Double triumph for Rotorua Canopy Tours at 2025 Rotorua Business Awards

Rotorua Canopy Tours has won the Supreme Award at the Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards for a second time — believed to be a first in the Awards’ 34-year history.

The eco-tourism business took out the top accolade on Saturday night after previously winning the Supreme Award in 2016.

Nine years later, Rotorua Canopy Tours has done it again, winning both the Manaakitanga Tourism and Hospitality and Kaitiakitanga Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change categories on its way to the overall Supreme Award.

Rotorua Business Chamber president Paul Ingram says Rotorua Canopy Tours sets the benchmark for business excellence, with the Supreme Award recognising its vision, impact and enduring contribution to Rotorua.

“When Canopy Tours first ziplined onto the Aotearoa tourism scene, it was innovative, professional and immediately captured the attention of international and local manuhiri,” Paul says.

“Thirteen years later, the innovation hasn’t stopped. The team has an unwavering focus on their customers, innovative safety systems and a deep commitment to environmental values.

“At the same time, their dedication to staff development, hands-on leadership and authentic community engagement creates an unforgettable experience that goes far beyond the tree canopy.

“Canopy Tours is a world-class tourism operator, as evidenced by its numerous global awards, and through the nature of the business, has contributed to the regeneration of an incredible natural environment that can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

“We are proud to recognise the whole team’s efforts with the Supreme Award this year.”

In an emotional speech on Saturday night, Rotorua Canopy Tours general manager Paul Button paid tribute to past and present team members, along with the company’s founders and current owners, for their commitment and passion.

“We’re just a little business, and we try to be humble — but this is actually a big deal,” Paul says. “We try to raise the standard, raise awareness and raise the bar for sustainability in the visitor experience.

“Team culture is really important to us, and our team is important. A lot of the crew here are still with us from COVID — they’ve stayed, delivered and helped us survive.”

The Canopy Tours team at the event included the company’s first employee from 2012, Brooke, alongside long-time course builder Scotty.

Paul also had a message for the wider business community:
“Our business community has a lot of class, but we need to keep working together, push boundaries and drive change.”

The Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards, hosted by the Rotorua Business Chamber, celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership across 14 categories.

2025 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards – Supreme and category winners: