It was a big night for Donovan Group at the 2026 Northland Business Excellence Awards, with our team taking home three awards, including the prestigious Supreme Award.
Held on Friday 2 October at McKay Stadium in Whangārei, the annual awards celebrate the businesses and people contributing to Northland's thriving business community.
For Donovan Group, receiving three awards was a proud moment and a reflection of the hard work, innovation and commitment of our people.
Three awards, one team
Donovan Group was recognised across three categories:
- Northpower & Top Energy Northland Business Excellence Supreme Award
- Visual Technology Northland Excellence in Business – Large Business Award
- WorkSafe Work Health & Safety Award
Each award recognises a different aspect of our business, from our approach to innovation and leadership to the importance we place on workplace safety and continuous improvement.
Together, they represent something we're particularly proud of: the people and values behind Donovan Group.
Recognising innovation and business excellence
Innovation has always played an important role in how Donovan Group approaches the construction industry.
From our foundations in Whangārei, we've continued to develop our capabilities across engineering, advanced manufacturing and construction technology, finding new ways to improve the building process and deliver better outcomes for our customers.
Receiving the Excellence in Business – Large Business Award was particularly meaningful, with the judges recognising our ability to combine engineering expertise, manufacturing capability and proprietary software to develop construction solutions with national and international reach.
The judges also highlighted our commitment to investing in our people, developing skills and creating a workplace where new ideas are encouraged.
For us, innovation isn't just about technology. It's about continually challenging how we work and supporting the people who make progress possible.
Putting our people and their safety first
Taking home the WorkSafe Work Health & Safety Award was another significant achievement for the team.
Health and safety is an ongoing responsibility, particularly in an industry where people work with complex machinery, manufacturing processes and construction environments.
The judges recognised Donovan Group's proactive approach to improving workplace safety, including our focus on employee engagement, leadership and the use of technology to support better risk management.
They also acknowledged our commitment to learning from previous challenges and using those experiences to drive meaningful improvements.
It's recognition of the work happening across our business to create a safer, more engaged workplace where everyone has a role in improving how we operate.
A proud moment for our Northland roots
While Donovan Group's reach has expanded well beyond Northland, Whangārei remains an important part of who we are.
Being recognised alongside other outstanding local businesses makes these awards particularly special.
The Northland Business Excellence Awards celebrate the innovation, resilience and ambition of businesses throughout the region, and we're proud to be part of that community.
Receiving the Supreme Award was a fitting conclusion to the evening, recognising not only our business performance but also the values and relationships that have supported our growth.
Looking ahead
Winning three awards is an achievement we're incredibly proud of, but it's also an opportunity to reflect on what comes next.
We'll continue investing in our people, developing innovative construction solutions and finding opportunities to improve the way we work.
Most importantly, we'd like to thank everyone across Donovan Group whose hard work and commitment contributed to this recognition.
These awards belong to the entire team, and we're looking forward to building on this achievement together.
To learn more about the awards and this year's winners, visit the Northland Business Excellence Awards website.