Pictured above: The Flicket team accept their award at the ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards.
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 held at the Mercury Baypark Arena in Mount Maunganui earlier this month.
The company has built a growing international presence supplying its platform to attractions, events and tourism operators around the world, carving out a position in a highly competitive global industry through a combination of technology, a strong customer partnership model and disciplined international expansion.
Judges praised Flicket’s ability to identify specialised international market opportunities and scale successfully into overseas markets, particularly in the USA, Australia and the UK, while staying focused on delivering value for customers and executing its long-term vision.
In their citation, judges said they were “highly impressed by Flicket’s vision, commitment and execution in building a disruptive export business in a highly competitive global industry,” adding that the company had shown particular strength in the United States, where it “secured opportunities in sports and event categories that are major overseas markets.”
Pure Mama was Highly Commended in the category.
Taura Natural Food Ingredients, a producer of high-quality fruit-based ingredients and inclusions for 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, with judges highlighting its advanced technical capability, particularly its ability to preserve flavour and nutritional value through complex manufacturing processes, as it responds to global demand for enhanced nutrition and protein-rich products.
Flicket was Highly Commended in this category.
The Emerging Exporter Award went to 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.
Two joint winners took out the Unsung Export Hero – Outstanding Individual Contribution Award: Hadyn Natusch and Mark Swetman of Oasis Engineering.
Having started their careers together as apprentices, the pair have played a critical role in the company’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. Judges described the two as “two halves of a whole – a partnership built on trust, skill and a shared commitment to excellence.”
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. Judges noted he has “quietly, consistently and without seeking recognition… helped countless companies achieve their export ambitions.”
EMA’s Head of Export & Membership, Simon Devoy, says exporting was integral to the Bay of Plenty business community.
“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 Bay of Plenty Executive Committee, Warwick Downing, says this year’s winners reflected the ambition of the region’s exporters.
“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, congratulated the winners and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting exporters.
“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.”
ExportNZ Executive Director Josh Tan says the awards showcased the innovation and perseverance behind the region’s export success stories.
“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.”
2026 ASB Bay of Plenty Export Awards — winners
- Exporter of the Year (in partnership with Sharp Tudhope): Flicket. Highly Commended: Pure Mama.
- Excellence in Innovation (in partnership with Port of Tauranga): Taura Natural Food Ingredients. Highly Commended: Flicket.
- Emerging Exporter (in partnership with Trimax): Cetogenix.
- Unsung Export Hero – Outstanding Individual Contribution (in partnership with Zespri): Hadyn Natusch and Mark Swetman, Oasis Engineering.
- Services to Exporting (in partnership with Page Macrae): David Cotter, Customer Manager, NZTE.
