Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa (AMA) is proud to announce the finalists for the first-ever Minister for Manufacturing Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership across New Zealand’s dynamic manufacturing sector.  It’s an honour to recognise the contributions our manufacturers are making to our economy, environment, and communities.

 

The new national awards programme recognises outstanding contributions across four key categories: Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, Excellence in Manufacturing Leadership, Manufacturer of the Year, and Excellence in Process Innovation.

 

The calibre of entries reflects the resilience and ingenuity at the heart of New Zealand’s manufacturing ecosystem.  These awards celebrate the people and companies who are not only excelling in their fields but also driving the future of manufacturing in New Zealand. 

 

2025 Minister for Manufacturing Awards Finalists:

 

EXCELLENCE IN PROCESS INNOVATION – supported by Swell

The finalists are:

• APL Manufacturing (APL Window Solutions | NZ's leading window and door solutions)
• Breadcraft Wairarapa Ltd  (Breadcraft)
• New Zealand Steel (Leading Manufacturer Of Quality Steel In New Zealand | New Zealand Steel)
• SEQUAL Lumber (Sequal Lumber | Radiata Pine Lumber New Zealand)

 

EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP – supported by Lawson Williams Consulting

The finalists are:

• Dmitrey Carruthers - Gisborne Engineering (Gisborne Engineering |)
• Jeff Vidanes - Temperzone (Climate Innovation - Home)
• Dr Karnika de Silva - NZ Product Accelerator (NZ Product Accelerator |)
• Nathan Hay - Argus ManuTech (Argus Manutech)

 

MANUFACTURING APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – supported by Enztec

The finalists are:

• Joshua Chugg – Page Macrae Engineering (Page Macrae - Engineering | Port Equipment | Production Manufacturing)
• Kate Cooper – Pact Group (Pact Group | Leading the Circular Economy)
• Lomialagi “Mia” Fa’Amausili – Blue Star Group (New Zealand) Ltd (Blue Star - Making Print and Communication Solutions Happen)
• Michael Vitale – Pacific Steel (Pacific Steel | Pacific Steel)

 

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – supported by BNZ

The finalists are:

• Douglas Pharmaceuticals (Home | Douglas Pharmaceuticals - A New Zealand Success Story)
• HamiltonJet (HamiltonJet | Waterjet Propulsion)
• Howick Ltd (Precision Steel Roll-forming Technology | Howick Ltd)
• Medsalv (Medsalv - Changing Healthcare For Good)

 

Awards Ceremony

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony hosted in Christchurch at SouthMACH on the evening of 28 May 2025, with industry leaders, government officials, and innovators in attendance.

 

For more information:  contact Catherine Lye - catherine@amanz.nz