Poll: Prospa Local Business Hero - who gets your vote?
Small businesses need our support. We are proud to be celebrating our 10 regional 2021 Prospa Local Business Heroes for their commitment to their communities.
They now need your help! We are now looking for the New Zealand Prospa Local Business Hero - our overall winner, as voted by Neighbourly members around the country!
This lucky business will walk away with $10,000 worth of prizes!
Please take a couple of minutes to read the nominations below - then vote for the business you'd like to see named 2021 Prospa Local Business Hero.
______________________________________________________
NORTHLAND: Wayne and Kate - Engraving Systems
"Wayne and Kate have been trying to support all the local sports clubs and businesses with great service and going that extra mile to help. They really have brought some life back into the community and should be acknowledged and rewarded for all the hard work."
AUCKLAND: Lynnae Palu - F45 Training Takapuna
"With no ability to trade in Level 3 or above, they still keep their members engaged and motivated with online workouts and daily challenges even though memberships are on hold and the gym is closed. They really are more like a family than a gym ❤️."
WAIKATO: Team at Incredible India - Incredible India Restaurant
"Not only do they make the most authentic, delicious Indian food. Their service is thoughtful and kind. We always feel appreciated for using their establishment, either by the warm greeting we get, the offer of a drink if we are waiting for take-out and their cute handwritten messages on the carry bag of dinner. They put the effort into the whole package not just making money."
BAY OF PLENTY: Team at Benny and Brew - Benny and Brew
"Our neighbourhood was missing a great cafe and meeting place. Since Benny and Brew have opened they have given our neighbourhood a massive lift. It's a place where you go for the people and the food and drink are delicious which is icing on the cake. For a bit, they were operating as a French bistro and the food was to die for! These guys have worked so hard and brought such joy to our neighbourhood"
HAWKE’S BAY - GISBORNE: Jazz and his family - Bossman Dairy - Creagh St Store
"Every member of this family who serves in the shop are very friendly, helpful and always smiling. They get to know all their customers and I have never walked into a shop that makes you feel so welcome. During our first lockdown for Covid, they put food such as milk, bread, out for people who may need it free of charge."
TARANAKI: Reece and family - Valentine's Valet
"Reece the owner of Valentine’s Valet, often helped by his Dad, mainly deals with lawns and gardens but he runs both a Carpet Cleaning and a Car Buffing business also. He is extremely hard-working, helpful and friendly and is happy to do the odd job that doesn’t fall into one of his usual categories. He comes to us fortnightly and we could not do without him. If anyone deserves an award it is — Reece Valentine!"
MANAWATU-WANGANUI: Jamie - JD Hair Design
"Jamie is amazing - not only does he offer incredible haircuts at an affordable price he is a genuinely caring man. With a heart of gold, everyone is whānau to him and he treats you like it. I always leave his salon looking fabulous but also feeling fabulous. He is the type of man that fills your inner well of good feelings while he makes you feel and look special."
WELLINGTON: Meredith and Craig - Avalon Service Centre
"Meredith and Craig Butland and their team do a wonderful job and go the extra mile to make sure every job is to the customer's satisfaction. They drop people at their workplaces and pick them up when work on the car is finished. They take the time to talk to customers about anything and are great neighbours to the local residents. Avalon Service Centre are definitely our local heroes in Avalon."
NELSON - MARLBOROUGH: Mary Jane and Colin - Lemon Tree Lane
"Lemon Tree Lane is a great big little gift shop. I am so grateful for Mary Jane and Colin's 'You are very welcome' and 'it's no trouble at all' attitude. Their prices are very reasonable, they always happily gift wrap with beautiful papers and ribbons as a part of their service. I truly can't speak highly enough of this community-minded couple and their classy, extensive range of items that never leave us disappointed."
CANTERBURY - WEST: Troy Cameron - ATC Accounting Services
"Troy Cameron is a local accountant. He is an awesome family man and it is not unusual to see Matilda, his Kune Kune pig, snuggled up with his dog and daughter in his lounge. It was the flying pig on his flyer that made me call him 2 years ago and as we had just gone into business which was scary in itself, let alone dealing with an accountant, we have never looked back. Troy goes the extra mile and his fees are more than reasonable"
OTAGO - SOUTHLAND: Richard Smith - CJ Sinclair
"The owner is Richard Smith whose family have been in the motor trade in the Ranfurly Naseby area for over 100 years. During the last years lock down our car broke down leaving us feeling quite uncomfortable as we live some distance from medical & other services. Richard came to our rescue. We need such companies and people in our rural areas. Richard demonstrates such excellent attributes required in our area."
-
5.7% NORTHLAND: Wayne and Kate - Engraving Systems
-
13.8% AUCKLAND: Lynnae Palu - F45 Training Takapuna
-
7.7% WAIKATO: Team at Incredible India - Incredible India Restaurant
-
5.9% BAY OF PLENTY: Team at Benny and Brew - Benny and Brew
-
15.2% HAWKE’S BAY - GISBORNE: Jazz and his family - Bossman Dairy - Creagh St Store
-
5.2% TARANAKI: Reece and family - Valentine's Valet
-
9.7% MANAWATU-WANGANUI: Jamie - JD Hair Design
-
13.9% WELLINGTON: Meredith and Craig - Avalon Service Centre
-
11.8% NELSON - MARLBOROUGH: Mary Jane and Colin - Lemon Tree Lane
-
7.3% CANTERBURY - WEST: Troy Cameron - ATC Accounting Services
-
3.8% OTAGO - SOUTHLAND: Richard Smith - CJ Sinclair
Whangarei Film Society - screenings for Thursday March 5th
Good People
We are glad to be back for 2026 and thrilled that the first WFS event for the year was so well attended. We had over 170 people see the brilliant documentary, Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke.
Our next film night is on Thursday 5th March in the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre at Forum North.
At 6pm, WFS will screen the Canadian documentary about the lives of artists in isolated regional areas etching out a career for themselves, RENDERING VISIONS.
Please note: This screening includes an interview with the film's director, Ms Ashley Laurenson, straight after the screening of the film, so don't miss it.
Our 8pm screening is the NZ documentary and tribute to a comedy legend, NOT ONLY FRED DAGG BUT ALSO JOHN CLARKE.
RENDERING VISIONS
Canada, Documentary 2025, 64 mins
Cast: Liana Wheeldon, Renee Manners
Director: Ashley Laurenson
Alberta Canada is home to Fort McMurray, a region rich in oil sands and it's a cornerstone of the nation's petroleum industry.
But for the creative community of Fort McMurray, the path is less clear.
So, through a series of interviews, local Director, Ashley Laurenson asks the question - “What do artists need to thrive in an isolated community?”
Laurenson explore the struggles, resiliency and creativity in the region as she compiles heartfelt stories from local artists, historical accounts from arts champions and messages of hope for future artists.
PLEASE NOTE: The screening on 5th March will include an interview with the director, Ashley Laurenson following the screening of the film.
Showing at Forum North, 7 Rust Ave Whangarei on Thursday, 5th March at 6pm (plus director interview) and Thursday, 12th March at 8pm (film only)
View the trailer at: www.youtube.com...
Tickets: Door sales only. $10 WFS members. Non-members pay $5 extra as an Associate Membership fee, per film. (Total of $15)
All welcome. Cash only please – no Eftpos available.
Like us on Facebook or visit whangareifilmsociety.org to sign up for free updates each week on the films we're screening.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
Loading…