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Unifone
Consistent, high-quality service for every customer
Otago-based internet service provider Unifone delivers fibre as well as high-capacity wireless to hard-to-reach areas across Otago.
Founded in 2008, Unifone has grown into a regional provider with its own infrastructure. Services include fibre, wireless, and mobile plans. Unifone also offers UVoice, a cloud-based business phone system bringing professional comms to small businesses.
Customer experience is central to Unifone’s business culture. Changes are only made if the customer experience is improved as a result.
They’ve overcome challenges like rugged terrain and supply chain delays by building towers and flying gear into remote sites. The company’s community-first approach includes freezing fibre prices during the cost-of-living crisis and improving plans without raising costs. Trust and word-of-mouth are key.
Unifone stands out for its local, hands-on support; staff live in the communities they serve, and offer real-time help. Their UVoice business phone system has grown rapidly, offering flexibility, fast set-up, and aiding small businesses communicate professionally with their own customers.
Network upgrades have boosted rural speeds to rival city fibre in many areas.
Unifone plans to expand in North Otago and Dunedin, grow retail and wholesale partnerships, and continue working with government and corporate clients.
Despite growth, their priority remains delivering consistent, high-quality service to every customer.
Dunedin Solar
Delivering high-quality systems with exceptional customer service
A locally owned solar energy company, Dunedin Solar specialise in residential and commercial grid-tied, off-grid, and battery storage solutions.
Established in 2021, their mission is to deliver high-quality systems with exceptional customer service, from initial consultation to lifetime support.
They hold an estimated 75% market share in their region, and have grown to a team of 12, including qualified electricians and apprentices.
Key achievements include expanding into the commercial sector, launching an education-focused website, and debunking myths about solar viability in Dunedin using live data and modelling.
Despite industry challenges like supply chain disruptions and limited government incentives, they’ve maintained service quality through proactive planning and strong supplier relationships.
Dunedin Solar has a passionate, low-turnover team and a custom-built CRM that ensures clear communication and long-term support. They foster community engagement through initiatives like tree planting, toy donations, and free meals.
With 54% year-on-year growth, the company aims to expand installations across Otago, and into remote areas like Stewart Island. Their long-term goal is to help more households and businesses reduce energy costs and carbon footprints – while keeping customer experience at the heart of everything they do.
Focus Technology Group
Maintaining responsive support to ensure better business results
A regional Managed Services Provider (MSP) offering IT support, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and consulting across the lower South Island, Focus Technology Group was established in 1994.
With offices in Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown, Wanaka, Timaru, Gore, and Christchurch, they serve iconic local organisations and SMEs with a people-first, locally based service model.
Their standout achievements include the launch of a 24/7/365 security operations centre with AI-driven threat hunting and real-time human-led monitoring. Tailored alerts have helped clients avoid major scams, demonstrating their proactive approach to cybersecurity.
Focus are also supporting community initiatives like Youthline Otago and subsidised IT for not-for-profits.
What sets them apart is their commitment to personalised, plain-language service and long-term client relationships. Unlike competitors shifting to offshore or automated models, Focus maintains responsive, local support to ensure they deliver better business results for their clients.
In the past year, they’ve expanded regionally, grown their team, and strengthened client partnerships. Future plans include enhancing customer feedback systems, offering educational resources – including an easy-to-digest podcast that breaks down IT topics to
help every business owner, and embedding a customer-first mindset across departments. They’re also investing in AI to deliver smarter, fit to future IT solutions.
Focus Technology Group are positioned strongly, with consistent growth, community impact, and dedication to excellent customer experience.
Medrecruit
Returning thousands of hours to patient care annually
Australasia’s leading medical recruitment agency, Medrecruit connects doctors with locum and permanent roles across Australia and New Zealand.
Founded by a Queenstown doctor, the company focuses on improving the lives of medical professionals.
In 2024 Medrecruit launched two key innovations, the Digital Doctor Profile and the Medworld Timesheeting App, which streamline credentialing and timesheet processes. These tools have significantly reduced paperwork, saving thousands of hours and improving placement efficiency. Over 3,000 timesheets have been processed and more than 1000 doctors onboarded monthly.
Medrecruit’s unique value lies in its tech-driven approach to solving long-standing inefficiencies in medical staffing. By digitising administration heavy tasks, they’ve returned thousands of hours annually to patient care. Their innovations earned them the Excellence in Innovation award at the 2025 RCSA Awards in New Zealand.
In the past year, the company relocated to the Queenstown Research and Innovation Centre, expanded its team, and evolved into a purpose-driven, tech-enabled organisation. Future plans include AI-powered job matching, deeper hospital system integrations, and continued investment in doctor wellbeing through the Medworld Institute.
Medrecruit aims to become the most trusted, tech-enabled recruitment experience in healthcare across Australasia.
