For the next month, Hawera residents are being urged to buy from local retailers in their town in the Buy Local Campaign, which kicked off last weekend with a fanfare in the Town Square on Saturday.
The campaign is organised by Bizlink Hawera. Co-ordinator Rangi Coleman said the small townof just 4000 residents was serviced by at least 95 local retailers.
"It's an amazing little town. There are so many little towns in Taranaki, but Hawera is quite special."
Hawera is close to plenty of industry - the Maui gas fields, the real estate industry is solid and it's unbelievable the number of hairdressers and cafes that are here, Mr Coleman said. "Think local first when you buy - that's our key message," he said.
"It is a great opportunity to promote the 'buy local' theme to our residents, because when you shop local, the money spent on products and services from local businesses stays here to strengthen the local economy and even create jobs."
And the timing of the campaign couldn't be more perfect, he said.
"The local economy is due for a boost and if this campaign can help do that, the association would be over the moon."
The rules are simple: Just spend $10 or more at any participating businesses, fill out an entry form and pop it in the box before leaving the store. Look out for the "buy local" poster and balloons at participating stores around Hawera, he said.
