HiveEnergy Recognised at the 2025 New World Emerging Supplier Awards

New World Emerging Suppliers - South Island

We’re still buzzing from an incredible week in Auckland, where HiveEnergy was honoured with a Highly Commended Award at the 2025 New World Emerging Supplier Awards.

The event brought together some of the most exciting food and grocery innovators from across Aotearoa, each with their own story, vision, and determination to bring something new to Kiwi shelves. Out of more than 80 entries nationwide, we were proud to stand on stage as one of just five finalists in the Small Supplier Category – and even prouder to walk away with recognition for our HiveEnergy Sports Gels.

For us, this award isn’t just about a product. It’s about the journey.

When we started HiveEnergy in Dunedin, our dream was simple: to take the goodness of New Zealand honey and create natural energy products that fuel adventures, training, and everyday movement – without the synthetic ingredients so often found in sports nutrition. Being recognised alongside such incredible companies shows that our mission resonates, not only with athletes and everyday movers, but also with the wider food and grocery industry.

The judges told us that the competition was “exceptionally tough” this year, with entries showing huge imagination, market insight, and innovation. To know that HiveEnergy made an impact among such talent is a milestone we’ll always be proud of.

We’d like to congratulate the category winners:

• Little Ardroy Beef Company (Christchurch) for their premium frozen Beef Bites, made from retired dairy and beef cows.

• Butter Luxe Co (Auckland) for their Oaty Butter – New Zealand’s first oat-based spread.

  
  

And a special shoutout to fellow South Island finalist Pierogi Joint (Christchurch) – it was fantastic to see the South so strongly represented.

The support from Foodstuffs South Island, New World, and the Emerge programme has been invaluable. These initiatives don’t just celebrate suppliers – they create real opportunities to grow, scale, and reach more Kiwi homes. For small and emerging businesses like ours, that support makes all the difference.

We left Auckland inspired, energised, and ready for what’s next. The recognition of “Highly Commended” has lit a fire under us to keep pushing forward, with new products on the horizon (watch this space 👀).

From our HiveEnergy family to yours – thank you to everyone who’s supported us on this journey so far. Whether you’ve tried a gel on a training run, stocked us in your store, or cheered us on from the sidelines – you’re part of this achievement too.

Here’s to fuelling more movement, more naturally.

Steve & Kirsten

And the Team at HiveEnergy