Aquinas College’s Buzz’n Buff has been named the Tauranga Bay of Plenty Regional Winner at the 2025 Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Regional Finals, held at Papamoa Surf Club last month.
The three-person Year 13 team — Sahara Hutchesson, Noah Ball, and Cullen Anderson — developed Buzz’n Buff, an all-natural, beeswax-based shoe polish designed especially for cadets. The idea was sparked by Cullen’s own experience as an Air Force Cadet struggling to find a polish that was affordable, effective, and environmentally friendly.
Their solution stood out to judges for its strong sustainability values and market-ready design. Buzz’n Buff uses locally sourced ingredients, is ethically produced under NZFAP and APCO standards, and sells for just $10 — a fraction of the price of imported alternatives. The product has already found a loyal following among New Zealand Cadet Forces, with over 90 cadets across Air, Army, and Navy branches polishing their boots with pride.
The trio will now represent the Bay of Plenty at the YES National Finals in Wellington on December 4, competing against the country’s top student companies. It is the second year in a row that Aquinas has won the BOP contest.
