2025 Hawkes Bay awards party!

READ AND WIN $50 VOUCHER GIVEAWAY! PLUS CHECK THE READER PRIZE WINNER FROM LAST TIME! DETAILS AT THE END.

Welcome back! The week after Christchurch, on Monday 20^th October was our first-ever Hawkes Bay awards party. This was a special event to say thanks to all Hawkes Bay staff, across all four shops, for their incredible efforts as one team to open the Heretaunga shop.

Heretaunga has exceeded our high expectations. However, without the commitment of everyone from Hastings, Napier Carlyle and Napier Onekawa who helped – and their teammates who kept customers at our three existing shops happy – Heretaunga could not have been such a successful opening. Thanks so much team Hawkes Bay!

And this team knows how to party – 70+ staff filled Shani’s in Taradale with a sea of yellow energy! The close-knit group went all out, with everyone getting into the yellow theme and energetically celebrating their teammates’ achievements. And speaking of team, just like Christchurch there was lots of team spirit on show – such as Napier Carlyle St staff all dressed as minions and partner manager Takashi-san as Gru… brilliant!

And the Heretaunga crew clearly love the movie Up, and just getting dressed up in general!

Amid the fun, there were some serious prizes to give out.

For a small region, Hawkes Bay punches above its weight in the national awards. Last year, Eugene from Hastings was named bento Manager of the Year. Eugene has just moved to Heretaunga, but his successor Momoka-san was second place national bento assistant manager!

Befitting a special event, the party had special guests – Hiromi-san and Yoshie-san! They were in Hastings for 13 years before moving back to Christchurch to open Yaldhurst shop in September, but made a surprise visit to celebrate their team.

The energy levels peaked with the traditional costume competition, and our staff’s creativity did not disappoint! Check out the photo parade – and see you soon!

READ AND WIN!
Congratulations to Ming Yang from Lincoln Road, who won her choice of one $50 WOOLWORTHS VOUCHER or a DOUBLE PASS MOVIE VOUCHER at Hoyts or Event Cinemas for her answer last time.

This week we’re giving away the same prize.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
How many awards parties did we hold in 2025?

Entries close at 12 noon on Monday 2 February 2026.

Please comment with your answer, your name and shop name.
Competiton open to St Pierres staff only.