A plea for Kiwis to shop locally this Christmas shopping season

Buy NZ Made is warning with ongoing economic challenges and rising costs, this looks to be the toughest Christmas on record.

Executive director Dane Ambler, says liquidations are still hitting record levels, and a third of small businesses have cut staff in the last quarter.

He says every dollar spent on local businesses has a huge ripple effect.

Ambler says it means providing essential income and livelihood for many people, as well as minimising transportation distances and emissions.