Porirua shining

Six Porirua businesses are in line for glory after being nominated for this year’s Wellington Gold Awards.

It’s the biggest group of nominees the city has produced in the awards’ 13- year history, Porirua Chamber of Commerce executive director Holly Thompson says. Porirua businesses are represented in six of the awards’ nine categories.

‘‘It’s fantastic and it’s amazing to see them achieve across so many categories.

‘‘It just proves we have businesses that excel across all industries,’’ she says.

The reaction from nominees has been phenomenal, Ms Thompson says – Adrenaline Forest director Jean Caillabet was barely comprehensible on the phone due to his excitement.

‘‘ They’re really, really happy and it’s fantastic to see that they’re so proudly Porirua,’’ she says.

Mayor Nick Leggett says he is stoked at the nominations.

‘‘It’s great that these Porirua businesses have put themselves forward for recognition, because we have so many successful and innovative businesses in our city that have tended to fly under the radar in the region,’’ he says.

Being Porirua- based is an advantage for the nominees, Mr Leggett says. ‘‘For many of these businesses, Porirua’s central location in the Wellington region gives them an advantage, either through efficient access to local suppliers or markets, or the ability to tap into the wide range of skills on offer within Porirua.’’

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on May 31.