Companies across Auckland North will compete for supremacy in this year's 2012 Westpac Auckland North Business Awards.

An impressive 143 entries from as far afield as Pakiri at the top of the Rodney district to just north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge had been received when submissions closed late last week.

The highest number of entries came in the Mitre 10 Excellence in Customer Engagement and Massey University Excellence in Innovation and Improvement categories.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) runs the awards, and General Manager Business Growth North, Ngaio Merrick, says that so many businesses choosing to share their success stories, through entering the awards, is a testament to the quality of businesses in Auckland North.

"With so many businesses focusing on the customer engagement and innovation categories it shows a mass understanding of the importance of quality service and product advancement in today's business environment," she says.

"The awards programme is a superb way to recognise and celebrate business success as well as inspiring others to strive for similar feats. Businesses can learn so much about their own strengths and potential just by entering, so it's wonderful to see so much enthusiasm coming through the entries this year."

For Torbay business, Monty's Promotions Ltd, compiling its entry has already made a difference.

"I'm glad that our entry form is in now, it was a great time to really look at our business in depth," says owner Louise Allnut.

"I'm sure just working through the questions has made a difference to us as we were able to tweak and change some of our procedures along the way."

As primary sponsor of the business awards, Westpac is right behind the 2012 programme.

"It's outstanding to see Auckland North businesses of all sizes putting themselves forward for these annual awards," says Ian Blair, General Manager Business Banking, Westpac New Zealand Limited. "As a long time supporter of these awards and others around the country, we're thrilled to see so many businesses embracing this opportunity and we look forward to celebrating the winners later this year."

Finalists for the awards will be announced at a special event on Wednesday, 12 September at North Harbour Stadium, and winners will be announced at a black-tie gala dinner on Friday, 26 October 2012.