Small, locally owned businesses are still under pressure due to the fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Kiwis are being asked to make a big impact by choosing small in Aotearoa New Zealand’s first Small Business Day, which will take place on Friday, April 9.

The Government is doing its bit to pump billions of dollars into the country but perhaps the most important thing is people supporting local businesses by spending their money in their community. 

Your local coffee shop may look like they are open for business as usual, but the truth is many are operating at a loss at the moment. 

The future looks continually uncertain, in economic terms, and spending a little now will go a long way to helping local businesses weather the economic storm yet to come. 

I am not saying every single one of us should only buy locally, I am saying if you can do just a little bit, it will go a long way. 

I encourage you to consider making some spending changes and look to support local businesses.

For me, my father was a vet in a rural town and he taught me the ethos of buying locally whenever I could.

Local farmers paid him to look after their animals, and in turn, we bought local produce wherever we could to support them. 

Supporting local businesses means supporting your local community.

The same went for any local business - if he could see them around town often enough, give them a wave if he recognised them (he was horrible at remembering names, like me), he would support them.

Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan told me during the week that small business forms the cornerstone of the local economy.

“I get challenged a lot by people about empty stores in our towns and the obvious solution is that we buy local where possible; keeping local money in local pockets and supporting local jobs.”

In today’s world, where people are busier than ever before and things are more expensive, people can be forgiven for shopping for bargains, which often takes them online or further afield to bigger stores which service bigger populations. 

Economics dictates larger stores selling larger amounts of goods can buy larger quantities at cheaper, bulk prices from wholesalers. 

Makes sense. 

But when you spend your money locally, the money trickles back into your community. 

Not only does it flow on, as the business owners and employees can spend that money locally again, but those people are often your neighbours, your friends, your community. 

In turn, that person may spend their money with the business you own or work for. 

Many of our local businesses give sponsorship to local sporting clubs, teams and events. 

It becomes an interdependent cycle which leads to a greater degree of self-sufficiency. 

In today’s world, with crisis after crisis in the present or perhaps on the horizon, the most effective thing you can do is to shop locally to ensure the health of your local economy. 

Local businesses also give communities character.

Try to imagine Central Otago without some of the iconic pubs, restaurants, wineries, cafes or any long-term business. 

It just wouldn’t be the same. Especially when some of these business owners and businesses have been here for generations.

The benefits of shopping local aren’t just economical, they are social. 

The person you buy your groceries from could be the person who helps your repair your blown tyre, or rescue you on a tramp. 

They may or may not know your name, but they’ll remember your face. 

We aren’t all in the same boat, but we are in the same ocean and your helping hand can go a long way to ensure somebody doesn’t sink.

Get involved in Small Business Day, Friday April 9. Businesses and shoppers can get involved here.

The prizes on Small Business Day include 5x S20 smartphones from 2degrees, a 12-month Xero premium subscription, $100,000 of instant prizes and five $10,000 small business shopping sprees for lucky shoppers.

To enter the draw, Kiwis are being asked to:

• Make at least one purchase with a small business on Friday April 9
• Share a photo or screenshot of that purchase on social media 
• tag @smallbusinessdaynz and use the hashtag #choosesmallnz.

Small Business owners are being asked to pin their business on the map. Five small businesses that put their business on the map will win $10,000 cash.