On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, the Remuera Club in Auckland filled with laughter, pride, and a lot of bula spirit as the Fiji Business Awards NZ 2025 brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, families, and community leaders from across Aotearoa.
Hosted by the Fiji Business Network (NZ) and backed by platinum sponsor Bunnings Trade, the evening was a reminder that many Fiji businesses in New Zealand started from humble beginnings, often with very little capital but huge drive, and are now creating jobs, mentoring others, and giving back on both sides of the Pacific.
Webfit News was proud to support the night as the official media partner.
Setting the scene: a community that started small and dreamed big
The Fiji Business Network is a not-for-profit group of business owners and professionals with links to Fiji. Its focus is simple but powerful: help members connect, share referrals, support start-ups, and invest back into Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, and the wider Pacific.
President Atesh Bhej, Managing Director of the Biz Group of companies, reminded the room that many in the Fiji business community arrived in New Zealand with very little, worked long hours, and slowly built something strong for their families and communities.
For many guests, this awards night was not only about trophies. It was about seeing their journeys recognised in public.
The people behind the night
The event followed a clear run sheet that kept the energy high:
- Opening remarks by Shavil Prasad, Master of Ceremonies
- Official welcome by Chair Atesh Bhej
- Judges commentary
- Small Business of the Year
- Business Leader of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Platinum sponsor address
- Business of the Year
- Vote of thanks
- Dinner, DJ, dancing, photos, and networking
Behind the scenes, Secretary Nik Naidu and the Fiji Business Network committee did a huge amount of heavy lifting to bring sponsors, judges, finalists, and media together and to make sure the evening ran to time.
A judging panel with serious mana
The awards were judged by a strong and diverse panel:
- Shaheen Junge – Chair of the judging panel, Head of Community Strategy and Partnerships at Fonterra, and trustee of Meet the Need. Her day job focuses on community impact and social investment, and that lens flowed into the criteria on the night. Fonterra+1
- Earle Thomas – Sports consultant, football coach, player agent, and former All Whites captain, with a long record of mentoring young athletes and leaders. Friends of Football+1
- Keven Mealamu MNZM – Former All Blacks legend and now director, relations manager, and board member across several organisations, including Fit60 HQ Training and NZ Rugby.
- Kylie Bryant – Business Development Manager at Bunnings Trade, attending as partner and platinum sponsor, bringing a strong corporate and supply-chain perspective.
- Together with the organising team, they looked at five key criteria for each entry:
- Business performance
- Innovation and strategy
- Leadership and culture
- Presence and impact in the community
- Vision for the future
In simple words, they were not only asking “Who makes the most money?” but “Who leads well, serves people, and lifts the community?”
Webfit News spoke with Shaheen, Earle, and Keven during the night. All three highlighted leadership through service, values, and community impact as the real markers of success.
Small Business of the Year: Trivision Entertainment Ltd
The Small Business of the Year category celebrated small teams that punch above their weight through creativity, customer service, and strong community presence.
Finalists:
- Trivision Entertainment Ltd
- Maurice Hedstrom Ltd
Judge Shaheen Junge described both finalists as businesses that bring real value to the people around them, not just to their own balance sheets.
The winner was Trivision Entertainment Ltd, led by Dameendra Shyam. In his short and straight speech, Dameendra reminded the room that events and concerts are not just entertainment. They are platforms where culture, community, and business meet. He invited other Fiji-owned businesses to use live events and media like Trivision TV to boost their profile and reach new customers.
Business Leader of the Year: Feroz Aswat
The Business Leader of the Year award focused on people who lead through values and service.
Finalists:
- Azhar Bhamji – Premiere Events Ltd & NZ Halal Show
- Feroz Aswat – Auckland Copiers and Solutions Ltd
In his remarks before the winner was announced, judge Keven Mealamu spoke about leadership that puts people first, lifts communities, and stays grounded in authenticity.
The winner was Feroz Aswat of Auckland Copiers and Solutions Ltd. In his quiet, humble way, Feroz spoke about serving clients well, leading by example, and letting actions speak louder than words. For many younger business owners in the room, his journey is proof that steady work and integrity still matter.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Govind Sami Achary
The Lifetime Achievement Award honoured decades of work, sacrifice, and community contribution.
Finalists:
- Govind Sami Achary – Sai Group Ltd & Anns Funeral Services Ltd
- Feroz Aswat – Auckland Copiers and Solutions Ltd
Judge Earle Thomas introduced the category by sharing how difficult it was to choose among such strong nominees.
The winner was Govind Sami Achary of Sai Group Ltd and Anns Funeral Services Ltd.
His story moved the room. Govind arrived in New Zealand from Fiji in 1989 with just 32 dollars in his pocket. Within two years, he became a Mobil agent, and over time, he built a network of 14 Mobil service stations that now employ around 120 people. He later founded Anns Funeral Homes and Outside Cremations, serving families across communities with compassionate and culturally sensitive support.
Govind also chairs the Fiji Girmit Foundation and supports health and community projects in both New Zealand and Fiji. In his acceptance speech, he thanked his family, his staff, and the community, and said this recognition only deepens his commitment to “lift others and give back.”
Business of the Year: Agile Infrastructure Services Ltd
The final and most hotly awaited category was Business of the Year.
Finalists:
- Agile Infrastructure Services Limited
- JSA Audit Ltd
Platinum partner representative Kylie Bryant from Bunnings Trade spoke before the announcement, stressing how local businesses drive local jobs and why Bunnings wants to stand beside the Fiji business community for the long term.
The winner was Agile Infrastructure Services Limited. In his speech, the company representative joked about not being very “agile” after an injury, but reminded everyone that his teams out on the roads are very agile, working hard every night to keep infrastructure projects moving. He dedicated the award to those crews who were working while the room was celebrating.
Sponsors, partners, and the engine room
An awards night of this scale needs strong backing. Support came from a wide group of sponsors, including:
- Platinum sponsor: Bunnings Trade
- Service King
- Future Print
- Frontline Security
- Grant Thornton
- NAL Civil & Structural Engineers
- Tamarix Group
- Subway
- Ladycare Services Ltd
- Sparkle Property Services
- Transweld NZ Ltd
- Fire Corp Industries Ltd
- Shahen Law Barristers & Solicitors
- Talanoa TV
- Construct Architects
- And others acknowledged during the formal vote of thanks
Secretary Nik Naidu used his vote of thanks to recognise committee members, sponsors, volunteers, and their families. He also reminded guests that $25 membership fees help keep the network active and allow more mentoring and support for new businesses.
How the awards work
From the FAQ shared with guests:
- Entry is free.
- Any business majority-owned by someone from the Fiji diaspora, and registered in New Zealand, can enter.
- Any individual applicant must be a New Zealand resident.
- A business or person can enter more than one category, but only once per category.
- Winners receive a trophy and certificate at the awards dinner.
- Applications are judged on clear written answers and evidence of performance, innovation, leadership, community impact, and future vision.
For many owners, just completing the application is a useful exercise in reflecting on their journey and planning the next stage of growth.
Webfit News at the Fiji Business Awards
As official media partner, Webfit News was on the ground throughout the evening, capturing interviews, photos, and video highlights.
Our team spoke with:
- Keven Mealamu MNZM, about values-based leadership and lifting others as you climb.
- Earle Thomas, about discipline, mentoring, and the link between sport and business leadership.
- Shaheen Junge, about how community strategy and business performance can go hand in hand.
Webfit News also received a facilitation certificate from the Fiji Business Network in recognition of its support for the event and the wider community.
More than trophies
In the end, the Fiji Business Awards NZ 2025 were about more than four categories.
They were about:
- Children watching their parents walk on stage and seeing what is possible
- Friends and competitors clapping for each other
- First-generation migrants remembering where they started and feeling proud of how far they have come
From small shops and service stations to national-scale infrastructure firms and creative entertainment brands, the Fiji business community in Aotearoa is writing a powerful new chapter.
And nights like this show that their stories deserve to be told, shared, and celebrated.
