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Movers, shakers and innovators recognised at The Post Gold Awards

Thursday, 2 July 2026

Sponsored by The Post, the Gold Awards recognise Greater Wellington businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations.
Sponsored by The Post, the Gold Awards recognise Greater Wellington businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations.

A Wellington company born out of a tradie's frustration after a long day on a construction site has taken the top honour at The Post Gold Awards this year.

Mufftech won the Supreme award as well as an Emerging Gold award at the event, held at Wellington’s Embassy Theatre on Thursday evening.

Sponsored by The Post, the awards recognise Greater Wellington businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations.

Ahead of the ceremony, guests ate sushi and hors d'oeuvres and drank Dashwood wines.

The diverse crowd, which ran the gamut from women in gowns and strappy heels to men in jeans and baseball caps, mingled and chatted as they waited to discover who had won accolades.

Paul and Timothy Limcango from Fraterworks in Lower Hutt ‒ a company that exports raw materials for perfumes ‒ said a win could put the company on the map.

“It’s good to be here,” said Timothy, adding that it felt a little surreal to be included on a list of finalists that included household names.

Hutt City Councillor Prabha Ravi said she was proud to see a good number of Hutt finalists, although stopped short of saying who she thought should come out on top.

“I don’t want to be biased.”

Julie Bennett from charity Big Brothers Big Sisters said standing among the finalists was “fabulous, incredible”.

“It’s a good opportunity to get the word out there about the impact we make in the community.”

Supreme award winner Mufftech was born five years ago when founder Simon Stone pulled off his earmuffs after a long day on a construction site and asked himself why there wasn’t a better product.

“Instead of accepting it, my wife told me to stop complaining and do something about it,” Stone said.

Her comment sparked a three-year journey to create premium Bluetooth hearing protection for people who spend their days in loud environments.

Stone said his own construction knowledge fed into his product: “Designed by tradies, for tradies.”

Today, Mufftech products are sold around the world, the company is on track to surpass $5 million in revenue this year.

Other winners included Canopy Camping Escapes, which offers off-grid getaways; project management software company Projectworks; and charity Champions Initiative, which partners with communities to help young people thrive through safe, youth-focused boxing academies.

The Post’s Tribute to a Wellington Icon award, presented by new editor Matthew Hooton, honoured business leader and property investor Malcolm Gillies.

Gillies’ career began as an apprentice at Upper Hutt’s Dunlop factory. Years later, he bought the site and transformed it into the craft beer and hospitality hub Brewtown as part of his efforts to revitalise Upper Hutt after businesses and investors began leaving the city.

With partner Kevin Melville, he also developed the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Trentham, a $100 million world-class sports and training hub.

Malcolm Gillies was honoured at the awards.
Malcolm Gillies was honoured at the awards.

As chairperson and part-owner of the Hurricanes, Gillies oversaw a remarkable turnaround that culminated in the team's 2026 Super Rugby Pacific championship.

Gold Awards event director John Dow said finalists reflected the depth and diversity of the Wellington economy, showing a region that was ambitious and connected.

The Post 2026 Gold Award winners