Development West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards

Development West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards

Entry Form
Note: In this form, “business” includes organisations, charities, trusts, incorporated societies, and not-for-profits unless the context requires otherwise.

Before you begin
Please read the Entry Guidelines and Conditions before starting this form. The Guidelines follow the same section order as this form so you can keep them open beside you while you complete your entry.

For administrative help with the entry platform or clarification of the entry requirements, please contact the Event Manager, Alicia Mitchell, at info@leadinglight.org.nz. The Event Manager can explain the process and the information requested, but cannot influence the judging outcome.

It is fine to draft your answers in a separate Word document first and then copy them into the online form. Save regularly. If the platform allows, you may return later to continue your entry and update it until the closing date and time.

Key dates
- Entries open: Wednesday, 6 May 2026
- Entries close: 4pm Wednesday, 10 June 2026
- Finalists announced: Monday, 20 July 2026
- Awards event: Thursday, 24 September 2026
What makes a strong entry
Judges are looking for a clear and believable representation of your business. The strongest entries explain what the business is trying to achieve, how it operates, what it does well, and what outcomes show that in practice.

You do not need to prove excellence in every part of the form. It is more important to show good understanding, consistency, and strong performance in the areas that genuinely matter to your business.

Keep your writing simple and specific. Short, direct answers with a good example are usually stronger than long or highly technical responses.

Section 1 - Business Information

This section confirms who you are, how we can contact you, and whether you are eligible to enter. It also collects the short summary and media files used if you are shortlisted.
1.1. Legal name of business
1.2. Trading name (if different)
1.3. Contact person (please provide the person we should contact about this entry)

First NameLast Name
1.4. Position / Title in the business
1.5. Email address
example@example.com
1.6. Phone number

Area CodePhone Number
1.7. Physical address of the business

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Post Code
1.8. Postal address (if different)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
1.9. West Coast District(s) in which you operate
State the district or districts where your business is based and trading, for example Grey, Buller, Westland, or more than one district if relevant.
1.10. Business website / primary online presence
If you do not have a website, list your main social media page or write N/A.
1.11. NZBN (if applicable)
1.12. Type of business / legal structure
For example sole trader, partnership, company, trust, incorporated society, charitable trust, not-for-profit, franchise, or other.
1.13. Industry / sector
For example tourism, retail, trades, professional services, primary sector, manufacturing, health, education, hospitality, community services, or other.
1.14. How long has the business been operating?
1.15. Number of employees / FTEs for the majority of the last financial year
Please state approximate full-time equivalent staffing, for example 2 FTE, 5.5 FTE, or 22 FTE. If contractors are a significant part of the business, you may note that as context.
1.16. Business overview (150-250 words)
Briefly explain what your business does, who you serve, and what you are known for. Keep this simple and factual. A two-person mechanic workshop might describe its services, local customer base, and reputation for reliable turnaround. A 20-person office-based business might describe its services, clients, locations, and specialist strengths.
1.17. Public profile summary (Maximum 100 words)
This short summary may be used for publicity if you are shortlisted or named a finalist. Write in plain language for someone who does not know your business.
Upload one print-quality business logo

Please use clear file names, for example “Business Logo”, “Workshop Team Photo”, or “Front of Premises”.
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Upload two high-quality images that represent your business

Please use clear file names, for example “Business Logo”, “Workshop Team Photo”, or “Front of Premises”.
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Section 2 - Category Entry for Organisational Excellence

Choose one category and complete all parts of this section. Aim to keep your total response to around 1,000 words or 5,000 characters. You do not need to use maximum words available.
Select one category:
2.1. Business context and direction (150-200 words)
Tell us about your business, the environment you operate in, and what matters most to your success. Explain what you are trying to achieve and how you think about direction and priorities. A very small business might describe this in practical terms such as “keep loyal customers, maintain quality work, and grow steadily”. A larger business might refer to a formal plan, targets, or strategic priorities. Either is fine if it reflects how the business really works. Answer in a way that fits the size and nature of your business. A simple, well-run small business can be just as strong an entry as a larger, more formal organisation. If something is only a small part of your business, briefly explain what you do in that area rather than feeling you need to create extra detail.
2.2. How your business creates value for customers, clients, or the community (150-200 words)
Describe how you understand needs and deliver value. This could include service quality, reliability, relationships, responsiveness, product quality, trust, accessibility, or the way you tailor what you do. If you are a not-for-profit or community organisation, you may describe the value or outcomes you create for the people or communities you serve.
2.3. How you run the business effectively (150-200 words)
Explain the systems, routines, or practices that help the business operate well. This could include planning work, managing quality, budgeting, workflow, technology, compliance, communication, stock control, reporting, or decision-making. Focus on what actually helps the business run well in practice.
2.4. People, culture, health, safety and wellbeing (150–200 words)
Describe how you support a positive and safe work environment. If you have employees, tell us how you lead, communicate, develop capability, and look after wellbeing. If you are a very small business, you might instead talk about how you work safely, manage workload, keep standards high, and involve contractors or family members. You do not need a complex HR programme to answer this well.
2.5. Improvement, innovation and resilience (150–200 words)
Describe how you support a positive and safe work environment. If you have employees, tell us how you lead, communicate, develop capability, and look after wellbeing. If you are a very small business, you might instead talk about how you work safely, manage workload, keep standards high, and involve contractors or family members. You do not need a complex HR programme to answer this well.
2.6. Results and one example that brings your entry to life (200-250 words)
Summarise the outcomes that best show your business excellence. These could include growth, customer retention, productivity, quality, staff retention, safety outcomes, community impact, environmental improvements, or successful delivery of a project or change. Finish with one example, story, or situation that best shows your business at its best. Use specific outcomes where you can, but practical indicators or estimates are acceptable if exact data is not available.
Section 2 - Optional Supporting Information. Upload any supporting information relevant to this section.

Examples could include a business plan, strategic priorities, customer feedback, process documents, policies, certificates, marketing material, or a short project summary. Only upload what genuinely adds value; supporting documents are optional.
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Section 3 - Special Awards Entry
Tick any Special Awards you wish to enter. Complete only the award sections you select. You may enter more than one Special Award.
Use a case study or story structure for each selected award. Aim for up to 1,000 words or 5,000 characters per selected award. A strong response usually explains the situation, what you did, why it mattered, and what changed as a result.
3.1. Greymouth Star - Rising Star Award
Tell the story of your business as a newer entrant to the market. What opportunity or gap did you identify? What have you built, introduced, or achieved in a relatively short time? You might talk about demand, growth, customer response, reputation, innovation, or how you established yourselves in the market. If your business is very new, practical progress and clear traction can be just as important as large financial results.
3.2. MBD Contracting - People First Award
Describe the leadership, people practices, and workplace approach that make this an area of excellence for your business. You might cover recruitment, induction, development, communication, flexibility, wellbeing, health and safety, culture, retention, or how leaders set the tone. Small businesses can answer this through practical examples of how they support and lead their people. Larger businesses may include formal initiatives or measurable people outcomes.
3.3. Department of Conservation - Sustainability Award
Describe the product, service, initiative, practice, or change that best demonstrates your commitment to sustainability. This could relate to waste, energy, emissions, water, sourcing, transport, biodiversity, circular economy practices, education, or long-term business resilience. Keep the explanation practical and include the difference it has made.
Section 3 - Optional Supporting Information. Upload any supporting information relevant to the selected Special Award section(s).

Examples could include policies, project summaries, staff survey results, safety statistics, environmental data, photos, certifications, media coverage, or other evidence that supports your case study.
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Section 4 - Financial Information

This section helps confirm that your business is financially sound and gives judges context where financial performance is part of your story. Keep the commentary practical. Aim for around 500–1,000 words in total for this section if needed; shorter is fine if it clearly explains the position.
4.1 Financial and strategic results commentary (200–400 words)
Comments
Describe your financial and strategic results in general terms over the past two to three years. You may comment on productivity, innovation, market share, customer growth, profitability, resilience, progress against your goals, or any important context behind the figures. If your business is small, keep this practical and simple. If you are a not-for-profit, focus on financial sustainability, income, stability, funding diversity, or effective use of resources.
4.2 Revenue

Revenue is the total income your business generates in a financial year. If you were not trading in an earlier year, enter N/A or 0 as appropriate.

Rows	Amount
Latest Financial Year
2 years ago
3 years ago

4.3 Gross profit as a percentage of revenue

Gross profit is total revenue less the direct costs of providing your goods or services. If this is not a standard or meaningful measure for your business, state N/A and explain briefly if helpful.

Rows	Percentage
Latest Financial Year
2 years ago
3 years ago

4.4 Net profit

Net profit is the profit remaining after operating expenses and other costs have been paid. If you are a not-for-profit, enter NFP where appropriate and explain any helpful context in Question 4.1.

Rows	Amount
Latest Financial Year
2 years ago
3 years ago

Section 4: Supporting Documents

Latest annual accounts are preferred because they help verify solvency and provide context for the financial information supplied. Draft accounts are acceptable. If there are sensitive matters requiring explanation, you may attach a short note. Information is collected and held in strict confidence for the purposes set out in the Privacy Statement and Conditions of Entry.
Upload annual financial accounts for the latest balance date (draft financial statements will be accepted)

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Upload any other supporting financial information relevant to this section

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Section 5 - Entry Checklist and Acknowledgement

Please tick each statement to confirm your entry is complete and accurate.
By submitting this form, I acknowledge:
Name
Position
Privacy Statement

Information collected through this entry form, including financial information and supporting documents, is collected for the purpose of administering the West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards, confirming eligibility, verifying that an entrant is solvent, supporting assessment of any aspects of the application that relate to financial performance, and communicating with entrants about the Awards process.

Information will be held in strict confidence, accessed only by authorised award administration personnel and the judging panel on a need-to-know basis, and managed in accordance with the Conditions of Entry. Confidential information will not be used for any unrelated purpose without consent, unless required by law.
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Development West Coast Leading Light Business Excellence Awards

Section 1 - Business Information

Section 2 - Category Entry for Organisational Excellence

Section 3 - Special Awards Entry

Section 4 - Financial Information

Section 5 - Entry Checklist and Acknowledgement