Junction Award Category Winners 2023
Entertainment & Tourism - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: Matakana Cinemas
Matakana Cinemas owner, Dan, insists, “our best asset is our staff”, and that all the reviews and comments are a testament to that. He says it is the people who live in the area and come to the movies that keep the business running outside of holiday times. And he says the cinema enjoys supporting local fundraising initiatives, schools, and working with other local businesses. Adding two more cinemas is something Dan would love to do. “We also want to give some upgrades to the projection and sound equipment in the Tivoli Theatre too; did someone say laser?”
2 Matakana Valley Rd, Matakana | www.MatakanaCinemas.co.nz
TOP 5 - Entertainment & Tourism - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. Matakana Country Park Markets
3. Donkeys at Highfield Garden Reserve
4. Sculptureum
5. Action Ninja World
Entertainment & Tourism - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Mangawhai Tavern Markets
Mangawhai Tavern Markets was created by Mike and Ness to provide a space for everyone to come together and support local artisans. They say that “to be nominated for the award is a humbling recognition from the community and our market families”. It is a compost-focussed market that they started back in 2019, in which all food vendors are required to have compostable-only service items for their food offerings at the market. They also encourage everyone to bring their own bags and coffee cups. “Our local community is our business. Seventy-percent of our vendors are locals, and the revenue from our locals mostly stays within the community.”
2 Moir St, Mangawhai | www.MangawhaiTavernMarket.co.nz
TOP 5 - Entertainment & Tourism - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
2. Camp Waipu Cove
3. Aotearoa Surf School
4. Mangawhai Museum
5. Te Arari Links
Cafés, Restaurants & Cellar Doors - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: Pete & Mary's Eatery
Having both worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years, Suz and Tim were keen to open a café of their own. So in 2019 they purchased Pete & Mary’s, which they say was a dream come true. Despite challenging times, they are focused on doing the best they can to serve great food and coffee, and to provide a wonderful experience for each person who walks through the doors. There is the possibility of expanding one day, if the time is right, but for now they are “happy with our little space on the map”.
21 Queen St, Warkworth | www.facebook.com/PeteAndMarys.Eatery
TOP 5 - Cafés, Restaurants & Cellar Doors - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail
3. Charlies Gelato Garden
4. Ravish
5. Aldo's Restaurant
Cafés, Restaurants & Cellar Doors - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Bennetts of Mangawhai
The café started when Mary and Clayton Bennett wanted a space where chocolate lovers could sit and enjoy chocolate over a cup of tea or coffee. The café quickly became a destination in itself and is now a meeting point for locals and tourists alike. The local community is at the core of the business, and they strive to build strong relationships with the community as well as support local schools, charities and events. Their plan for the future is to continue to make delicious chocolate, and next year they intend to open a bakery to run alongside the café.
52 Moir St, Mangawhai Village | www.BennettsChocolate.co.nz
TOP 5 - Cafés, Restaurants & Cellar Doors - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
2. Four Little Birds Patisserie & Cakes
3. Little Red Coffee
4. McLeod's Brewery & Pizza Barn
5. Gringas
Food, Beverages & Growers - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: Warkworth Butchery
With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Warkworth Butchery takes immense pride in the fact that every item available for purchase is meticulously prepared in-house, from start to finish. The extensive range of small goods boasts a majority of gluten, dairy, and MSG-free options, catering to various dietary preferences. Moreover, the butchery takes a hands-on approach by personally smoking and curing their own bacon, salami, and hams, ensuring they are free-range and nitrate-free. Owner Rob draws inspiration from a wide array of sources, often discovering new flavours in restaurants, vintage shops' signage and fonts, or even memorable catchphrases from publicans.
10 Queen St, Warkworth | www.WarkworthButchery.co.nz
TOP 5 - Food, Beverages & Growers - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. Charlies Gelato Garden
3. 8 Wired Brewery
4. Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail
5. Bohemian Cider
Food, Beverages & Growers - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Bennetts of Mangawhai
Inspired by a love for chocolate and a desire to make people happy, as well as the natural beauty and richness of Northland, the Bennetts moved from Dublin to Mangawhai to pursue their dream of making artisan chocolate with a New Zealand twist. Since Lynn, the chocolatier, arrived from Belgium last year, Bennetts has been able to introduce lots of delicious new products. They choose ingredients that are not only delicious but also from known and sustainable sources. “We love that we know who grows the fruits that flavour our chocolates, and that we hand-harvest seawater for our salted chocolate from our local beach,” says Emily.
52 Moir St, Mangawhai Village | www.BennettsChocolate.co.nz
TOP 5 - Food, Beverages & Growers - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
2. Four Little Birds Patisserie & Cakes
3. McLeod's Brewery & Pizza Barn
4. Jaques Four Square Kaiwaka
5. Kaiwaka Cheese Shop
Retail - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: Unity Collection
Owner Tania started Unity in November 2021 with a vision to bring people together to connect and empower through an authentic Māori contemporary gallery, curating high-quality art, design and fashion from leading Māori creatives. Tania says, “I am so proud of Unity, my team and Māori creators.” The purpose of Unity is to inspire entrepreneurship, connectivity, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and aroha, and Tania says the locals have embraced the Unity kaupapa and supported Unity since its opening. Tania is keen to expand their Māori artists in order to share their story-telling and culture with the community.
2 Matakana Valley Rd Matakana, Shop 5B | www.UnityCollection.co.nz
TOP 5 - Retail - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. Bach Matakana
3. Green with Envy
4. Caravan Clothing & Home
5. Nomad + Home
Retail - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Caro With Love
Born from a hobby that started on a beach-side market stall in Sydney in 2015, Caro with Love has flourished into a recognisable New Zealand brand. Environmentally conscious, they represent brands who don't want customers to take any nasties into their home, land, or skincare regimen. Caro says the support from the community has been an amazing thing, “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It's really important that we keep supporting each other and small businesses to promote our beautiful areas and keep it growing for our children’s future too.”
1b Molesworth Dr, Mangawhai | www.CaroWithLove.com
TOP 5 - Retail - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
2. Bammas Surf
3. Woodys Winners Book Shop
4. Mangawhai Opportunity Factory
5. Little Black Shed
Wellness & Beauty - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
WINNER: ECM Tattoo
It had always been a dream of Kate’s to own a tattoo business, and two-and-a-half years ago it became a reality, thanks to a supportive community and an inspiring husband. Kate says her focus at ECM is on the experience they provide for clients, not just the service but the whole package. Challenged only by how busy they are and striking that work-life balance, further expansion is what’s next for ECM. They want to open another studio, and there are big plans for the piercing and jewellery side of the business.
66 Matakana Rd, Warkworth | www.ECMTattoo.co.nz
TOP 5 - Wellness & Beauty - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. Lady Barber
3. Bali Garden
4. Avryl Kinnon Beauty Therapy
5. Acorn Chiropractic – Justine Lamb
Wellness & Beauty - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Nail Alley
A relatively new business, Nail Alley is making its mark on the Waipu community, and this nomination is a testament to that. Owner Ali says it proves all her hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed and is truly grateful to have such wonderful clients. “It’s word of mouth that has got me my client base, everyone has been so kind and supportive. Thank you Waipu.” The salon is located in a section of Ali’s garage, a space that she negotiated with her husband for, and then he subsequently built. Ali says her husband and children inspire her work, which she loves.
12 Argyle St, Waipu | www.NailAlley.co.nz
Trades & Services - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
Winner: Doggy Bush Break
Owner of the ‘best looking work van in the area”, Nicki says she wouldn’t be where she is without the support of the community. Turning to dog walking as a path back to the workforce following a head injury, Nicki soon realised the healing benefits of being in nature with the dogs, and so set up Doggy Bush Break. Despite the huge amount of driving she has to do every day, Nicki says it’s worth it to see the pure joy on the dogs’ faces when she arrives to collect them for their walks.
www.DoggyBushBreak.co.nz | www.facebook.com/DoggyBushBreak
TOP 5 - Trades & Services - South (Pakiri - Puhoi)
2. ECM Signs
3. Mahu City Express
4. The Simple Signman
5. Allens Auto Services
Trades & Services - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
WINNER: Plumbuilt Plumbing
Plumbuilt Northland is managed by Daniel who made the move to Mangawhai with his family over three years ago. “Mangawhai provides an incredible environment and is the perfect place for us to raise our three young children.” Dan says their aspirations for the business involve both growth and enjoying the journey. “Our team is the backbone of what we do, so investing in our people and their development is integral to our business. We would also like to strengthen our presence in the community and aim to give back as much as we have received.”
37 Olsen Ave, Mangawhai Heads | www.PlumBuilt.co.nz
TOP 5 - Trades & Services - North (Wellsford - Waipu)
2. Green Build Project
3. Bayleys Mangawhai
4. Wild Spirit Photography
5. Leabourns Passenger Service