The Dunedin City Council's Economic Development Unit (EDU) and the Otago Chamber of Commerce's joint succession planning project "Pass it on" was recognised, as was the EDU's Research Support Fund initiative, and separately the chamber's involvement in managing the 4Trades apprentice training venture.
The third organisation to make the finals was Dunedin business incubator Upstart's Entrepreneur Intern Programme.
EDU manager Peter Harris said, given there was a record number of entries, it was heartening to see Dunedin feature so strongly in the finals, which reinforces the belief Dunedin offers excellent support for business.
"Between them, these organisations have helped businesses achieve their goals, and now more than ever, is a good time to celebrate that," he said.
The 4Trades service, managed and delivered by the chamber, was a particularly good example, with its success in developing a novel way of meeting the local demand for skilled workers by producing apprentices who were now the envy of other New Zealand regions, Mr Harris said.
"The three organisations' initiatives are unique, and reflect Dunedin's very successful collaborative approach that sees organisations bringing together their individual strengths to maximise their combined resource," Mr Harris said in a statement.
Upstart chief executive Dr Norman Evans said its Entrepreneur Intern Programme gave young entrepreneurs real life experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals, with the intention of providing a source of highly successful start-ups in the future.
The Vero awards will be announced on May 28.
