Ten of the country’s top businesses will receive awards designed by Raglan artist Tai Meuli on Budget night, May 20.

The Vero Excellence in Business Support Award sculptures were commissioned by Sarah Trotman, Managing Director of Bizzone, organisers of the awards. Sarah, who owns land in Raglan and is a regular visitor to the town, is extremely proud of this year’s award designs. 

“Tai created an amazing design for the supreme winner of the Vero Excellence in Business Support Award last year. We were so impressed we invited him to design all of our awards for 2010.”

The Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards, now in their sixth year, recognise excellence in the field of business support. Established by Bizzone, they are supported by foundation sponsor Vero, BDO and Management magazine. Previous supreme award winners include MYOB, The Ministry of Economic Development and The National Bank.

The Vero Supreme Award created from Carrara marble, will be presented to the winner at a gala dinner in Auckland attended by the Prime Minister Hon John Key and 500 top business people. Each of the ten Vero Excellence in Business Support Award winners will receive an award created by Tai from 50-year-old totara set on a granite base. 

“Tai came up with so many concepts it was difficult to choose just one, but we were thrilled with the results and I know our award winners will be very proud to display them,” Trotman says.

Since being chosen to create the awards for the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards and for the V8 Supercars series Tai says award work has been brisk but he couldn’t do it without his great team of Raglan locals, Gene Pospisit and Glen Peihopa.

“Creating the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards means working within a brief yet keeping your artistic integrity,” Tai says.

“Every day is different, presenting  a new challenge. Balancing creativity with daily responsibilities and deadlines mean I have to create by a certain date but it’s just great to have the freedom to create and do what you love.”

At the awards ceremony singer Timua Brennan and a Maori kapa haka group will be on stage for another stand-out performance – their fourth appearance at the awards.

“We always enjoy supporting New Zealand artists,” Trotman says.

“Being creative and in business presents its own set of challenges. Often people who are self employed can feel isolated and that they do not have the right business skills to grow their business. That was one of the main reasons the Bizzone Business Expo was established – so people like Tai can take time out and get excellent advice and business support from people who will help them move their business forward. Also The National Bank Seminar series has 40 expert speakers at the expo giving practical advice that will help every business owner.”