Earlier this year, Timely won the Microsoft New Zealand Rising Start Partner of the Year and was a finalist in the innovative hi-tech software product category at the New Zealand Hi Tech Awards.
This time, it is a finalist in the ANZ best emerging business category of the awards.
Invercargill boat builder Stabicraft is a finalist in the excellence in design category, the only other finalist from south of the Waitaki River.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the awards run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise with ANZ.
Entries came from throughout the country in a broad range of sectors. The 24 finalists were announced by NZTE chief executive Peter Chrisp.
''We are again highly impressed by the stories of success within these awards and the pioneering way these companies apply their tenacity and ingenuity to build their overseas businesses,'' he said.
New Zealand could not grow by selling to itself. The success of the businesses in the awards was not only good for them but also good for New Zealand. That was worth celebrating.
This year's finalists shared a common strategy of targeting niche, high-value markets for international growth, he said.
The winners will be announced in Auckland on November 24.
Other South Island finalists are: Delta Strike International, Christchurch (best emerging business); Aranz Geo, Christchurch (best medium business); Tasman Bay Food Group, Nelson (excellence in operations and supply chain); Westland Milk Products, Hokitika (excellence in design); Ngai Tahu Tourism, Christchurch (Maori excellence in export).
