The Choicest Awards: Celebrating the Best of Aotearoa

Over the past few months, it has been fantastic to see Kiwi really rally together, sharing and supporting their favourite spots in Aotearoa. We received over 130,000 votes and after a very tight competition, we are pleased to announce the winners of Trade Me Property’s People’s Choicest!

We're kicking things off with the Choicest Suburb, a hotly contested category with Morrinsville, Pāpāmoa, and Southshore all vying for the top spot. Ultimately, the winner is Pāpāmoa, New Zealand's answer to the Gold Coast. With its long, white sandy beaches, the Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park, and shopping hubs like Pāpāmoa Plaza, there's something for everyone. This Tauranga suburb boasts a population of 37,800, making it the city's largest and fastest-growing. The average asking price for a property as of January 2025 is $976,200.

We all remember the joy of a good playground, whether your favourite was the roundabout, the swings, or, if you were lucky, a flying fox. Playgrounds have come a long way since then!

The three nominated playgrounds were all strong contenders, but the winner of the Choicest Playground is the Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch, an impressive 2.5-hectare site. Built after the Christchurch earthquakes, this playground was essential for bringing play back into the city. This huge playground offers something for everyone, with climbing hills, bouncing floors, spider webs, a giant slide, sandpits, and quiet spaces for those seeking a break from the activity.

The local dairy is often the heart and soul of a community. Craving chocolate? Pop down to the dairy. Forgot milk for breakfast? A quick trip to the dairy solves the problem. And who can put a price on seeing the same friendly face behind the counter every time? We love our dairies, but which one reigns supreme?

This year, the Darfield Dairy took the crown. This is quite an achievement for a small town with a population of around 3,000. Known as "the home of the big ice cream," they offer not one, not two, but three large freezers full of ice cream.

When you've got to go, you've got to go! Thankfully, Kiwi appreciate a good public toilet. We received a plethora of nominations and narrowed it down to three. Matakana, Hundertwasser in Kawakawa and the Superloo in Taupo. With the winner being the iconic and tourist attraction the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa which attract around 250,00 visitors annually. We suspect they are photographed more often than they are used!

When you think of Aotearoa New Zealand, you think of the lush greenery and native flora and fauna. And we have so much to offer! Choosing the best bush was a challenge, but one stood out: the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. This 307-hectare protected cloud forest, enclosed by a special predator-resistant fence, is home to some of Aotearoa's most special wildlife, including kākā, New Zealand falcons, takahē, tuatara, and more.

Aotearoa is known worldwide for its beautiful flora and fauna, as highlighted in the Bush category. But what about the man-made landmarks that make New Zealand unique?

The winner, and a tasty beverage to boot, is the L&P bottle, which stands at an impressive 7.8 meters tall.

Aotearoa New Zealand is built on a rich culture and great people, and our Local Legend category showcased just that. We received nominations for so many incredible individuals, but two stood out: Coach J (Jenniene Flemming) and Taka Peters. The voting was so close that we decided both of these legends deserve the award.

"Rain or shine, he's out there, and he truly deserves all the blessings in the world. He's a true legend."

"She advocates for mental health and firmly believes exercise is a great way to cope with the pressures of society. It's where I go to forget my worries and stresses for an hour and a half each week."

How lucky we are to have people like that in our communities!