Hamilton’s New Zealand Home Loans is the supreme winner of the Westpac Waikato Business Excellence Awards for 2013, announced at a black tie dinner at Claudelands Conference and Exhibition Centre on Friday night.

Founded in 1996, New Zealand Home Loans has grown strongly to become one of New Zealand’s largest home lenders, with 68 offices nationwide and $4 billion on its books. Its success comes on the back of two consecutive Deloitte Fast 50 Awards for businesses with the fastest percentage increase in revenue growth.

The company also won the Tomkins Wake Award for businesses in the 15 to 49 full-time equivalent staff category and chief executive Mark Collins was named Waikato Management School Leader of the Year.

The Chiefs rugby franchise received the WEL Networks Award for best Waikato business with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees and Coach Dave Rennie was runner-up in the leader category.

Hansa Chippers, based in Hamilton, was named winner of the Wintec Award for businesses in the 5 to 14 full-time equivalent employee category.

Mr Fencer Systems won the title of the Deloitte Award for businesses with fewer than five full-time equivalent employees.

Progress to Health won the Mystery Creek Event Centre Award for the not-for-profit sector. The company provides community-based activities and services enhancing mental and physical health.

Director of Business Development for Hamilton City’s Event Facilities, Murray Jeffrey says, “Winning an award is an important moment for these Waikato businesses and individuals who represent the heart and soul of our regional business community.”

“Claudelands is proud to have supported the Westpac Waikato Business Excellence Awards for the third consecutive year.  The venue is building strong repeat business, helping the Waikato to achieve the strongest events growth of any New Zealand region in the year to June 2013, as revealed by the latest Convention Activity Survey* released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment”, Jeffrey added.