Trade Me Property, in collaboration with brand activation agency Because ANZ, has launched a campaign to discover New Zealand's favourite suburb, playground, bush, dairy, and public toilet.

The campaign, dubbed the 'People’s Choicest Awards', aims to celebrate the Kiwi way of life and crown the country's best, as voted by Kiwis themselves. The competition spans seven categories: Choicest Suburb, Playground, Bush (shrub or tree), Dairy, Public Toilet, Landmark, and Local Legend.

The campaign is not about the most affluent suburb or prestigious school, but rather about the magic and joy found in local neighbourhoods. Actors, comedians, and influencers, Harrison Keefe and Nepia Vaeaui Takuira-Mita, known for their viral 'come vibe with us' dance videos, will embark on a nationwide tour in January to visit finalists and create content to drive online voting.

Trade Me Property customer director, Gavin Lloyd, said: “The People’s Choicest isn’t about the poshest suburb, fanciest school or best cafe - it’s about the magic and joy that can be found right outside our front door, all around the motu. At Trade Me Property we know that home isn’t just about where you sleep, it’s about how you live. By highlighting some of our most-loved local icons, we hope to inspire Kiwi to imagine new possibilities for how they could live, with every street, suburb and region having potential.”

Business director NZ at Because, Corinna Homer, said: “This campaign has been an absolute joy to bring to life because it’s all about celebrating the quirks and charms of Kiwi living. From the best bush to the top public loo, The People’s Choicest Awards are as uniquely Aotearoa as it gets. We’re thrilled to partner with Trade Me Property to highlight what makes our communities special, and we can’t wait to see the nation get behind their local legends and hidden treasures.”

Trade Me Property's head of marketing, Shelley Smith, said: “We know from recent research that after a tough year, amid all the economic doom and gloom, people are ready for brands to be playful and have a bit of fun. The People’s Choicest aims to provide a glimpse of how Kiwi live through discovery of the charm in their own backyards. We understand for many Kiwi home ownership is part of a longer-term plan, so we hope to inspire that journey by celebrating how we live in Aotearoa and encourage them to dream-scroll Trade Me Property.

“From curating the categories to managing the tour and final celebration, every detail has been crafted to engage, entertain, and bring people and their towns together. Working alongside Because, we have built a campaign that will highlight some of our most-loved local icons, inspiring Kiwi to imagine new possibilities for where and how they could live."

Nominations for Trade Me Property’s People’s Choicest awards are open now until 29 December. Voting will begin in mid-January with winners and celebrations starting from February.