2168 days ago

Poll: Prospa Local Business Hero - who gets your vote?

Prospa

Small businesses need our support more than ever right now. While it's uncertain times for all, we are still proud to be celebrating our 11 regional 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 2020 Prospa Local Business Hero.
______________________________________________________

NORTHLAND: Lew Ringrose - Ringrose Stockfoods
“A very humble man who has been sponsoring any and every cause that has been requested for well over 40 years. He sponsors so many causes in and outside of the neighborhood, goes out of his way to get the meal to the hungry animals, works through the night to fill orders, even on public holidays he steps in and runs the factory single handed to allow his staff time off. He is well past retirement but dedicated to keeping hungry animals supplied with food. No order is too big or too small for his fantastic team.”

AUCKLAND: Jay & Kusum - Orakei Superette
“Part of our lives for so many years. They offer a great business, post centre, the BEST fresh flowers and fruit & veg. I have NEVER known them to take a holiday. Kind and genuinely caring people who add so much to our community. You could not find a better Local Business Hero!”

WAIKATO: Te Aroha Vet Clinic
Te Aroha Veterinary Clinic provide a fantastic service from a team that are dedicated to I was devastated losing Blue (horse) I bred her 14 yrs ago and loved her dearly and now I had her orphan foal to care for. Without her dedication staying for hours trying to save Blue I honestly don't know how I would have coped. They are a true asset to our community they go above and beyond the call of duty helping to care for our all animals providing around the clock care and service.”

BAY OF PLENTY: Tony & Julie - Pyes Pa SuperValue
“The owners, Tony & Julie, are great at communicating and continually ask their customers if they stock the products they want, and if they don’t, they then get it in. They have a very friendly manner and their Managers and Staff are all attentive. Thanks to Tony & Julie for choosing Pyes Pa, you have fitted in well.”

HAWKE’S BAY - GISBORNE: Kaye & Alan - Cornucopia Organics
“The staff are friendly and helpful.Also the owners will order in whatever is required,if it is not currently on their shelves.”

TARANAKI: Down to Earth
“As well as a range of healthy tasty foodstuffs and quality herbal supplements, they also provide a range of products to help with sustainable living. They have recently introduced a "bring-you-own-container" refill facility for dishwasher, shampoo and other cleaners. However the best thing about this store is the excellent service. I'm always greeted with a smile and friendly word, offers of help, etc. It is always a pleasure to shop here.”

MANAWATU-WANGANUI: Margaret and Vijay - Maxwells Line Four Square
“Margaret and Veejay go out of their way to make sure customers get the freshest fruit and veggies in town and if they don't have what you want will ring around to source it for you. Despite being robbed and stabbed in daylight, they were open for business as usual the next day. They are held in high esteem locally.”

WELLINGTON: Quoc Tran - Tutere Street Four Square
“This man got out of Viet Nam by himself when he was13, sailed on a boat and spent time in camps before coming to NZ. He could not speak english. He purchased a local dairy and over the years has totally transformed and enlarged it providing employment to a number of locals. He is the ultimate friendly shopkeeper.”

NELSON - MARLBOROUGH: Cath - Blenheim Life Pharmacy
“They deliver my prescriptions to me as I’m often unable to get them. They always make sure nothing I'm prescribed interacts with anything and they always explain how to take my meds thoroughly to me, which is important as I've had a brain stem stroke and somedays my brain is scrambled. Cath is wonderful at dropping them off for me. They do a really important and medically serious job with kindness"

CANTERBURY - WEST: Mark & Des - The Vege Shop.
“The Vege Shop on Stourbridge is just the best little local biz in town. Mark and his wife Des always have a smile and time for a yarn. We feel so fortunate to have them just around the corner. They are awesome!”

OTAGO - SOUTHLAND: John Swindlehurst - A&J Services
“John is fantastic!!! He does everything from carpet repairs to chimney sweeping and pest control. I have him listed in my phone as John Everything! He has a brilliant attitude and has even come on public holidays at short notice.”

Prospa Local Business Hero - who gets your vote?
  • 11.3% NORTHLAND: Lew Ringrose - Ringrose Stockfoods
    11.3% Complete
  • 14.8% AUCKLAND: Jay & Kusum - Orakei Superette
    14.8% Complete
  • 7.5% WAIKATO: Te Aroha Vet Clinic
    7.5% Complete
  • 4.3% BAY OF PLENTY: Tony & Julie - Pyes Pa SuperValue
    4.3% Complete
  • 6.2% HAWKE’S BAY - GISBORNE: Kaye & Alan - Cornucopia Organics
    6.2% Complete
  • 5% TARANAKI: Down to Earth
    5% Complete
  • 14% MANAWATU-WANGANUI: Margaret and Vijay - Maxwells Line Four Square
    14% Complete
  • 18.4% WELLINGTON: Quoc Tran - Tutere Street Four Square
    18.4% Complete
  • 4.1% NELSON - MARLBOROUGH: Cath - Blenheim Life Pharmacy
    4.1% Complete
  • 11.9% CANTERBURY - WEST: Mark & Des - The Vege Shop.
    11.9% Complete
  • 2.5% OTAGO - SOUTHLAND: John Swindlehurst - A&J Services
    2.5% Complete
3110 votes
More messages from your neighbours
K
4 hours ago

The Whangārei Monthly Crafts Market is Back!

Kristi from Tikipunga

Join us for a vibrant celebration of local creativity at the Whangārei Crafts Market!

🗓 Sunday 29 March 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Reyburn House Art Studio, Town Basin
🎟 FREE ENTRY

Come along and support talented local artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs. You’ll discover:

✨ Handmade arts & crafts
✨ Pickles, jams & homemade goodies
✨ Crocheted treasures & baby clothes
✨ Blankets, toys & soaps
✨ Jewellery & unique gifts
✨ T-shirts and so much more

This is your chance to shop local, connect with our creative community, and enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning by the water at the Town Basin.

Bring your friends, bring your whānau, and help us support local artists and crafters.

#WhangareiCraftsMarket #ShopLocalNZ #SupportLocalArtists #NorthlandEvents #CreativeCommunity

Image
K
4 hours ago

Northland Pasifika Fusion Festival - Saturday, 7 March 2026,10:00am - 3:00pm, Kensington Sports Park

Kristi from Tikipunga

Get ready, whānau! We’re celebrating 11 incredible years of culture, connection, and community at the Northland Pasifika Fusion Festival, and this year’s theme says it all:
✨ “Nurturing Our Cultures by Strengthening Our Health.” ✨
Join us for a vibrant day filled with:

🌴 Cultural performances
🥥 Pasifika food and flavours
🎶 Music, dance, and storytelling
🤝 Community pride and connection
💙 Health, wellbeing, and whānau-focused activities
Let’s honour our Pasifika roots, celebrate our diversity, and uplift the wellbeing of our people together.
Save the date, bring the aiga, and be part of something beautiful.
🌺 Pacific pride. Northland heart. 🌺
📅 When: Saturday, 7 March 2026 | 10:00am - 3:00pm
📍 Where: Kensington Sports Park, 97 Kensington Ave, Whangārei
💰 Entry: FREE
👉 More info: FALE Pasifika

Image
K
4 hours ago

Looking for a Stall at Tikipunga Market?

Kristi from Tikipunga

Please TEXT ONLY to Lynne on 021 189 6571 at the Tikipunga Market located at Water Street for next 5-6 months. If you need to book a stall.

Image