Auckland Chamber of Commerce Chief wins AUT Excellence in Business Support Supreme Award

Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett has won the Supreme Award at the prestigious AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

“I am stunned," said Michael. "This is incredible."

At a gala dinner last night at the Langham Hotel hosted by the AUT Business School, winners across 13 categories, including the Supreme Winner Award, were announced to an audience of more than 700 business leaders. This year saw a total of 47 finalists - the highest in the award’s seven-year history.

Michael Barnett won the AUT Excellence in Business Support Individual Award category, before taking the evening’s top prize, the AUT Excellence in Business Support Supreme Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business and the community over the past 21 years.

In making the award, AUT Business School Dean Geoff Perry said for New Zealand businesses to be world class they needed to have "world class business support".

Dr Perry says all 47 finalists had shown tremendous dedication to business support across New Zealand.

“The quality of products and services being offered by all of this year’s finalists is highly encouraging for the growth of the New Zealand economy. Every finalist has had to demonstrate their successful leadership and planning, customer and market focus, provision of business support, evaluation, improvement and business results.

“All entries go through a thorough evaluation process that is overseen by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation, as well as evaluators from our own Management Department at AUT Business School, and assessed using the international Baldrige criteria. With this in mind, the winners really have demonstrated they are top of their game.

“I wish to congratulate all of this year’s winners for their outstanding success and support of New Zealand business.”