TAITOKERAU Northland is full of great business ideas!
The Pick is Northland’s own premier Business Ideas Accelerator. A launchpad for start-ups (or those wanting to evolve) who are keen to put their ideas to the test. Over three value-packed months, entrepreneurs refine, validate, and grow their concepts alongside like-minded peers, guided by expert insights and real-world feedback.
The journey culminates in Pitch Night, where finalists present to a panel of Northland business leaders. Winners walk away with a tailored support package to help take their business to the next level.
Celebrating The Pick 2025
View the highlights video from our 2025 Pitch Night, held in the beautiful Te Iwitahi building at the Whangārei District Council.
HEAR FROM OUR 2025 WINNERS
In this video series, participants from The Pick business accelerator share their journeys — what they learned, the challenges they overcame, and how the programme has shaped their businesses.
2025 Supreme Winner
Georgia Keys, MAED Innovations
Her business concept: A smartphone-integrated defibrillator
Finalists for The Pick 2025
he Pick 2024 Pitch Night with winners on stage
Supreme Winner Georgia Keys (with trophy), the other five finalists and Programme Lead Tania McInnes (Far Right).2025
Keen to learn more?
The Pick is a value-packed 12-week ‘Business Ideas Accelerator’ programme (2026 programme tentatively commencing in July). An amazing platform to learn, grow and hone your business idea (or test a new idea within an already established business).
In a nutshell:
- It provides coaching, validation, exposure and support to generate impact, i.e. to quickly create a strong foundation with which to establish a new business.
- A programme of weekly workshops/sessions, covering money management, sales, marketing, leadership development, communications, legal and digital systems, and lots more.
- Finalists pitch to a panel of expert judges on Pitch Night, who provide feedback and ultimately choose our winner/s.
- It is available to anyone in Te Taitokerau Northland.
Register your Interest for 2026
2025 PITCH NIGHT
A brief look in photos capturing the energy and ideas of Pitch Night as our six finalists presented their business ideas to a panel of local business experts.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
People from all walks of life have joined us for the programme since it started running in 2017.
The Pick 2024 Pitch Night with winners on stage
PARTNERS
The Pick 2025 was bought to you by the following partners
The Pick is a Northland Inc initiative, delivered in 2025 in partnership with NorthChamber, Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau and MSD (Ministry for Social Development).
NorthChamber
Whāriki Te Tai Tokerau
Ministry of Social Development
SPONSORS & supporters - THE PICK 2025
Thanks for helping us support great business ideas
Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters who we are delighted to work alongside to help Taitokerau Northland businesses thrive.
Silver Sponsors
Far North District Council
Whangārei District Council
BDO Northland
Business Mentors
One NZ
Icehouse
Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust
Westpac
2025 PRIZE PACKAGE
Thanks to our generous sponsors and partners, our winners and finalists shared in a fantastic range of prizes, including:
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$5,000 in cash prizes, business registration support, Growth Advisor mentoring and promotion
(The Pick ’25 Partners, Premier Sponsor McKay & Northland Inc / RBP) -
Financial mentoring, Xero training and a one-year Xero subscription (BDO Northland)
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Business mentoring (NorthChamber & Business Mentors New Zealand)
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Free Business Fibre connections and mobile phones (One New Zealand)
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Banking guidance (Westpac New Zealand)
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Icehouse Business Training package valued at $2,000