Managing director Michael Stedman, speaking from a hotel room in Xian, China, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he was thrilled.
"To say I am delighted is an understatement.
It demonstrates NHNZ stands head and shoulders above other companies in terms of its business.
It is recognition in New Zealand of the spectacular work done by the team in Dunedin," Mr Stedman said.
NHNZ, South Pacific Pictures and Flux Animations were chosen as finalists from nine nominees for the inaugural award, which recognises success in the international business arena.
The New Zealand Trade and Enterprises International Achievement Award was presented at the awards on Saturday by Prime Minister John Key.
The company, owned by Twentieth Century Fox, exported "99.9%" of its productions overseas, to National Geographic Channels, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel among others, Mr Stedman said.
The company opened offices in Beijing and Washington in 2002, and last year announced a joint venture with Singapore-based production company Beach House Pictures.
This year, the company is producing 50 documentaries.
It recently announced it had bought the former Dunedin Convention Centre to redevelop into its new international headquarters.
