Judges say this year’s field was the strongest yet. Fitting, given how many small businesses have simply made it through to enter.
The finalists for The David Awards 2026 have been announced, capping a year in which entries jumped nearly 40 percent on 2025 and close to 50 percent on 2024. A surge Awards Founder Heather Douglas puts down directly to the pressure small businesses have been under.
“The last few years have been extremely challenging for small businesses, it feels like many deserve awards just for still being around,” Douglas says.
“Against this background, the fact entries are a whopping 40 percent up from last year drives home the benefit and success of NZBusiness‘s stewardship of The David Awards.”
Launched in 2008 and backed by Voyager, The David Awards recognise small businesses across New Zealand that punch above their weight.
This year’s judging panel made up of Richard O’Brien, Glenn Baker, Diane Hurford, Glen Sharkey, Shira Ghyoot, Yem Braid, Pam Martin and Dave Rouse, includes two of the past two years’ successful Davids, with judges saying the calibre of entries was notably high.
The David Awards 2026 finalists:
Most Outstanding Fledgling Business
- Clean Break (Nelson)
- Fundsorter (Pukerua Bay)
- Goover Ltd (Nelson)
- Neck’s Best Thing (Rangiora)
Most Outstanding Established Business
- Agents of Architecture (Auckland)
- Dimple Digital (Cambridge)
- Esolar – Solar Electric Technology Ltd (Tasman)
- Flow Marketing NZ Ltd (Auckland)
- Prudential Accounting & Taxation (Papakura)
Most Innovative Business
- Clean Break (Nelson)
- Esolar – Solar Electric Technology Ltd (Tasman)
- Goover Ltd (Nelson)
- Weka Legal & Real Estate Limited (Queenstown)
Most Inspired Use of Marketing
- & Breathe First Aid (Auckland)
- Clean Break (Nelson)
- Neck’s Best Thing (Rangiora)
- Pete’s Natural Sodas (Motueka)
Charlotte Young is Co-founder of &breathe.
Most Outstanding Social Impact
- & Breathe First Aid (Auckland)
- Fundsorter (Pukerua Bay)
- Haloguard Limited (Christchurch)
- Prodigi (Invercargill)
- Study Nook (Tauranga)
Solo Meo Award
- Double Undies (Auckland)
- Grahn Creative (Whakatane)
- KiwiBoss Limited (Christchurch)
- Sherrelle Smith Consulting + Contracting (Auckland)
Voting for the People’s Choice Award closes September 25 at 5pm.
Winners will be announced October 8, with further details of the Winners’ Announcement event to follow.
