GREEN GOLD
in association with GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL
~ sustainable products & programmes
2020 FINALISTS
AGAIN AGAIN
Guilt-free Cups Deluxe....
After a light bulb moment in March 2018, in which Nada Piatek Managing Director, (pictured) saw a systematic approach to addressing single-use waste in the coffee industry, Again Again was born – and so was the reusable takeaway coffee cup revolution.
"Again Again offers a sustainable solution – in a Kiwi industry that sees 295 million single-use cups entering landfills and the ecosystem annually – through a reusable and refundable coffee cup share system, which stops upwards of 820,000 single-use cups entering landfills annually.” Nada tells us.
The reusable steel cups are available with a deposit and return at participating cafes, giving coffee fiends peace of mind with every sip.
LEARN MORE: www.againagain.co @againagainco
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GREEN GOLD
in association with GREATER WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL
~ sustainable products & programmes
2020 FINALISTS
AGAIN AGAIN
Guilt-free Cups Deluxe....
After a light bulb moment in March 2018, in which Nada Piatek Managing Director, (pictured) saw a systematic approach to addressing single-use waste in the coffee industry, Again Again was born – and so was the reusable takeaway coffee cup revolution.
"Again Again offers a sustainable solution – in a Kiwi industry that sees 295 million single-use cups entering landfills and the ecosystem annually – through a reusable and refundable coffee cup share system, which stops upwards of 820,000 single-use cups entering landfills annually.” Nada tells us.
The reusable steel cups are available with a deposit and return at participating cafes, giving coffee fiends peace of mind with every sip.
LEARN MORE: www.againagain.co @againagainco
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
2020 FINALISTS
INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
INNOVATION GOLD in association with DATACOM
~ inventive new products & processes
2020 FINALISTS
2020 FINALISTS
Wellington region's premier annual business celebration
TALENT ARMY
SUPPORTING GOLD
~ services & infrastructure
2026 FINALISTS
CYBERTEAM
Where stuck projects get unstuck
When they say "Not your traditional cybersecurity company", they mean it.
Founded in 2023 by frustrated contractors, who'd watched too many tick-box assessments deliver too little actual security. Since then, CyberTeam has gone from two founders to a team of nine, growing the client base from zero to 45 across government and private sector.
"To us, providing real value means understanding our customers goals, and becoming an extension of their team to achieve them” explains Founder Jarrad Vodanovich (pictured).
You call them when the project is stuck - not just to score it, but to roll up sleeves and finish the job.
Their proprietary risk platform Speculo is also up for an award, and in November 2025 they took home the iSANZ Award for Best Security Start-Up of the Year. Featherston Street-based, fixer-flavoured, and refreshingly allergic to paper-pushing.
As one CIO put it: "they keep digging to find the true risk."
LEARN MORE
www.linkedin.com/company/cyberteam-nz
PLEDGEME
Girls just wanna have funds
PledgeMe is the Aotearoa‑born crowdfunding platform that decided capital raising should feel like a party, not a bank meeting.
Since 2012 they’ve helped more than 1,700 campaigns raise almost $80 million, backing everything from community projects to Wellington icons like Hills Hats and newcomers Dose Buddy.
Founder Anna Guenther (pictured) says “Our secret sauce is crowd activation, not gatekeeping – especially for women, Māori, Pasifika, regional and impact founders who are often locked out of traditional funding.
With equity success rates jumping from 60 to 80 percent and half of all funds raised going to female founders, they’re smashing global VC stats. PledgeMe is putting the fun back into funding – and making sure more of that money lands close to home.
LEARN MORE
www.linkedin.com/company/pledgeme
PORIRUA CAREERS EXPO
Paddling their own waka
A community-led event that's quietly become the careers expo of choice in our region.
Established by Porirua City Council in conjunction with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, MoE, MSD, Le Fale, Partners Porirua and local colleges, it's growing fast: 2,700 attendees in 2024 and over 3,300 in 2025 and 2026.
"With free buses for colleges - the expo was launched to help young people discover new career and study pathways, opening doors to a brighter future.” explains Porirua City Council Organiser Shaun Freemantle (pictured left with fellow organiser Sam Tyler).
Anchored in a waka kaupapa, featuring Cook Island drummers, a va'a, and the moana symbolising the journey our rangatahi navigate as they steer and find their own career paths.
Hoea tō waka – paddle your canoe.
Pathways, with a pulse.
LEARN MORE
www.poriruacity.govt.nz/careers-expo
TAIAWA - WELLINGTON TECH HUB
Local roots get global wings
Taiawa - Wellington Tech Hub is the high-energy growth community powering global growth of the capital's scaling tech scene.
A first-of-its-kind partnership between Wellington City Council and Victoria University of Wellington, Taiawa opened in June 2024 to support and propel local tech innovators onto the world stage.
Founder Dascha Cooper (pictured) tells us "The impact is tangible: in its first year, resident companies generated $11.9 million and 127 jobs for the Wellington region."
Our founders are scaling at pace with Factor recently acquired for $24 million, Litmaps active in 180 countries and Storbie growing its US base by 2,000%.
By blending VUW student talent with high-trust, low ego community, Taiawa ensures Wellington's "weightless" exports solve real-world problems globally.
LEARN MORE
www.linkedin.com/company/taiawa-wellington-tech-hub
www.youtube.com/channel/UCgdO_ADANHdr9f2gyCZM0-A
TASKMASTERS
The gentle art of letting go
Since its foundation in 2016, TaskMasters has supported seniors and families by providing organising and decluttering services built on trust and empathy.
Our compassionate, wrap-around service guides clients through downsizing into homes and retirement villages, and clearing loved ones' estates, making the grieving process easier.
"Our work frees up much-needed housing, supports local businesses and charities, and provides flexible employment for individuals aged 50+ who are balancing work with caring for aging parents.” explains Founder Judy Thorpe (pictured right with Co Founder Jane van der Wilt).
Committed to sustainability, we ensure belongings are thoughtfully rehomed and recycled, diverting tonnes from landfills.
Last year, TaskMasters prepared 105 properties for sale and managed 116 retirement move-ins, achieving 42% business growth.
Moving forward, we aim to meet the needs of more people across the Wellington region.
LEARN MORE
Instagram: taskmasters_organisers
Facebook: @taskmastersnz
YOUTH INSPIRE
Rangatahi Rising
Led by Chief Executive Officer Zainab Ali (pictured with rangatahi Zion Tiaki), this Taita based charity backs rangatahi aged 15–25 with exactly what employers actually care about: confidence, skills and a full licence in their pocket.
There’s no entry criteria, no judgement and definitely no box ticking – just real relationships, bespoke employment programmes, driving lessons and the kind of wraparound mentoring that can get rival gang members working side by side in the same class.
With strong outcomes, fierce community trust and a waitlist of keen rangatahi, Youth Inspire is quietly building tomorrow’s leaders, one hard won opportunity at a time.
LEARN MORE
www.facebook.com/youthinspirenz
Instagram: @youthinspirenz
www.linkedin.com/company/youth-inspire-lower-hutt