Running since 2014, the Stella Awards celebrates the success of business teams across the Taupō District, honouring those who create unforgettable experiences for their customers from start to finish.
About The Awards Customer Experience at its Best
Join the Stella Awards and Shine!
The Stella Awards exist to celebrate the very best of business in the Taupō District — recognising the operators who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding customer experiences, give back to their community, and help make our region a destination worth choosing. Whether you are a sole trader, a small team, or an established business, this is your opportunity to showcase what makes you exceptional and to be recognised among the best in your district.
The application is designed to be completed in just two to three hours and is structured around thoughtful questions that invite you to reflect on the journey you take your customers on from first impression to loyal advocate. Rather than ticking boxes, you’ll be telling your story — gaining insights into the why and how of what went well, and where you can squeeze even more improvement out of yourself and your team. We will be offering a series of workshops throughout the entry period, giving your teams a chance to grow stronger together, your business a chance to find it’s unique brand voice and for you all the tools to ensure customers come back again and again.
All of it culminates in the highlight of the Taupō business calendar — a formal awards celebration evening where finalists and winners are celebrated in style alongside their peers, supporters, and the wider business community. It is an evening of well-deserved recognition, shared pride, and the kind of inspiration that reminds us all why we do what we do.
Get Involved! How to Enter the Awards
Pick an Industry Category
Take a look through the Industry categories and select the one that describes your business.
See The Award CategoriesFill out the Form
Fill out the entry form, answering all the questions to get into the running.
Enter The AwardsPick up to 2x Specialist Categories
Once you've entered an Industry category, feel free to enter into the Specialist Categories for sole traders, dream teams or resilient businesses.
See The Award CategoriesParticipate in Events
Join our workshops to get inspired and learn more about strengthening business.
Check out the latest eventsCome to the Awards Night!
If you've made finalist, or simply want to root on your favourite businesses, you ought to make a night of it!
Keep An Eye On The Event PageSave the Dates! Events Timeline
Get your calendars marked with the upcoming events you’ll want to get involved in.
30 April 2026
Stella Awards Launch Event
This year’s awards are back with a bang!
01 May 2026
Entries Open
Now is the time to shine!
13 May 2026
Stella Awards Workshop #1: The Customer Experience Travel Guide
“Finding your Flow – take your Customers on a Joyride”
How you bring your customers on their journey with you influences how they share your story with others. Together, let’s build a customer joyride!
28 May 2026
Stella Awards Workshop #2: Great Lake Taupō Uncut
“What Makes Our Region Stellar”
The Agencies of Taupō believe our district is made better through collaboration and lifting each other up. The more businesses work across markets to reach a wider audience; the more customers see value in the whole region and come back for more!
10 June 2026
Stella Awards Workshop #3: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
“What Great Teams Have in Common”
The Stella Awards has long been about teams. Everest will showcase what great teams have in common, and you’ll leave with a commitment to better yours.
20 July 2026
Entries Close
03 August 2026
Finalists Announced
07 August 2026
Judging Period Opens
Finalists will be contacted to arrange an in-person interview, which will be weighted alongside the written application and a public vote to determine the winners.
28 August 2026
Judging Period Closes
In-person interviews will conclude. Judges will weigh up the written application, the interview and a public vote to determine our winners.
Ready to Participate? Enter the Awards!
Get ready to deep dive into your business and enter today!
"For the 6th time in the last 12 years, the Stella Awards is Town Centre Taupō's way of saying congratulations for all the hard work you put in to making your business, our town and the whole district so amazing! We know business ownership is a rollercoaster ride, so it's extra important to look back at all that you've accomplished. Enter the awards, join us for a celebration and let's have some fun!"
Organiser
Town Centre Taupō
Not 100% sure about a few things? Application FAQs
Can I enter a Specialist Category without entering an Industry Category?
No, you need to enter one Industry Category before you can be eligible for any of the Specialist Categories. It doesn’t matter what order you submit your applications in, as long as you enter an Industry Category before the deadline.
Do I need to register my interest first before entering the competition?
No, you don’t need to. Just click on Enter the Awards and away you go!
Do I need to own a business in order to enter the competition?
Not at all. The manager or a team member can put the business and team forward.
Can I save my answers and come back to my application later?
Yes, you can! But if you’re a nervous nelly like us, feel free to type everything out in Word, and then copy and paste it in when you’re all set to submit.
What type of information are the judges looking for?
The judges love specific, tangible and engaging information. Use stories, anecdotes, statistics and personal experiences to showcase both the impact, and the human element, of what you do so well.
Is attending the workshops mandatory in order to enter the awards?
No, it isn’t. But the judges will be looking for that x-factor when determining finalists and if you are putting your best foot forward in this way, it could give you a leg up on the competition.
Is it OK to use a large language model like Chat GPT to create my answers?
You can, but should you? In our opinion, you could use artificial intelligence to provide guidance for how to answer. But remember, ChatGPT doesn’t know your company like you do. There is no substitute for your own authentic, specific, passionate answers to your company’s most important questions.
Missing something? Get in touch.
Julie and Ken from team TCT are ready to answer all your questions about the awards process.
