To help New Zealand small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), we are offering staff $100 to #PayItForward at their favourite local shop or small business, as alert level restrictions severely impact trading for many businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Following similar moves by companies including NZME, Stuff and Radically, we are hoping other corporates get onboard and join the #PayItForward movement by gifting staff money to spend at a local business of their choosing, so they can pay for additional items for the next customers and support great local businesses.

Joe Goddard, Experience & Commercial Director, Vodafone NZ, explains: “Covid has changed the game and we know many small businesses are feeling the pain from extended lockdowns - especially shops, hairdressers, gyms and hospitality outlets, to name a few. We want to do our part to help stimulate trade, so are offering Vodafone employees $100 to pay it forward at their favourite local business.

“We’re encouraging our team to buy $100 worth of additional products for future customers. For example, so their favourite café could give out a free donut with coffee, local florist can upsize some bouquets, personal trainer can do a free session to secure a new customer, or to say thanks to hairdressers who are probably taking longer to trim those post-lockdown locks!

“We are asking our team to share their #PayitForward moment on social media to spread the word and give some kudos to awesome local businesses.

“We’re also putting the challenge out to other corporates to get behind the Pay It Forward movement and support Kiwi SMEs.”

Vodafone staff are asked to indicate their willingness to participate by 22 October. They’ll then get the $100 to spend before Friday 17 December and share their #PayItForward moment on their social media channel of choice, such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Workplace.