The 2025 Inductees for the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame were celebrated at the annual black-tie dinner at Cordis Hotel in Auckland last Wednesday night.

The New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, established in 1994 by Young Enterprise, honours individuals who have played a crucial role in New Zealand's economic and social progress. During the evening, Laureates were welcomed into the Hall by The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, before sharing their unique personal tales of enterprise, hard work and triumph with the crowd.

This year’s Laureates were: Alan Bougen, Catherine Savage, Dame Joan Withers, Hinerangi Raumati, Rob Fyfe, Rod Drury, and Shane & Lynnette McManaway.

In keeping with tradition, each Laureate was introduced by a Young Enterprise student. These student ambassadors not only delivered the introduction speeches but also supported the Laureates through their induction and joined them at their tables for the evening. This symbolic “passing of the baton” reflects the purpose of the Hall of Fame – to inspire the next generation of business leaders by connecting them with those who have paved the way.

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Meet the 2025 YES Student Ambassadors:

Introducing Dame Joan Withers: Hollya Theavy
Hollya is a Year 12 student at Papatoetoe High School and the Chief Financial Officer of her YES company, The Chocolatier. Her business creates eco-friendly stuffed chocolate products and donates 10% of profits to The Salvation Army.

Introducing Rod Drury: Sean Wong

Sean is the CEO of his YES company, Kiwi Pure, which uses native plants such as Kawakawa to create affordable and natural skincare solutions to soothe eczema.

Introducing Catherine Savage: Emma Dullabh
Emma, a Year 13 student at Aotea College in Wellington, runs Person to Person, a charity YES company that connects real people to real needs within their community, making donating a more personal and transparent experience.

Introducing Alan Bougen: Stevie Newton
Stevie is a Year 13 student at Otumoetai College and Sales & Marketing Director of her YES company, Wandering Kiwi. The business produces a magnetic, reusable, double-sided kiwiana-style bingo board game designed for road trips.

Introducing Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua: Tangi-ataahua Mata
Tangi-ataahua is a Year 12 student at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hawke’s Bay. She is CEO of her YES company, Ururoa Limited, which creates Te Reo Māori Learning Cards.

Introducing Shane & Lynnette McManaway: Cairo Achehurst
Cairo is a Year 13 student at Cashmere High School in Christchurch and founder of Cattle Credit, the world’s first carbon accounting platform for meat and dairy farms, using space technology to measure methane emissions from livestock.

Introducing Rob Fyfe: Tina Sun
Tina, a Year 13 student at Burnside High School in Canterbury, is Production Director of her YES company, ReFurbished. Her business uses upcycled fabric to create safe, environmentally friendly pet collars while donating a percentage of profits to the SPCA.

These talented students demonstrated the power of entrepreneurial thinking, confidence and leadership as they stood alongside some of Aotearoa’s most accomplished business leaders. Their involvement not only celebrated the Laureates’ achievements but also highlighted the bright future of enterprise in New Zealand.

For more about the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, visit www.businesshalloffame.co.nz.

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