HiveEnergy Named Finalist in National New World Emerge Awards

HiveEnergy Emerge Finalists

Dunedin, New Zealand – HiveEnergy has been named one of ten national finalists in the highly competitive 2025 New World Emerge Awards, a programme celebrating Aotearoa’s most promising up-and-coming food and grocery innovators.

The competition, run by Foodstuffs New Zealand and supported by New World, attracted a high calibre of entries from across the country. After a comprehensive semi-final process—including business coaching, financial analysis, and a 60-second pitch video—ten standout finalists were selected, including:

Small Suppliers: Planta – Yerba Mate

Pierogi Joint – Frozen Pierogi

Mag Bag – Magnetic-close Storage Bags

HiveEnergy – Natural Honey Energy Gels

Little Ardoy – Frozen Beef Bites

Start Up Suppliers:

Teeny Teeth – Trio -Toothbrush

ButterLuxe – Oaty Butter

The Real Fruit Sorbet Company

Node – Rapid Hydration Formula

Dirty Donuts – Apple Fritter

HiveEnergy’s inclusion as a finalist recognises the innovation behind our clean, functional sports nutrition—energy gels made with real New Zealand honey, designed to provide natural fuel for athletes without artificial additives.

“We’re thrilled to be named a finalist,” says Stephen Beeby founder of HiveEnergy. “It’s been an amazing journey from a simple idea to a product that’s now fuelling athletes across the country. We’re thrilled to be recognised alongside such bold and inspiring Kiwi businesses.”

Chris Quin, Managing Director of Foodstuffs New Zealand, says:

“We have a proud history of supporting small and local suppliers and this year’s entries have been incredibly strong. We’ve seen a real step up in terms of quality and business readiness. These are entrepreneurs who are ready to grow, and we’re keen to help them take that next step.”

The competition will culminate in a live pitch event on Thursday, 14 August at the Foodstuffs Support Centre in Auckland. Finalists will present their products to a panel of judges—including supermarket owner-operators—who will sample, question, and ultimately select winners across various categories.

Winners will receive a comprehensive support package, including mentorship from industry leaders and exposure across Foodstuffs’ extensive retail network, with the ultimate goal of securing supermarket shelf space.

New World Emerge is proudly delivered in partnership with industry mentors such as Precision Media, NZ Food Innovation Network, Rise Growth Lab, HOOP, Stickybeak, and Calico. It forms part of Foodstuffs’ wider commitment to backing local businesses and ensuring thriving communities—part of their “Here for NZ” promise.

HiveEnergy would like to thank our incredible community of customers, athletes, and stockists. Your support has been instrumental in helping us reach this exciting milestone.