Toyota celebrates top dealers

Cooke Howlison Toyota has been praised for its customer care after winning the marque’s supreme award at the 2025 Toyota & Lexus Business Excellence Awards.

The Dunedin business, which has been selling cars since 1907 and Toyota vehicles since 1989 when it acquired the Wrightcars Toyota dealership, picked up the gong during a celebration on Waiheke Island last weekend. 

Matthew Downing, Cooke Howlison chief executive, says his team is thrilled to win the supreme award as it reflects their dedication to delivering Toyota values and service to their customers.

“Our motivated team are invested in the Toyota brand and with our community partners,” he adds. “They wish to do well for the business and for the Otago community we serve.”

The Toyota Supreme Award recognises all-round leadership and excellence and includes 30 criteria covering aspects of operations at its 64 stores nationwide. Hawke’s Bay Toyota was named runner-up.

Tatsuya Ishikawa, Toyota NZ chief executive officer, says the Business Excellence Awards recognise the commitment of stores to customers and communities. 

The prizes are divided into excellence awards, which are for specific operational areas such as service and new vehicles, and premier awards for all-round performance within the company’s network.

“Our stores are part of their communities,” explains Ishikawa. “Customers see them as trusted destinations for sales and service, and that trust is what sustains Toyota’s leadership in New Zealand.

“Each of our stores reflect the character of its local community, and that is something we value deeply.

“Cooke Howlison Toyota should feel very proud. Their commitment to serving their region, supporting local initiatives and caring for customers is what defines Toyota in New Zealand.”

Other winners included South Canterbury Toyota taking out the President’s Award for customer satisfaction, while Tasman Toyota scooped the leadership and citizenship awards along with excellence awards for both service and used vehicles.

The Citizenship Award was introduced in 2022 to celebrate Toyota’s “Let’s Go Places” branding. Tasman Toyota’s partnership with Building Wellness Taranaki, which supports mental health and suicide prevention in the local construction sector, was also a finalist in this category last year.

Craig Clarke, Tasman Toyota chief executive, says: “It’s been incredibly special for us to be involved with Building Wellness Taranaki. 

“When we were first approached around five years ago, it really ticked so many boxes for us. The building industry is massive here in Taranaki, and many of the people working across those sectors are our customers. 

“We saw it as a real opportunity to give back to our community in a direct and tangible way – we just had to become involved.”
Ishikawa notes Tasman Toyota’s refreshed submission this year included endorsements from participants and evidence to show the impact Building Wellness Taranaki is having in an industry that has “long supported Toyota but sadly still has the highest suicide rate in New Zealand”.

Other award winners included Rutherford & Bond and King Toyota from Wellington, Prescott Toyota Otorohanga, and Miles Toyota and Ilam Toyota from Christchurch. The Lexus Supreme Award was won by Lexus of Wellington.

Award winners

Premier awards

Citizenship Award
Winner: Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke. Finalists:  Ebbett Toyota – Tony Coutinho, Rutherford & Bond and King Toyota – Derek Tilyard.

Leadership Award 
Winner: Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke. Finalists: Cooke Howlison Toyota – Matthew Downing, Hawke’s Bay Toyota – Angus Helmore.

President’s Award
Winner: South Canterbury Toyota – Mark Patterson. Finalists: Manawatu & TRC Toyota – Fraser Hart, Prescott Toyota – Ryan Prescott 

Toyota Supreme Award
Winner: Cooke Howlison Toyota – Matthew Downing. Finalists: Hawke’s Bay Toyota – Angus Helmore, Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke 

Excellence awards

Parts & Accessories Excellence Award
Winner: Rutherford & Bond and King Toyota – Derek Tilyard. Finalists: Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke, Valley Toyota – Wayne Richards.

Service Excellence Award
Winner: Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke. Finalists: Ebbett Toyota – Tony Coutinho, Valley Toyota – Wayne Richards.

Used Vehicle Excellence Award
Winner: Tasman Toyota – Craig Clarke. Finalists: Manawatu & TRC Toyota – Fraser Hart, North Otago Toyota - Lisa Wilson.

New Vehicle Excellence Award
Winner: Prescott Toyota – Ryan Prescott. Finalists: Rangiora Toyota – Scott McDermid, South Canterbury Toyota – Mark Patterson.

Branch of the Year Award
Winner: Ilam Toyota - Paul Taylor. Finalists: Rotorua Toyota – Alastair Douglas, Pacific Toyota – Whakatane – Ruan Meyer.

Finance & Insurance Excellence Award
Winner: Miles Toyota – Mark Mills. Finalists: Hawke’s Bay Toyota – Angus Helmore, Manukau Toyota – Darren Smart.