Celebrated Bluff restauranteur Haylee-Chānel (Hayz) Simeon has made the finals in the regional (Te Waipounamu/South Island) business leaders' section of the Māori Women’s Development's Māori Businesswomen’s Awards 2025.

The prestigious awards, now in their 25th year, recognise and celebrate the achievements and success of wāhine Māori in indigenous business both nationally and internationally.

Simeon, the only Southlander to have made this year's awards, said the nomination was a "Bluff girl's dream" and she was deeply humbled to be one of just three wāhine representing Te Waipounamu.

"For me, this recognition isn’t just about Hayz At The Anchorage. It’s about every kai we’ve served with aroha, every kaumātua we’ve shared a table with, every rangatahi we’ve encouraged to dream big, and every kaupapa we’ve backed to strengthen our whānau and community."

"Standing alongside incredible wāhine from across the motu, I carry our region, our stories, and our people with me as we head to the national stage in Wellington this October."

Simeon is also currently a finalist in the Southland Business Chamber's Reece McDonald Local Legend Award, while Hayz at The Anchorage is a finalist in two sections (Consumer Services and Small Business of the Year awards) of the Southland Business Excellence Awards, and a semi-finalist in Otago/Southland's Grand Business South Awards.

In 2024 Simeon won Rural Women New Zealand's Bountiful Table Award - for excellence in rural hospitality and food enterprise and was also named as one of Cuisine Magazine's Top 50 Women in Food and Drink.

Outside of work Simeon continues to support her local community, serving hundreds of meals to Bluff pensioners fortnightly, supporting local growers and food rescue initiatives, teaching rangatahi about kai and cultural heritage, and sponsoring local sports teams and contributing to school lunches.

CLICK HERE for a full list of MWDI Māori Businesswomen’s Award finalists.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Simeon and her restaurant Hayz at The Anchorage.