Beloved local pooch Maxi, a 19-month-old curly-coated retriever who spends his days at the appropriately named Barking Fish jewellery store, has just won the 2014-15 award, beating his human competition.
The award was run as a fundraiser by the Port Chalmers School Parent-Teacher Association and Maxi touted for votes by holding a bucket in his mouth and collecting money from shop-goers and people in George St, the town's main street.
His owner, Noi Sasithorn White, who operates the store, said Maxi ''loved'' collecting for charity and was popular with locals and visitors.
He was especially well-liked by cruise ship visitors, some of who missed their dogs back home.
For his success, Maxi won Ms Sasithorn White a Samsung tablet and a special dog treat for himself.
Maxi's eagerness to collect for charity has continued since winning the award and yesterday he was collecting for the Fire Service.
After getting the signal ''Back to work'' from Mrs Sasithorn White, he dutifully picked up his collection bucket and was back on the job.
