Minka Bodde-Phillips spent five months living at Northland's idyllic Sandy Bay, creating her dream - an online community for mothers.
Now her dream project, Mothers Online, is holding it's second annual Mother of the Year competition.
The search for Mother of the Year is on, with entries closing April 30, and mothers from Paihia, Opua, Kaitaia and Moerewa are already in the running.
Mrs Bodde-Phillips, her husband, and her four young children spend every holidays in Northland with the children's grandmother who lives at Sandy Bay.
She has wanted to hold the competition since she started the website.
Prior to having children, Mrs Bodde-Phillip was a lawyer and she struggled with the transition to motherhood.
"No one talks about the loss of identity, or how hard it is to be a mum."
So she decided to build the first online community for New Zealand mothers.
"If they can stay at home, in their pyjamas with no make-up on, and be able to tap into a group of like-minded people, then that's great."
Mrs Bodde-Phillips always planned to have a Mother of the Year competition to celebrate mums and the great work they do.
Entrants are judged on five attributes that have been voted on by Mothers Online readers.
To be named Mother of the Year, the mum must have a great sense of humour, give unconditional love, spend quality time with her children, contribute to the wider family or community and take time to look after herself.
Mothers are judged within age groups, and then an ultimate winner is selected. There is also a people's choice award that can be voted for online at www.motheroftheyear.co.nz
This year's major prize includes a seven-day cruise around Fiji, a gym membership, and a $1000 Farmers voucher.
Fashion designer Annah Stretton, radio host Polly Gillespie and Good Morning host Sarah Bradley, will help judge the competition.
Mrs Bodde-Phillip said the competition wasn't just about who won.
"It gives families an opportunity to say thank you. A place to publicly acknowledge what mums do," she said.
Mrs Bodde-Phillip said a future Father of the Year competition isn't out of the question.
"All I have to do now is convince my husband to leave his job and build Fathers Online!"
Mum of Year out there somewhere
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