Livingstone’ scoop Waipa awards

Livingstone Building chief executive Kieran Nally, left, with Sean Horgan of Waipā Networks. Photo: Christine Cornege

Livingstone Building won the Waipā Business Awards supreme title last week picking up their gong at a sell-out event at Mystery Creek Events Centre.

The Riverside Adventures team, from left: Graeme Martin, Memorie Brooky, Ashton Neighbor, Sally Hastie, Makayla Odlum, Jessica Forkert Harriet Smith, Kelly Woodmass. Photo: Supplied

Judges said Livingstone Building, which started in Te Awamutu 78 years ago, was a high-performing, values-driven organisation that sets the standard for excellence in New Zealand business.

The company had embraced the concept of repurposing waste and grown into a construction powerhouse while staying true to their local heritage and community.

Its commitment to quality, innovation, and people was evident in every part of the business — from robust systems and multiple ISO accreditations to industry-leading staff recruitment, retention, and career progression.

Livingstone Building chief executive Kieran Nally said the recognition was a celebration of the people and partnerships that drives the company forward.

The Waipā Networks-sponsored awards celebrated a variety of businesses with more entries than in any previous awards since they started in 2012.

An independent judging panel of experienced industry professionals led by head Judge Howard Davey from the University of Waikato Management School and field judge Steve Tritt, of the Bretton Group.

Cambridge Business Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid said the awards enabled the chamber to showcase Waipā’s progressive businesses, spotlight hidden gems and recognise talent and business acumen.

“We are in a privileged position to peek into businesses of all ages and stages and see the calibre of leadership, innovation, culture and sustainability. We have seen resilience and robustness within our business community, and we are inspired and proud of the achievements we have seen,” she said.

The Riverside Adventures team, from left: Graeme Martin, Memorie Brooky, Ashton Neighbor, Sally Hastie, Makayla Odlum, Jessica Forkert Harriet Smith, Kelly Woodmass. Photo: Supplied

Supreme Award: Livingstone Building.

Excellence in Business – Large: Livingstone Building, Medium: Higgs Building, Small: The Chiro Lab, New/Emerging: Ross & Co Hair Design.

Leader of the Year: David Hall (Cambridge Resthaven).

Judges Award: Ignite Arts Academy, Employee of the Year: Christie McGregor (Complete Gas Services), Customer Choice: Fresh Choice (Te Awamutu), Community Contribution: Te Awamutu Food Forest, Innovation and Technology: MyThingz, Digital Strategy and E-Commerce: Livingstone Building, Waste Minimisation – Environmental: Livingstone Building, Contribution to Tourism and/or Hospitality: Riverside Adventures, People and Culture: Riverside Adventures and Ross & Co Hair Design, Marking and Communications: RedKitchen, International Business: Shoof International.

Livingstone Building chief executive Kieran Nally, left, with Sean Horgan of Waipā Networks. Photo: Christine Cornege

More Recent News

Rifleman’s Le Quesnoy legacy

Three of the Kean boys from Southland served in Europe during World War One but only two came home. Private Denis Kean fought in Gallipoli and then, in 1916, was wounded at Ypres on the…

A visit to Le Quesnoy

Steve Tritt spent some time working at Waipā  District Council . Because of his family connection through Peter and working at council, Steve and his wife travelled to Cambridge’s sister city Le Quesnoy in 2018…

Hannah – from ducks to dux

Hannah Goodwin was named dux of Cambridge High School at senior prizegiving last Thursday evening, just moments after her long-time friend Emily Drake received the runner-up award, proxime accessit. Hannah, 18, said winning the school’s…

Hornet nest fears raised

Leading Waikato beekeeper Sarah Cross is angry with the Government’s response to the arrival of yellow-legged hornets in New Zealand. Biosecurity New Zealand has found five yellow-legged hornets, including three queens, in the Auckland suburb…