The Shark Tank is back for 2026!
We were so impressed with the innovation in the Franklin community that we can't wait to do it all again!
We’re searching for bold thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators ready to make an impact. Whether you’ve got a fresh business idea, a community project, or a product ready to take off, this is your chance to pitch your concept to business leaders, gain valuable feedback, and compete for a prize pack designed to help you take your idea to the next level.
Have a business idea, community project, or product you’re ready to submit?
Meet the Judges
Mike Marr
CEO, TPT Group
Mike brings over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience and business leadership to the Shark Tank judging panel. Born in Pukekohe, he’s the founder and CEO of TPT Group, which spans electronic security, IT, AI, and more. With 10 start-ups launched and 17 acquisitions led, Mike has a sharp eye for scalable ideas and smart investment.
A qualified electrician turned award-winning entrepreneur, Mike has earned national and international recognition, including the Blake Leader Award. He’s Board Chair of Innovation Franklin and a trustee of The Runway Foundation, supporting families impacted by ADHD.
Mike’s deep industry knowledge, innovation-driven approach, and commitment to impact make him a powerful and supportive judge.
Tracey Kay
GM Safety, Culture and Sustainability, Counties Energy
Tracey brings heart, vision, and lived experience to the Shark Tank judging panel. As GM of Safety, Culture and Sustainability at Counties Energy, her leadership is grounded in people, purpose, and long-term impact.
Born, raised, and still proudly based in South Auckland, Tracey believes in creating opportunities—and empowering others to reach their full potential. With over 20 years of mentoring and community involvement through organisations like the First Foundation, she’s helped individuals from all walks of life grow with clarity and confidence.
Tracey’s ability to connect, uplift, and champion future-focused thinking makes her a compassionate and courageous voice on the panel—one who sees the people behind the ideas.
Amanda Mills
CEO, In Your Corner
Amanda brings a powerful mix of leadership expertise and a passion for unlocking human potential to the Shark Tank panel. With over a decade in senior roles, she’s known for sharpening strategy, building leadership capability, and turning big visions into action.
As CEO and partner at In Your Corner, Amanda leads a consultancy focused on human-centred change. She’s also a certified Life Coach, NLP practitioner, and mentor with Business Mentors NZ.
A proud Pukekohe local of 16+ years, Amanda is grounded in her community and a strong supporter of innovation. She’s all about bold thinking, meaningful growth, and backing people to go further.
Brendan Wood
Partner, Daniel Overton Goulding
Brendan is a partner at Daniel Overton & Goulding, a multi-award-winning law firm with a local office in Franklin. He specialises in acquisitions, commercial law, and commercial property, and brings extensive experience as an independent trustee and director, including roles with listed company Just Life Group and TPT Group.
An alumnus of the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Brendan has a deep understanding of business growth, strategy, and governance, making him exceptionally well-placed to evaluate and challenge Shark Tank participants on execution, scalability, and impact.
James Gordon
General Manager – Noninvasive Ventilation, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare
James brings nearly two decades of experience in product development, innovation, and leadership to the Shark Tank judging panel.
As the General Manager at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, he has held diverse roles across Product Development, Operations, and Sales, both in New Zealand and London—giving him a deep understanding of what it takes to bring complex, life-changing products from concept to market.
Alongside his corporate career, James has served over 20 years in the New Zealand Army Reserve, now as an Infantry Company Commander. He also contributes to leadership programmes like RYLA, supporting young leaders in their personal development.
With his blend of technical insight, and values-driven leadership, James understands what it takes to turn bold ideas into real impact.
Merritt Watson
Franklin Local Board Member and Managing Director, Pik n Mix Lollies
Merritt Watson is proudly based in Pukekohe and is passionate about practical solutions, smart growth, and keeping Franklin a great place to live, work, and raise a family. A born-and-raised local, Merritt runs a successful confectionery business in Franklin, which has grown from a small home operation to a thriving company employing over a dozen local staff and shipping products worldwide.
With a background in business, logistics, transport, and horticulture, Merritt brings first-hand experience navigating the challenges of small business—from supply chain issues to regulatory hurdles. As the previous Deputy Chair of the Pukekohe Business Association and a recently elected member of the local board, he combines entrepreneurial experience with strong community leadership. Merritt’s practical insight and strategic approach make him well-placed to evaluate and support businesses with growth potential.
Martias Kinzurik
Venture Manager, AUT Ventures
Matias is passionate about translating technical innovations into real-world impact for people, businesses, and the planet. He has identified commercialisation opportunities, built high-value partnerships, and guided multidisciplinary teams across STEM fields. His expertise spans science commercialisation, business development, and innovation strategy.
Matias completed a PhD in Chemistry at the University of Auckland before working in the wine, red meat, and food testing sectors. He then moved into research commercialisation, first as Business Development Manager at Wellington UniVentures and now as a Venture Manager at AUT Ventures.
With his deep understanding of technology and innovation, Matias is well-equipped to assess business ideas, challenge assumptions, and support founders in turning concepts into successful ventures.
Campbell Tyson
One of the incredible team at Campbell Tyson will be joining us as a judge. More information coming soon
What You Could Win!
We are proud to partner with generous local businesses to provide this prize pack for the Shark Tank winner. Each prize has been thoughtfully sponsored through time, expertise, or financial support to help the winner build strong foundations and grow their idea with confidence.
A 12-month Business Mentor Registration valued at $295 + GST - Proudly sponsored by Business Mentors New Zealand
We want to express our gratitude to Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ) for supporting our Shark Tank for a second year, generously contributing a 12-month mentoring registration as part of our prize pack.
Founded in 1991, BMNZ is New Zealand’s only independent, nationwide business mentoring service. For more than 30 years, they have supported small businesses and not-for-profit leaders, helping over 80,000 business owners and executives navigate growth, challenge, and change.
Through a network of more than 1,500 experienced mentors, BMNZ offers a personalised mentoring approach, carefully matching mentees with the expertise best suited to their needs. This tailored support empowers entrepreneurs to build confidence, strengthen decision-making, and thrive in today’s competitive business environment.
One professional development workshop (value dependant on workshop selected) - Proudly sponsored by Campbell Tyson Chartered Accountants
We are proud to recognise Campbell Tyson Chartered Accountants for their generous support of our Shark Tank, contributing a valuable professional development workshop as part of our prize pack.
Based in Pukekohe, Campbell Tyson is passionate about empowering provincial businesses with expert advice and practical, personalised solutions that support sustainable growth. Their team works closely with business owners to strengthen financial confidence, improve performance, and support informed decision-making.
Through this sponsored workshop, finalists will gain practical insights and tools designed to strengthen their business capability and support long-term success.
Sponsored prize option (select one):
• Time & Priority Mastery Workshop — valued at $499 + GST per person
• Financial Literacy Series — valued at $695 + GST per person
• Profit Improvement Workshop — valued at $995 + GST
Up to three hours of legal support (contracts, business setup, and more) Valued at approximately $1,500 + GST - Proudly supported by Daniel Overton Goulding
We are proud to recognise Daniel Overton Goulding for their generous support of our Shark Tank, contributing up to three hours of professional legal advice as part of our prize pack.
Daniel Overton Goulding is a general practice law firm committed to delivering excellent service and achieving the right outcomes for their clients. They place a strong emphasis on open communication, practical advice, and ensuring clients feel informed, confident, and supported throughout the process.
With a people-first approach, the team takes the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances and goals, enabling them to provide tailored legal solutions that are both sensible and effective. Their breadth of expertise allows them to support a wide range of legal needs, while remaining approachable, flexible, and easy to work with.
Through this sponsored legal support, Shark Tank finalists will gain trusted advice to help set strong foundations and move forward with confidence.
Three months of “Unlimited” hotdesking membership Valued at $1,050 + GST -Proudly sponsored by Loom Shared Space
We are proud to recognise Loom Shared Space for their generous support of our Shark Tank, contributing three consecutive months of their Unlimited hotdesking membership as part of our prize pack.
Loom Shared Space is Pukekohe’s coworking space and community, supporting small business owners, freelancers, and remote workers who are looking for a better way to work. Loom provides more than just a desk and WiFi — it offers a collaborative, welcoming environment with a built-in network of like-minded professionals who want to see each other succeed.
This membership includes 24/7 access, unlimited high-speed WiFi, printing (reasonable use applies), tea and coffee, listing on the Loom members page, invitations to member events, access to the online community, and the support of a positive and encouraging coworking community.
Through this sponsored membership, finalists will gain a professional workspace and a supportive community to help them stay focused, connected, and moving forward with confidence.
Use of the membership is subject to Loom Shared Space’s standard membership agreement and code of conduct.
Two exclusive 45-minute 1:1 coaching sessions Valued at $360 + GST - Proudly sponsored by People Ink
We are proud to recognise People Ink for their generous support of our Shark Tank, contributing two exclusive one-on-one coaching sessions designed to help the winner take their idea to the next stage.
People Ink provides personalised coaching and recruitment services that empower people and elevate potential. Their approach focuses on building confidence, clarifying messaging, and creating practical pathways for growth — supporting individuals to communicate their value clearly and open doors to new opportunities.
Through these tailored sessions, the winner will receive support to build confidence in how they talk about their idea, sharpen their message so the market clearly understands their value, identify their ideal audience and where to find them, and explore ways to increase visibility and momentum as they move forward with their award-winning idea.
This coaching is designed to help the winner build clarity and confidence, and take practical next steps as they develop and grow their idea.
Cash contribution towards the Shark Tank prize pack Valued at $500 - Proudly sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku
We are proud to recognise Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku for their generous financial support of our Shark Tank, contributing $500 towards the overall prize pack.
As a trusted local real estate team, Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku is committed to supporting their community and backing initiatives that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth. Their contribution helps strengthen the prize pack and ensures the winner has access to practical resources to support the next stage of their journey.
This sponsorship reflects Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku’s commitment to investing in local people, ideas, and the future of our community.
More sponsors coming soon
Contact [email protected] to find out more!
