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.’

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