The Horowhenua business community had plenty to celebrate at the Business Kāpiti Horowhenua Electra Business & Innovation Awards, with local businesses recognised for their achievements and the contribution they make to the district.
Held at the Horowhenua Events Centre in Levin, the awards that have been taking place over three decades, brought together businesses, supporters and community leaders from across Kāpiti and Horowhenua for an evening celebrating business excellence, innovation and community spirit.
Udderly Organic was a standout, taking home five awards: Electra Business of the Year; Manufacturing, Production and Processing; Customer Experience – Horowhenua; New/Emerging; and Environmental Sustainability. Its success highlighted the quality and ambition of businesses operating in Horowhenua and was a proud moment for the district’s food and beverage sector.
Shannon Four Square received the special Judges’ Award – Heart of the Community, recognising its contribution to the community it serves. Created at the judges’ discretion, this award is only presented when they believe a business is worthy of special acknowledgement, making it a particularly meaningful recognition for the team.
Other local successes included Nation Beauty, which won the Consumer Services Award, and Premium Garage Doors, which took home the Construction and Trades Award and the Innovation Award.
Doug Rowan was also announced as the 2026 Horowhenua Business Hall of Fame Laureate, recognising an outstanding career devoted to leadership and service. The honour celebrates his lasting contribution to business and the meaningful difference he has made in the wider community.
Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden says the evening highlighted the people, hard work and community connections behind local business success.
“Our businesses contribute so much to Horowhenua. They create jobs, support local causes and help make our towns places where people feel connected. Udderly Organic’s outstanding success and Shannon Four Square’s Heart of the Community Award reflect the different ways our businesses make a difference.
“It was a pleasure to celebrate on home turf and welcome our Kāpiti neighbours to Levin. Our districts share strong connections, and these awards are a wonderful opportunity to come together, recognise achievement and celebrate the people behind our business community.”
The shared Kāpiti–Horowhenua awards provide an opportunity for businesses across both districts to connect, learn from one another and gain recognition for their work. Hosting this year’s celebration in Levin brought that wider business community together in Horowhenua.
Across the evening, the achievements of winners and finalists showcased the diversity of local enterprise, from food producers and trades to retailers and service businesses. The awards also recognised the commitment involved in building a business, developing a team and consistently delivering for customers.
“I also want to acknowledge Business Kāpiti Horowhenua, the volunteer-run community not-for-profit organisation behind these special awards. Their work ensures our community’s voice remains at the heart of the awards programme.”
Horowhenua District Council as a sponsor congratulates all winners, finalists and entrants, and acknowledges the organisers, judges and other sponsors who made the evening possible.
This year’s winners include:
Electra Business of the Year: Sponsored by Electra
● Udderly Organic Ltd
Construction and Trades: Sponsored by Mills Albert Ltd
● Premium Garage Doors
Consumer Services: Sponsored by Zebunisso Alimova – Mike Pero Mortgages
● Nation Beauty
Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism: Sponsored by Kapinua
● The Custard Pie
Manufacturing, Production and Processing: Sponsored by MTF Kāpiti
● Udderly Organic Ltd
Not for Profit, Community and Public Services: Sponsored by LT McGuinness
● Ōtaki Women’s Community Club (OWCC)
Professional and Business Services, or Technology: Sponsored by Graphic Press & Packaging
● Pou Architecture
Retail: Sponsored by New World Levin
● We Love Local
Customer Experience – Horowhenua: Sponsored by The Horowhenua Company
● Udderly Organic Ltd
Customer Experience – Kāpiti: Sponsored by Spark Business Hub Kāpiti
● We Love Local
New/Emerging: Sponsored by Kāpiti Business Chamber
● Udderly Organic Ltd
Small Business: Sponsored by NZME
● Pou Architecture
Environmental Sustainability: Sponsored by ANZ Bank New Zealand
● Udderly Organic Ltd
Innovation: Sponsored by Elite Diagnostics
● Premium Garage Doors
Judges’ Award – Heart of the Community
● Four Square Shannon
Hall of Fame Horowhenua – Sponsored by Horowhenua District Council
● Doug Rowan
Hall of Fame Kāpiti – Sponsored by Kāpiti Coast District Council
● Mark Brosnahan
“Putting your business forward for an award takes courage,” said Heather Hutchings, Lead Judge of EBIA. “It means opening the doors, sharing your story, and allowing others to look closely at what you’ve built, and that in itself deserves recognition.”
About the Awards
The Awards recognise businesses based in the Kāpiti Coast and Horowhenua districts. Running continuously since 1993, the awards celebrate innovation, sustainability and best business practice across all industries and sectors in our regions. Business Kāpiti Horowhenua (BKH), a volunteer-run, not-for-profit body, organises the Electra Business & Innovation Awards.