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.
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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."
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5.7% NORTHLAND: Wayne and Kate - Engraving Systems
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13.8% AUCKLAND: Lynnae Palu - F45 Training Takapuna
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7.7% WAIKATO: Team at Incredible India - Incredible India Restaurant
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5.9% BAY OF PLENTY: Team at Benny and Brew - Benny and Brew
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15.2% HAWKE’S BAY - GISBORNE: Jazz and his family - Bossman Dairy - Creagh St Store
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5.2% TARANAKI: Reece and family - Valentine's Valet
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9.7% MANAWATU-WANGANUI: Jamie - JD Hair Design
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13.9% WELLINGTON: Meredith and Craig - Avalon Service Centre
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11.8% NELSON - MARLBOROUGH: Mary Jane and Colin - Lemon Tree Lane
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7.3% CANTERBURY - WEST: Troy Cameron - ATC Accounting Services
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3.8% OTAGO - SOUTHLAND: Richard Smith - CJ Sinclair
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Education changes: Area schools ‘copping it from all directions’
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury principal says area schools are ‘‘copping it from all directions’’ with Government changes to education.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow has written to Education Minister Erica Stanford to ask whether the pace of change can be slowed down.
Area schools cover all year levels from new entrants to year 13, tend to be smaller and are based in rural areas, meaning they face pressures to implement curriculum changes across the board.
‘‘Schools like Rangiora High School don’t have to worry about year 1 to 3 literacy and numeracy, and primary schools don’t have to worry about changes to NCEA.
‘‘We are a bit of an afterthought. Area schools are like an airport and principals are like air traffic controllers, with planes coming from all directions.’’
While some rural school rolls are falling, Amuri Area School is managing a growing roll.
The roll has jumped from 335 to 380 students since the start of 2023, which includes its largest roll of year 7s (50) and year 13s (22).
Barlow said the school is working with the Ministry of Education to design a new building for science, technology and arts classes.
No budget or timeframe has been decided.
Amuri Area School is in Culverden, on the way to Hanmer Springs, and the relative isolation adds to the challenges.
The relief teacher pool is limited, meaning Barlow and his two deputy principals have had to step into the classroom several times this year.
Roger Hornblow became principal at Cheviot Area School in term four last year, having been a long serving primary school principal.
‘‘Area schools are very complex and I don’t think it is appreciated by everybody.
‘‘We are dealing with the NCEA changes and the year 0 to 8 changes. It is really complex.
‘‘But that is part and parcel of the beast and we need to make sure we do it in a way which give students the best outcomes.’’
It means professional development is constant, and Hornblow is pleased with how his staff are stepping up.
He would like to see ‘‘a unified education policy’’ which did not change every time there is a change of Government.
The New Zealand Education Institute Te Riu Roa and the New Zealand Principals' Federation also called on the Government last week to slow down the implementation of new structured math and English curriculum.
New NCEA literacy and numeracy online tests have also come under fire from secondary school principals around the country.
Education Minister Erica Stanford said extra support is being provided to area schools in North Canterbury, with curriculum advisors visiting schools, assisting with teacher only days and providing webinars.
The schools also have the support of the ministry's area school leadership advisor Stephen Beck, who is taking a year out from his role as principal at Hurunui College.
"Support will be ongoing as the local team looks to ensure our rural area schools have the assistance they require to implement and embed these changes."
But she said introducing structured literacy and numeracy will take time, especially for schools teaching it for the first time.
"Embedding a curriculum refresh, running professional development and responding to our sector feedback are things we will work on together over the coming years."
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ryman's award winning lifestyle
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We’re proud to be recognised by Canstar Blue for having the Most Satisfied Customers, which complements our tenth win of Reader’s Digest’s Most Trusted Brand.
As we celebrate 40 years since opening our first village, these recognitions reinforce Ryman’s commitment to exceptional care and excellence in retirement living.
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