1974.
"Controlling our route to market and getting closer to our consumers has provided us with a distinct and ongoing business advantage," says Brett.
"Through our global offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and UK we can build in-market relationships. It can also allow us immediate distribution of new products and continuous real-time market feedback."
Reaching the finals is recognition for Comvita staff of the work they all put in, to make this a great company, says Hewlett.
These awards also recognise that New Zealand businesses operating internationally help grow our economy and improve living standards for all New Zealanders.