Northern Arena reigns supreme on the North Shore

North Auckland-based, Northern Arena was awarded the Supreme Business Excellence Award last week at the Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2016 – North. 

Going from strength to strength over the last five years, single swim school and fitness facility Northern Arena, has fulfilled a vital role in the community as an innovative centre for health and wellness.  At the same time, they are strongly business focused.  

“The cool thing is that we’re a solution-based company, so we seek some really ambitious goals. Things that even some of us are going, ‘Oh, geez, I don’t know,’ says Gym & Group Fitness Manager, Kelly Howarth.  “But, we’ve hit all of them, because we’re about figuring out how we’re going to do it.”

Earlier in the evening, Northern Arena had won Employer of the Year. “It’s all about challenging ourselves. Challenging what we think is the norm and then trying to beat what is best standard, or best practice in the industry. That’s our goal,” says Kelly.
“What we love at Northern Arena is we believe it’s an experience from the moment our customers walk in the door, all the way from reception through to the swim school, or the gym. We aim to know peoples’ names, know their family, and make them feel welcome and a part of our family.  It’s like we open the door to our facility and our home.  And, that’s what we absolutely pride ourselves in at Northern Arena.”

Auckland Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Barnett congratulates Northern Arena and all the Auckland North awards category winners who represent the diversity of Auckland’s economy in size, management style and commitment to business excellence. 

Winning businesses included Manawanui Incharge, a not-for-profit NGO providing individualised funding for people who have a disability, Max Marketing, and PBF.  Other winners were Provincial Childcare Holdings Limited, which is focused on providing high quality, affordable childcare for families, Safety Nets NZ Limited and Straker Translations.

“These Awards are all about celebrating the businesses in our community that are making a difference. These are the employers, producers and leaders for today and tomorrow – who make Auckland the thriving centre it is,” adds Michael Barnett. 

Westpac Auckland Business Awards 2016 – North Winners:

Best Emerging Business sponsored by Air New Zealand 
Provincial Childcare Holdings Limited 

Excellence in Customer Service Delivery sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson 
PBF 

Excellence in Innovation sponsored by Massey University 
Safety Nets NZ Limited 

Excellence in International Trade sponsored by Ports of Auckland
Straker Translations 

Excellence in Marketing sponsored by Benefitz
Max Marketing 

Excellence in Strategy and Planning sponsored by Business North Harbour 
Manawanui Incharge 

Employer of the Year sponsored by Blackcat Consulting Limited
Northern Arena 

Supreme Business Excellence sponsored by Westpac
Northern Arena

For a complete list of finalists and details of the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremonies please visit aucklandbusinessawards.co.nz.