Award for owners who support town

WELL DONE: Owner of New World Carterton, Katie Yates with New World Managers and the Business Award

Creating a sense of community is at the forefront of Jeff and Katie Yates' minds.

The owner/operators of New World Carterton won the Business Award at the annual Charles Rooking Carter awards on Saturday.

The awards are touted as honouring extraordinary locals who contribute to the community in a positive way.

"It is an honour being nominated, we were quite blown away to get it," Mrs Yates said.

The pair have previously owned New World stores in Mr Yates' home town of Wairoa in Hawke's Bay and more recently in Masterton.

Mrs Yates said her husband's family has always been involved in retail ventures and owned a dairy in Hawkes Bay - while she has a background in finance, creating the "perfect match".

They have now owned New World Carterton for nine years - first setting up in 2005.

The sense of community drew the pair to Carterton and they are continuing to add to that feeling by sponsoring local sports teams, schools and events.

"We feel it is part of the responsibility of big business to contribute in small communities."

Mrs Yates thanked New World staff and customers in Carterton and said without them the pair wouldn't have won the award.