30th anniversary of the Waikato Management School Case Competition

• Wednesday 14 Oct 2026
• 5.30pm - 8.20pm
• The Pā, The University of Waikato, Hamilton campus
• paula.maynard@waikato.ac.nz
• Free, but you must register

Join us on Wednesday, 14 October at the Hamilton campus as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Waikato Management School Case Competition. First launched in 1996 and proudly sponsored by PwC, it is New Zealand's longest-running business case competition.

For three decades, the WMS Case Competition has challenged generations of students to tackle real-world business problems faced by Kiwi organisations and develop innovative solutions.

Winners of the inaugural WMS Case Competition held in 1996 (from left): Richard Coles, Kris Anderson, Clint Gray, Elsa Brooking, and Vanya Wallis.

Now in its 54th edition, it continues to showcase the very best of Waikato's emerging business talent.

This year, four finalist teams will go head-to-head in The Pā as they pitch their growth strategies for a New Zealand business looking to expand its horizons while staying true to its sustainability values.

This year's case company is Heilala Vanilla - see details below.

Join us for an evening of innovation, strategic thinking and entrepreneurial flair, and find out which team will be crowned the 2026 champions and take home the $3,000 prize.

University of Waikato students, alumni, family and friends are welcome to attend. Please register to secure your seat.

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This year's case company is Heilala Vanilla, a premium vanilla producer with operations in Tonga and New Zealand.

Co-founded by CEO Jennifer Boggiss (BMS, Waikato, 1987) and her father John Ross following Cyclone Waka in 2002, Heilala has grown from a small aid project into a globally recognised brand, which is renowned for its high-quality products.

Heilala was the world's first vanilla company to achieve B Corp Certification for its commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and positive social impact in Pacific communities.