Celebrating 30 years of the Waikato Management School Case Competition
Be part of a landmark occasion as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of New Zealand's longest-running business case competition, first launched in 1996.
Join us in Hamilton on 14 October 2026 for this special grand final marking the 54th edition of the WMS Case Competition, proudly sponsored by PWC, with a $2,500 prize on the line.
30 years. 54 competitions. Thousands of success stories.
For three decades, the competition has challenged generations of students to tackle real-world business problems faced by Kiwi companies and develop innovative solutions.
Sponsored by PwC, the four finalist teams will go head-to-head as they pitch bold growth strategies for a New Zealand business looking to expand its horizons, while staying true to its sustainability values.
Competing for a $2,500 prize and the coveted championship title, these students represent the very best of Waikato's emerging business talent.
Everyone is welcome to attend, including Waikato alumni, family, friends, and members of the public.
Experience an evening of innovation, strategic thinking and entrepreneurial flair as we celebrate three decades of student excellence.
Register now to secure your seat.
Event details
Date: Wed, 14 October 2026
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Please arrive at 5.30pm to grab some snacks and find your seat.
Venue: The Pā, The University of Waikato, Hamilton
FREE, but please register for catering purposes.
About the competition
Launched in 1996, the Waikato Management School Case Competition is the ultimate test for our Bachelor of Business students. It's a hands-on, real-world assignment that forms part of their capstone paper, MNGMT321 Applied Business Challenge.
Teams of students are asked to step into the role of management consultants over several action-packed weeks. Their task? Analyse a detailed case study of a real New Zealand company and create a five-year strategy to grow sales, profits and market share.
Each team also writes an in-depth business report about their strategy for the judges to consider.
Other companies involved with the WMS Case Competition in previous years have included the likes of Zealong Tea, Zuru Toys, Annah Stretton Fashion, Yealands Wine Group, and Tainui Group Holdings Ltd, to name just a few.
How the competition works
It all builds up to "Super Friday", when each of the competing teams delivers a polished presentation about their strategy to an internal judging panel.
The best four teams are then chosen for the grand final of the Waikato Management School Case Competition, held the following week.
In the final showdown, each team gives a high-stakes, 10-minute presentation in front of a live audience. They also respond to some tough questions from an external judging panel of industry leaders.
After some healthy debate, the judges choose a winning team based on a 50:50 weighting of the written reports and presentations.
At the end of the night, the winning team is announced and walks away with the trophy and a cash prize, proudly sponsored by PWC.
53rd WMS Case Competition 2025 - Pic's Peanut Butter
The winning team, Mind Over Markets, was made up of Haydon Appleton, Jan-Hendrik Hamann, and Hazel McAnulty.
Finalist teams announced
We're pleased to announce the four finalist teams competing in this year's 54th Waikato Management School Case Competition 2026:
1) Team 1
- Names
2) Team 2
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3) Team 3
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4) Team 4
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Expert judging panel
- Chair: Mark McCabe, Managing Partner, PWC Hamilton
52nd Case Competition 2024 - Ozone Coffee
Trailblazing Kiwi company Ozone Coffee wanted an innovative strategy to help them expand globally over the next five years. The winning team, Aotearoa Advisory, was made up of Hayden Collier, Alysha Gill, Bennett Greenough, and Jared Lines. Their strategy involved developing a new mobile app for customers and acquiring smaller coffee roasters in the UK.
51st Case Competition 2023 - Waitomo Group
Tasked with making the most of a Commerce Commission enquiry into retail fuel and subsequent legislation, students tried to plot a new course for the Waitomo Group. Tryptic Consulting wowed the judges.
50th Case Competition 2022 - Fonterra
After posted Fonterra a healthy profit of NZ $583 million for its 10,000 dairy farmer shareholders, competitors were asked to envision what the company's next 20-30 years would look like. Dynamic Consulting put forward the best strategy.
49th Case Competition 2021 - Shift72
Video on demand platform Shift72 was a global player before Covid hit but suddenly the firm was involved with film festivals like Cannes, Sundance and South by Southwest. Competitors were asked how best to take advantage and Prestige Strategies triumphed.
48th Case Competition 2020 - Boating and Outdoors
Formed in the early 1990s as a buying group, by 2020 Boating and Outdoors had 24 stores across the country — and an opportune moment to step back and decide on future operations. Triple J Consulting best plotted a course that would deliver success.
Previous competitions 2018-2019
46th Case Competition May 2019 - ZURU Edge
ZURU Edge launched Rascal and Friends nappies in 2017 planning for global success across multiple consumer categories — the goal was "five billion dollar brands in five years". Watch how 303 and Me set out their impressive business case.
45th Case Competition Oct 2018 - Allbirds
Shoe company Allbirds arrived on the scene intent on disrupting the industry with a small range of products made from sustainable materials. How could they scale up and have the impact they wanted? Watch Optimistic Idiots' plan to feather their nest.
44th Case Competition May 2018 - Xero
Accounting software firm Xero had been focussed on beautiful accounting software but was planning to target beautiful business. Tehy needed to know how cloud software could help small businesses? Watch Dream Strategy deliver on their name.
43rd Case Competition Oct 2017 - Zealong
After eight years developing the Zealong brand, the tea industry was on the cusp of a renaissance. Competitors were tasked with navigating this opportunity, while expanding the revenue generated from their existing services. Watch Settlers of Catan plan.
42nd Case Competition May 2017 - ZURU Toys
From its NZ origins, Zuru had ridden meteoric growth to become a China-based business with revenues of NZ$500m and climbing by 2017. Management felt ready to make a quantum leap in how they operated. Watch Elite Consulting lay out their winning plan.