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The team, called Wheelers and Dealers, won the competition’s first prize of $1000. They are Jenna Deere, Amarprett Singh, Rachel Jackson, Simeon Hopkins and Jake Wheeler.

“The prize money will be used to further develop our product,” said team member Jenna Deere.

Eight teams had five minutes each to present their products to a panel of three judges, followed by a three-minute question and answer session.

The Wheelers and Dealers team got the judges to use the prototype of the butterstick for themselves, to see how easily it spreads butter.

The pitch began by espousing the benefits of using the butterstick to “apply your butter on to your toast in one quick motion, in an even creamy layer”.

The team said the target market included children, as it was easy to use and could even be useful for people with arthritis in their hands. It would also be targeted at campers, trekkers and picnickers they said.

The evening was a great success, said event organiser Lana Bevan, regional co-ordinator for Gisborne Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve had a lot of positive feedback. There were some amazing pitching performances from teams in what was an all-round outstanding achievement by the students.

“I’m so impressed with the calibre of their presentations, particularly the first-timers. Students were a little nervous, but I think I was more nervous for them and as a newcomer to the role myself.”

Second place went to Torrac Film Festival from Campion College and third place to Project Ataahua, a city art murals concept presented by a team from Gisborne Girls’ High School. They received prize money of $500 and $250 for second and third.

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