This year we’re celebrating 25 years of the Fast 50. That’s 25 years of recognising epic Kiwi businesses and entrepreneurs who have innovated through challenges, disrupted industries, and redefined fast growth.
Andrea Scatchard
Since its inception in 2001, the Deloitte Fast 50 has been the premier showcase of the best in Kiwi enterprise and entrepreneurship.
With a legacy of past winners that have become some of the country’s most successful and recognised names, the Fast 50 programme is as strong as ever, shining a spotlight on the businesses and entrepreneurs pushing the limits of what’s been done before – and what’s possible in the future.
The programme focuses on innovation and rapid growth across all types of industries while comprising two indices: the Fast 50 and the Master of Growth.
The Fast 50 index ranks companies based on revenue growth percentages over the past three years.
The Master of Growth index also uses revenue growth percentages but focuses on slightly larger businesses that have sustained growth over a five-year period. Category winners are also recognised across a number of industries, and in an exciting development, the Deloitte Fast 50 has added healthcare, Māori and Pasifika owned, and food and beverage categories to this year’s lineup.
Challenges and success stories
The 2024 results highlighted significant shifts in the challenges faced by our entrepreneurs, with the top three challenges impacting businesses being regulation, domestic competition, and interest rates.
Despite these hurdles, the Fast 50 cohort demonstrated resilience and innovation, with the overall winner, Halter, achieving remarkable 1539% revenue growth in just three years.
This AgriTech company has revolutionised farming operations with its innovative cow collar, which allows farmers to control cow movements and monitor pasture growth via a smartphone app that also tracks various metrics such as cow location, health, fertility, and behaviour.
Halter’s success story demonstrates how strategic innovation can drive substantial growth even in challenging economic landscapes.
Learn more about Halter’s growth journey in the 2024 Deloitte Fast 50 ezine, Insights from Innovators.
Tax compliance for growing businesses
New startups understandably focus their resources on profitable growth, yet it’s crucial to establish strong foundations for tax compliance and governance early in a new business’ lifecycle.
Investing in expert tax advice during these initial stages is money well spent, and outsourcing can be cost-effective while providing access to experienced advisors who set robust compliance systems for the future.
Is your business going places?
If you have a fast-growing Bay of Plenty based business, we would love to hear from you.
Give us a call or check out the Fast 50 website. Entries close 29 August 2025.
- Andrea Scatchard is a Tax Partner at Deloitte, based in the Bay of Plenty. She can be contacted on ascatchard@deloitte.co.nz
Deloitte Fast 50
