Volunteers were out in force yesterday selling poppies in the lead-up to Anzac Day next Thursday.
They were doing brisk businesses in towns throughout the district as young and old opened their wallets to donate to a cause which has remained strong in the New Zealand psyche for almost 100 years.
Money gathered from the sale goes to poppy trusts throughout the country to be used to provide practical support for men and women who have served, and their families.
Last year $1.8m was raised by poppy sales.
