Poll: Who is the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero?
After reading the inspiring nominations from across the country, we are thrilled to share the finalists for the Prospa Local Business Hero competition.
Check out the nominations for our finalists below (click the business name to read these in full). When you've made your choice, go ahead and cast your vote!
With $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs for our overall winner, it's up to you to decide who is the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero...
AUCKLAND: Cam Vernon - Vernon Developments
‘Cam Vernon of Vernon Developments Ltd went above and beyond his duties to help the community by setting up a group to fill sandbags.
He placed quantities of Gap 7 outside Mitre 10 Mega, and at the police station and sacks to fill. He and his team and others worked for days helping people prepare for Cyclone Gabrielle and then helped with the remedial work afterwards.’
BAY OF PLENTY: Gina and Elmer Peiffer - Rotorua Whakaora
‘I would like to nominate Rotorua Whakaora, Gina and Elmer Peiffer. They work tirelessly 7 days a week. Sourcing food to help the Rotorua Region. They drive as far as Hawkes Bay to rescue food for our food distribution in Rotorua. Now that cyclone gabrielle has really hit the Hawkes Bay, they are now returning the love back to the Hawkes Bay. This couple does not get much of a break as they work everyday except for Christmas day. The love these two humans have for Rotorua should be commended. They don't do this for praise or monetary gains. They do this because there is a need and from what they would say - because we can.’
CANTERBURY-WEST COAST: The Team - New World Northwood
‘I am a paraplegic in a power wheelchair. One of the few outings I get is to go to New World in Northwood. I like to push my own trolley around which I can manage. Many times when I enter the premises a staff member grabs a small sided trolley for me and off I go. If I come to an item that is too low for me or too high to reach always a staff member around to help. Check out, staff help me by unpacking the goods onto the belt and alway bag the goods for me. I live in the area for over 18 years and most staff know me and without asking fit the full bag on the back of my chair without being asked. Top marks to New world Northwood and their staff'
HAWKES BAY-GISBORNE: The Team - Opal Kiwi Packaging, Hastings
‘I nominate Opal Packaging Hastings who are sending out 40 staff member a day to help with the clean up in Hawkes Bay’
MANAWATU-WANGANUI: The Team - The Big Egg Shop
‘My favorite local business is The Big Egg Shop. You get to see the chickens roaming free outside on the farm, and see how healthy and lively they are. But they have gone the extra mile, selling fresh local produce from their shop. The Big Egg Shop obviously worked hard to bring the local market to their little shop and I for one really appreciate it and admire them for it. They deserve a shout-out.’
NELSON-MARLBOROUGH: Toby Glen - Valley Coffee
‘Valley Coffee in Nelson! Toby set up the business not just to make one of the best coffees in the entire region, but to be a rock for the community. A perfect hangout spot for meeting others nearby and having some great conversation! Toby helped coordinate and link people with one another during the flooding in Atawhai.’
NORTHLAND: The Team - The Office Cafe
‘The Office Cafe, Maungatapere. They not only serve great food, they coordinate local events like markets, and try to help promote the whole village. They served takeaway dinners during Covid to make our lives better. When I had to go gluten-free I had to stop eating so many things, and one day when I was in there the owner said she'd tried four different recipes to make the yummy pies I used to love, but none of them worked. I was so overwhelmed by her kindness trying to do that for me.’
OTAGO-SOUTHLAND: The Team - Waihemo Pharmacy
‘I would like to nominate Waihemo Pharmacy in Palmerston. The staff are pleasant and helpful and Adrian (the pharmacist) will go out of his way to help. He has also set up a free delivery service to the Waikouaiti shop, so that patrons can collect their medications locally. Great service!’
TARANAKI: The Team - Bach On Breakwater Cafe & Restaurant
‘The Bach Restaurant. Their generosity to the community is astounding. $10 lunches for hospital staff during Covid, a $25 gift voucher to all Taranaki Base Staff recently and donation towards cyclone relief. Their food and service is excellent and the view is exceptional.’
WAIKATO: Meg Wilson - PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Shops
‘PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Shops in Putāruru. Meg Wilson is the amazing lady who formed the organisation. The money goes back into helping pay for the de-sexing people's fur-babies and rescuing abandoned/badly treated cats and dogs who quite often come with kittens/puppies, illnesses and/injuries. During the recent Gabrielle cyclone Meg rallied the community and within 8 days volunteers had sorted and filled 600+ boxes with clothing etc. A huge truck was filled and Megs wonderful husband drove to Hastings to delivery the goods to a very appreciative group. Meg so deserves this award. It is part of her’
WELLINGTON: The Team - Otaki Medical Centre
‘The Otaki Medical Centre. With all the extra stress of the Covid saga, and being the busiest place in town, I'd like to shout out for all the staff at our medical centre. I know they do their very best to meet the health needs of our community, and sometimes that is a big stretch. Especially when staff are short, epidemics need managing, customers behave unreasonably (occasionally), air conditioning breaks down, etc I take my hat off to our team. They just seem to Keep Calm and Carry On. Good on all the Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, Receptionists, Admin and Management. We are truly blessed to have a reliable, accessible and affordable Medical service in our town.’
-
12% AUCKLAND: Cam Vernon - Vernon Developments
-
11% BAY OF PLENTY: Gina and Elmer Peiffer - Rotorua Whakaora
-
12.4% CANTERBURY-WEST COAST: The Team - New World Northwood
-
7.6% HAWKES BAY-GISBORNE: The Team - Opal Kiwi Packaging, Hastings
-
8.5% MANAWATU-WANGANUI: The Team - The Big Egg Shop
-
5.3% NELSON-MARLBOROUGH: Toby Glen - Valley Coffee
-
3.4% NORTHLAND: The Team - The Office Cafe
-
2.4% OTAGO-SOUTHLAND: The Team - Waihemo Pharmacy
-
5.5% TARANAKI: The Team - Bach On Breakwater Cafe & Restaurant
-
19.7% WAIKATO: Meg Wilson - PAWS Pet Animal Welfare Shops
-
12.2% WELLINGTON: The Team - Otaki Medical Centre
Urgent Community Support Needed for Representing New Zealand on the World Stage!
Tēnā koe (Hi) Neighbours,
I trust this request finds you well.
I am writing to seek your support for my sponsorship request.
I am an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School, alongside the fact that I am an alpine skier who began with Special Olympics New Zealand and now represent New Zealand under Virtus International, the global governing body for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Paralympics New Zealand is the affiliated national member organisation for Virtus, responsible for elite athlete pathways and development. I have been officially endorsed and classified to compete for New Zealand at the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships from late January to February, where I am currently the only athlete in my classification.
First and foremost, I am a Double Gold Medallist from the 2007 and 2011 Special Olympics National Winter Games, and I represented New Zealand at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, winning Bronze in Slalom and placing 6th in Super Giant Slalom and 7th in Giant Slalom. Alongside this, I have contributed as a volunteer to major international sporting events, including the 2010 Inaugural Youth Olympic Games and the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, and served on the 60th Committee for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Aotearoa New Zealand.
As I prepare to represent New Zealand on the international stage as a Virtus para-athlete, every moment of training and every bit of support, including financial contributions, counts towards this journey of dedication and excellence.
Notably, I am at present dedicating myself to my training, while maintaining the focus and determination required as I prepare to compete at my best in the upcoming Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and Kitzbühel, Austria.
Skiing is a sport that demands discipline, resilience, and precision, and each race requires strength and the confidence that comes from knowing I have a community standing behind me. My journey is far from over, and I now need your support more than ever as I work to secure my position at the Paralympic Winter Games in 2030, once the selection regulations are finalised, as they are currently being confirmed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Virtus International.
Most importantly, I remain fully committed to intensive training and performance development, intending to win a medal at the Virtus Open Alpine Ski Championships and progress towards sponsorship opportunities with High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Thus, with the relevant regulations uncertain in order to compete at the international level, rigorous preparation is essential to cover all contingencies, whilst ensuring I am fully ready should a regulation be implemented. That said, the FIS and Virtus memorandum highlights the vital importance of inclusion in winter sports:
www.fis-ski.com...
In light of the above, given limited sponsorship, financial support is crucial. Any donation, no matter the amount, makes a significant difference, and introductions to potential funders are warmly welcomed. Donations can be made via my Givealittle Fundraising and/or Pledge Me pages. Here are the links for more info: givealittle.co.nz... and www.pledgeme.co.nz....
Every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Additionally, it would be greatly appreciated if you could simply share my page, as your support helps me stay on the slopes, refine my skills, and pursue excellence on the international stage. If you know of any sponsors who may be able to provide support, I would be grateful if you could connect me with them at davidee@outlook.co.nz.
Attached is a letter of support for your kind consideration for any future sponsors or funders.
Lastly, your support enables me to continue training, competing, and representing New Zealand at the highest level.
Thank - you.
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
-
79.4% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
-
20.6% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️💥❔
What has a head but no brain?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Loading…
