WHO: Aquanort Pools

WHERE: 12 Timandra Place, Blenheim

PHONE : 03-5785928
EMAIL: marketing@aquanort.co.nz
WEBSITE: https://aquanort.co.nz/
SHOP HOURS: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Saturday mornings from October 15

HEADLINE: Aquanort Pools makes a splash at the SPASA Awards of Excellence

It was a big night all right. On Friday, August 12 in a gala ceremony held at Auckland's Grand
Millennium to mark the New Zealand 2022 SPASA Awards of Excellence, Marlborough's iconic
business Aquanort Pools was awarded the "Best Pool Store" and the "Best Single Location Pool
Store".

In front of 150 guests, representing the leading members of the swimming pool and spa sector,
Aquanort Pools owner Greg Norton was called up on stage no less than three times. As well as
the two awards for the pool store, Greg was awarded the "Acknowledgement of Industry
Service" for his hard work, dedication and valuable contribution to the industry. “It was pretty
cool to be called up on stage in front of your industry peers and recognised. It feels like a slow
burner after all that time, it was very humbling,” says Greg.

The SPASA Awards of Excellence are the swimming pool and spa industry’s most prestigious
awards, attracting entries to showcase achievements in construction, design, manufacturing,
supply, products, retail and service. This annual awards programme is to acknowledge the best,
boldest and most creative in the swimming pool and spa industry. Award winners from across
the country compete for New Zealand’s top prize of national winner in each category: the
ultimate recognition as leaders in their field.

For over 50 years the Norton name has been synonymous with all things to do with swimming
pools in Marlborough. Greg and his wife Nicola carry on the legacy of Aquanort Pools, started
by Greg’s father over 50 years ago. Since 1964 they have supplied high quality pools and
products and services to very happy clients around the region. Sustained growth saw the
company move to their premises at 12 Timandra Place, Blenheim, in 2006. It is now a third-
generation business, with son Tom and wife Nicola steering the ship.

In this backdrop, the awards are a recognition of how far the company has arrived. According to
Greg, who has been in the industry for over 30 years, the awards evening was a great
opportunity to meet people he has spoken to on the phone many times, sometimes for years but
some of whom he has never met in person. “As a business we wanted to become a member of
SPASA as it gives the industry a real collectiveness. SPASA is great for the industry, it is
working to create a recognised trade for the pool industry which we have never had before,
assisting with pool building contracts/terms and conditions and working with MBIE and district
councils regarding pool permits and regulations. We are stronger in numbers.”

So if it’s a new pool or a family pool that needs refurbishments, a spa or landscaping that you
need help with, why not talk to the people who run the Best Pool Store in New Zealand.
Aquanort’s experience of three generations will go above and beyond to realise your dream.

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SIDEBAR: JUDGING CRITERIA
*The judging criteria was based on a business’s Achievements, Marketing, Business
Presentation, Staff Presentation, Range, Service and Support, New Technology, Industry
Knowledge and Compliance.
*The “Single Location Pool Store” category is open to any single location retail/service business
that operates from a retail premises.
*The “Best Pool Store” is chosen from the gold winners of the four categories - Online Pool
Store, Multi-Location Pool Store, Single Location Pool Store, and New Pool Store.