More than 90 Bay of Plenty checkout operators have put their skills to the test in pursuit of being crowned Foodstuffs' North Island Checker of the Year.

New World and PAK'nSAVE operators from across the region took to the stage for the regional competition at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre in Tauranga last night.

New World Westend's Holly Filipo having her skills tested during the Bay of Plenty regional of the Foodstuffs North Island Checker of the Year held last night. Photo: Supplied.

The top three checkers on the night were New World Gate Pa's Eloise Braithwaite, New World Westend's Holly Filipo and New World Brookfield's Ashley Mather.

They were each judged on their speed, presentation, customer service and accuracy as they scanned 30 items as fast as possible, while also staying friendly and composed.

Event organiser Kristie McGregor says the competition has run for more than 40 years.

'The competition is a fun night for checkers to demonstrate their fantastic customer service skills and engage in a bit of friendly competition with other stores,” explains Kristie.

'Checker of the Year is a great way to recognise and reward our checkers for the value they add to the customer experience.”

The top 12 checkers each received a $50 gift card, while the top three won extra prizes. There were also prizes for best decorated banner, best support team and best team of checkers overall.

New World Brookfield owner-operator Brendon Good says the night is all about recognising their checkers as faces of the store and celebrating their high level of customer service.

'There is a big build up to Checker of the Year,” says Brendon, 'and we even hold our own in-house competition to choose our team for the night.”

The competitors' colleagues wore costumes in the 'Kiwiana” theme of the night and cheered them on with banners, chants and store mascots.

Across the North Island there are 10 regional Checker of the Year competitions held throughout June and July.

Mystery shoppers also test each region's winner to determine one overall North Island Checker of the Year winner and two runners-up.

The overall winner will be announced at the Foodstuffs North Island Excellence Awards in November.

The top three checkers, from left: Ashley Mather, Eloise Braithwaite and Holly Filipo. Photo: Supplied.