Vesta Finance & Advisory took top honours at the 2026 Yorb Hawke’s Bay Business Awards winning the Supreme Award and the title of Best Emerging Business.
Tumu Group’s John O’Sullivan was named 2degrees Leader of the Year for nearly five decades of service to business and philanthropy.
Former bankers Jess Shaw and Jessie Parker founded Vesta and grew it to a team of eight in 18 months. Based in Ahuriri, the firm advises clients on home loans, commercial finance and KiwiSaver, and offers free financial education to the public.
The judges said Vesta stood out for “the maturity, discipline and ambition it has demonstrated in an extraordinarily short period of time”. They praised the founders’ financial planning and investment in their team, which helped the firm keep its advice personal as it took on more clients.
Tumu began as a timber yard in Dannevirke in 1975. John helped grow the family business into a group that employs hundreds of people across sectors including timber processing, property and retirement villages.
John’s community work has helped young people access education and supported families facing illness or hardship. He founded the Evergreen Foundation, which grew out of a tradition of Tumu staff pooling money to help others.
After Cyclone Gabrielle, the foundation raised $3.6 million and distributed it directly to communities to help them recover. John was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy.
Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce chief executive Karla Lee congratulated the winners and said Vesta and John each had a story to tell about this year’s theme, Built to Rise.
“For a business as young as Vesta to win the Supreme Award is a real encouragement to anyone starting out in Hawke’s Bay. Jess and Jessie have shown what’s possible in 18 months.
“John has spent much of his working life backing people in this region. There are families who know him through the timber business and others who know what the Evergreen Foundation did for them after the cyclone. I think this award will mean a great deal to both.
“What comes through across this year’s winners is how many people get a start because of the work they do. That might be a school leaver in their first job or someone getting the advice they need to start a business of their own. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, and to the people behind each of them.”
Among the other winners, Hygge at Clifton Bay took out Excellence in Business, sponsored by Unison. Judges praised its strong financial performance and the jobs it has created for school leavers and members of the migrant community.
Lawn Road Retreat won Best Micro Business, sponsored by EIT Hawke’s Bay. Judges highlighted the care taken to create a welcoming place for guests, alongside the retreat’s investment in renewable energy. It holds a five-star Qualmark rating for its holiday house and Gold accreditation for sustainable tourism.
Wairoa Young Achievers Trust received the Outstanding Social Impact award, sponsored by The Breeze. Judges said they were moved by stories of the difference the trust’s work had made to young people and their whānau in Wairoa.
JMP Consulting won Outstanding Māori or Pasifika Business, sponsored by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Through Te Ara Hōkai, the Māori and Pasifika-owned consultancy has connected rangatahi with work experience and helped them move into employment, education and training.
The Finance Team won the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Napier City Council.
“Thank you to our judges for the time and care they gave to each entry, and to our principal sponsor, Yorb, and all our category and supporting sponsors for making this evening possible,” Karla said.
2026 Yorb Hawke’s Bay Business Awards winners
- Supreme Award – Vesta Finance & Advisory
- Best Emerging Business – Vesta Finance & Advisory (sponsored by Heretaunga Hastings)
- Leader of the Year – John O’Sullivan, Tumu Group (sponsored by 2degrees)
- Excellence in Business – Hygge at Clifton Bay (sponsored by Unison Networks)
- Best Micro Business – Lawn Road Retreat (sponsored by EIT)
- Outstanding Social Impact – Wairoa Young Achievers Trust (sponsored by The Breeze, MediaWorks)
- Outstanding Māori or Pasifika Business – JMP Consulting (sponsored by Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc)
- People’s Choice – The Finance Team (sponsored by Napier City Council)
