Source: Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA)
Flicket, a provider of digital ticketing, booking and visitor management software, has won the ASB Bay of Plenty Exporter of the Year Award at a gala event this evening held at the Mercury Baypark Arena in Mount Maunganui.
Bay of Plenty software powering visitor experiences worldwide
Flicket has built a growing international presence by providing digital ticketing, booking and visitor management software for attractions, events and tourism operators around the world. The company has carved out a distinctive position in a highly competitive global industry through a technology platform backed by a strong customer partnership model and a disciplined approach to international expansion.
Judges praised Flicket’s ability to identify specialised international market opportunities and successfully scale into overseas markets, particularly in the USA, Australia and the UK, while remaining focused on delivering value for customers and executing its long-term vision.
Innovation helping shape the future of global food production
Taura Natural Food Ingredients, a producer of high-quality fruit-based ingredients and inclusions for leading global food brands, won the Excellence in Innovation Award.
The company was recognised for embedding innovation into its business model and developing products that anticipate future consumer demand. Judges highlighted Taura’s advanced technical capability, particularly its ability to preserve flavour and nutritional value through complex manufacturing processes, while responding to global demand for enhanced nutrition and protein-rich products.
Turning waste into valuable products for global markets
The Emerging Exporter Award was won by Cetogenix, a biotechnology company developing advanced bio-based materials and processing technologies for global industrial applications.
Cetogenix is developing technology that transforms organic waste streams into valuable products, including renewable natural gas, renewable chemicals and biomaterials. Judges recognised the company’s ambition, innovation and potential to help create a more circular economy while addressing a major global challenge.
Recognising those who drive export success behind the scenes
There were two joint winners of the Unsung Export Hero – Outstanding Individual Contribution Award, which recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to the export success of a business. The award was presented to Hadyn Natusch and Mark Swetman of Oasis Engineering.
Having started their careers together as apprentices, the pair have played a critical role in Oasis Engineering’s growth, helping turn research and development concepts into commercially successful products through their technical expertise, problem-solving ability and longstanding commitment to the business.
Long-serving export advocate honoured
The Services to Exporting Award was presented to David Cotter, Customer Manager at NZTE, in recognition of his longstanding contribution to helping Bay of Plenty businesses succeed in international markets.
Through decades of experience across international markets, manufacturing, technology and export development, Cotter has become one of the region’s most respected export advocates, supporting businesses of all sizes to pursue growth opportunities and navigate increasingly complex global trading conditions.
Celebrating the Bay of Plenty exporting community
The awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of Bay of Plenty businesses and individuals who export goods and services to markets around the world.
Organised by the local Bay of Plenty Export Advisory Board, EMA and ExportNZ, in partnership with NZTE, the awards are proudly backed by principal sponsor ASB, together with Port of Tauranga, Zespri, Page Macrae, Sharp Tudhope and Trimax.
According to EMA’s Head of Export & Membership, Simon Devoy, “Exporting is an integral part of the Bay of Plenty business community, so we’re delighted these awards showcase the inspiring businesses and individuals from the region who are succeeding in offshore markets. Well done to all the winners!
“The awards are more than just recognition – they’re a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the network of export-focused companies that drive the region’s economic success.”
Chair of the ExportNZ BoP Executive Committee Warwick Downing says, “This year’s winners exemplify the innovation, resilience, and global ambition that define the Bay of Plenty’s export community.
“Their success is a testament to the region’s ability to compete, and thrive, on the world stage.”
Head of Trade Finance at ASB Bank Mike Atkins says, “We congratulate all the winners – they are true export champions of the Bay of Plenty region.
“At ASB we are passionate about enabling exporters to scale up, be it through working capital and debt capital funding or other advisory initiatives across productivity, sustainability, food and fibre. Our partnership with ExportNZ in celebrating these awards underscores that commitment.”
Executive Director of ExportNZ Josh Tan says, “ExportNZ is delighted to help showcase these incredible export stories. Behind every successful exporter are years of innovation, perseverance, and ambition.”
“These businesses are taking Bay of Plenty excellence to the rest of the world and helping to build New Zealand’s reputation for high-quality products, services, and technology. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists on their outstanding achievements.”
Complete list of winners and full judges’ citations
ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards
1. Exporter of the Year – in partnership with Sharp Tudhope
Winner: Flicket – a provider of digital ticketing, booking, and visitor management software for attractions, events, and tourism operators worldwide.
Highly Commended: Pure Mama
– This award recognises the outstanding success of a business that is established in its international growth journey, with more than five years of international operations and total annual revenue above $5 million.
Judges’ citation: The judges were highly impressed by Flicket’s vision, commitment and execution in building a disruptive export business in a highly competitive global industry.
Rather than replicating existing ticketing models, Flicket has developed a distinctive approach that combines technology with a strong customer partnership model. The judges noted the company’s ability to identify targeted international niches and build momentum in highly specialised but significant markets.
Flicket has shown particular strength in the United States, where it has secured opportunities in sports and event categories that are major overseas markets. The judges were also impressed by the company’s disciplined approach of proving its offering locally before expanding internationally.
What stood out most was Flicket’s focus – its understanding of where it can compete, the value it can deliver for customers, and the talent required to achieve its vision. For the judges, Flicket is a standout example of a New Zealand business using innovation, strategy and execution to succeed on the world stage.
2. Excellence in Innovation – in partnership with Port of Tauranga
Winner: Taura Natural Food Ingredients – a producer of high-quality fruit-based ingredients and inclusions for leading global food brands.
Highly Commended: Flicket
– This Award recognises success in the commercialisation of innovation in international markets, incorporating intellectual property, strategy, processes and monitoring
Judges’ citation: The judges were impressed by the way Taura Natural Food Ingredients has made innovation a core part of its business model.
Its approach is disciplined, long-term and commercially focused, with the company investing in product development that anticipates future consumer needs.
The judges noted its strong technical capability, particularly in maintaining flavour and nutritional profiles through complex production processes, and its focus on global demand for enhanced nutrition and protein-rich products.
Taura Natural Food Ingredients stood out as a business using innovation with purpose, precision and clear international relevance.
3. Emerging Exporter – in partnership with Trimax
Winner: Cetogenix – a biotechnology company developing advanced bio-based materials and processing technologies for global industrial applications.
– This Award recognises a successful business in the early stage of its international growth journey, with up to 5 years of international operations and total annual revenue under $5 million.
Judges’ citation: The judges selected Cetogenix for the scale of its ambition and the potential global impact of its technology.
The company is developing ways to transform organic waste streams into valuable outputs such as renewable natural gas, renewable chemicals and biomaterials. In doing so, it is helping create a more circular system that reduces waste and captures value.
The judges saw Cetogenix as an emerging exporter with significant international potential – a purposeful, innovative business working to solve a major global challenge.
4. Unsung Export Hero – Outstanding Individual Contribution – in partnership with Zespri
Joint Winners: Hadyn Natusch & Mark Swetman of Oasis Engineering.
– This award recognises an individual or individuals who have made a substantial material contribution to the export success of a business.
Judges’ citations: The judges selected Hadyn Natusch and Mark Swetman in recognition of their longstanding contribution to the growth and success of Oasis Engineering and the important role they have played behind the scenes in the company’s export journey.
Having started their careers together as apprentices, Hadyn and Mark have become instrumental members of the Oasis Engineering team.
The judges were impressed by their commitment, technical expertise and ability to solve complex problems, while helping transform research and development concepts into products that work in real-world applications.
Often working behind the scenes, they have consistently supported customers, overcome technical challenges and contributed to the development of innovative solutions that have helped fuel the company’s growth. The judges described them as two halves of a whole – a partnership built on trust, skill and a shared commitment to excellence.
For their dedication, ingenuity and sustained contribution to the export success of Oasis Engineering, the judges are proud to recognise Hadyn Natusch and Mark Swetman as the recipients of the Unsung Export Hero Award.
5. Services to Exporting – in partnership with Page Macrae
Winner: David Cotter, Customer Manager, NZTE
– This Award recognises an individual or business, who may or may not be directly involved with exporting, but has made a significant contribution to exporting success in the Bay of Plenty.
Judges’ citation: The recipient of the 2026 Services to Exporting Award has spent decades helping New Zealand businesses succeed on the world stage.
Through a career spanning international markets, manufacturing, technology and export development, David Cotter has become one of the Bay of Plenty’s most trusted and respected champions of exporting.
Since joining New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in 2013 and relocating to the Bay of Plenty, David has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support exporters across the region. He has been a particularly strong advocate for businesses in the manufacturing, engineering, timber and wood sectors, helping companies of all sizes navigate international opportunities, overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth in global markets.
David has played an important role in strengthening the wider Bay of Plenty export ecosystem, including Rotorua’s innovation and manufacturing communities, and has been actively involved with ExportNZ Bay of Plenty and numerous initiatives supporting exporters.
What sets David apart is his unwavering commitment to the businesses he serves. He has supported businesses through international growth opportunities, market disruption, capability challenges and increasingly complex global trading conditions, always bringing a calm, pragmatic and solutions-focused mindset.
Whether working with established manufacturers, emerging exporters or deep-tech innovators, David brings commercial insight, international experience and a genuine desire to help New Zealand businesses succeed.
Quietly, consistently and without seeking recognition, David has helped countless companies achieve their export ambitions, exemplifying the spirit of this award through his enduring contribution to exporting success in the region.
The judges are delighted to present the 2026 Services to Exporting Award to David Cotter.