After entering “on a whim”, Nelson Vets walked away with the region’s highest honour at Friday night’s 36th Nelson Pine Industries Business Awards.
Director Brendan Hickman says the team had no expectation of taking out the Supreme Award.
“It was completely unexpected… but a really nice feeling after all of our hard work.”
The veterinary practice, which also won the CNX Medium Business Award, employs 38 staff across its Victory and Stoke clinics.
Having first entered the awards last year as somewhat of a learning exercise, they decided to give it another go in 2026.
“We entered on a whim,” Brendan says. “And we got a lot out of it – regardless of prizes.”
Brendan says a key shift this year was getting better at telling their story, articulating not just what they do, but why they do it.
“We are here to serve our community and do a great job by our community,” he says.
That story includes significant behind-the-scenes support of organisations such as the SPCA and Natureland.
“We sat down and actually worked out how much discount and pro-bono work we do, and it came to about $200,000 per year. We’re trying to do the right thing for the right people.”
He says the team were still reeling after collecting the Medium Business Award when they were announced as the supreme winners.
“We had hardly sat back down… the table was full of shocked faces.”
Judges described Nelson Vets’ entry as exceptional in a highly competitive category, praising the practice’s humane, customer-centred approach and commitment to cultivating a positive, inclusive workplace culture. They noted that investment, innovation and collaboration had positioned them as a world-class veterinary practice within the region.
Brendan says the recognition belongs to the whole team.
“Just the effort they put in… they go above and beyond.”
Family-owned yacht charter company, Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures, led by Martin and Jane-Maree Holmes, won the 2degrees Innovative Business Award on Friday night.
“It’s exciting… you put your name in the hat and don’t expect it,” Jane-Maree says. “To be recognised by our industry peers as being innovative is something to be proud of.”
Judges praised the courage and resilience behind the business’s ability “to turn uncertainty into momentum and reinvention”.
“As a seasonal tourism business, we have our challenges, but we have kept at it,” Jane-Maree says.
“It’s pure grit and determination and finding better ways to do things.”
“It’s good to have recognition for a job well done. It builds confidence and keeps us moving forward – and it’s all about the team, who all deliver a really good product,” Jane-Maree says.
Other winners at the awards, which are a highlight of the Nelson Tasman business calendar, were Nelson Airport, which claimed the Nelson Pine Industries Large Business Award, and Digital Diligence Ltd who picked up the Cuik Media Small Business Award.
The Business Studio Innovators Start Up Award was awarded to Clean Break, while the NBS Community Impact Award went to both Health Action Trust and the Ministry of Inspiration.
The Kiwibank Young Business Leader Award was jointly presented to Ella Sargent of Manawa Māori and Mason Fitzgerald of Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, while the 2degrees Innovative Business Award went to Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures.
The family-owned yacht charter company is headed by Martin and Jane-Maree Holmes.
“It’s exciting… you put your name in the hat and don’t expect it,” Jane-Maree says. “To be recognised by industry peers as being innovative is something to be proud of.”
Judges praised the courage and resilience behind the business’s ability to turn uncertainty into momentum and reinvention.
“As a seasonal tourism business, we have our challenges, but we have kept at it,” Jane-Maree says.
“It’s pure grit and determination and finding better ways to do things.”
