Hawke's Bay cider company, Zeffer is up to win $50,000 after it was named as one of six regional winners of the Westpac Business Growth Grants. The overall winner is set to be announced in Auckland on the 25th July. All regional winners will also attend a business retreat to Fiji in September, and will receive expert mentoring including legal, HR and accounting advice.
Since its inception ten years ago, Zeffer has grown to include a number of ciders that are marketed across both international and domestic markets. The judges praised their rapid growth over the last ten years whilst retaining a sustainable model.
“With a strategic focused approach on export markets, whilst nailing the “3P” - people, planet and profit - they are en route to making Zeffer a global brand,” the judges said.
Westpac NZ head of commercial and agribusiness, Mark Steed, said the Growth Grants are a way of celebrating and supporting up-and-coming businesses, regardless of their industry, location, or whether they’re a Westpac customer.
“Every year we’re blown away by the passion, ingenuity and work ethic of regional Kiwi enterprises,” said Steed. “When a business is growing in a sustainable manner, it contributes not just to the local community but to a better New Zealand as well”.
The six regional finalists across New Zealand are:
- Dive! Tutukaka – Auckland/Northland
- Pacific Collections – Waikato/Bay of Plenty
- Zeffer Brewing Limited – Central North Island
- Fix and Fogg – Wellington and Lower North Island
- Jeuneroa – Canterbury Tasman and West Coast
- Hunter & Craig Building and Design – Otago/Southland
