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The trade fair is their first chance to showcase their products to the public and ring up some sales. The teams were judged on presentation, marketing and financial controls. Customers were also able to vote for their favourite business.

The judges awarded the top prize to Parakore, a Kerikeri High School team which makes cleansing tea from manuka, orange rind and kawakawa leaf.

Chief executive Shannen Frear, 17, put their win down to hard work.

"We believe you get out what you put in, and we've worked extremely hard to earn our success."

The customer choice title went to Hopu Ahurea, a Springbank School team which produces frames for 3D art such as wire sculptures and recycled LPs decorated with Kiwiana-themed stencils.

Wilson Baker, 18, said the company's aim was to provide another outlet for Northland artists and counter the sale of imported souvenirs. It also meant artists could focus on creating art while they took care of framing and getting their work into shops.

Concern for the environment featured in many of this year's student businesses.

Far North Possum Killers - with members drawn from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Taumarere, Whangaroa College, Taipa Area and Kerikeri High schools - builds rat, stoat and possum traps and has its own pest control area at Wainui Bay.

Money made from the sale of possum fur goes back into the pest trapping operation.

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