It's Tauranga's biggest and fastest growing suburb – and it's due to grow another 20 per cent in the next five years.

However, Papamoa Plaza manager David Hill says a lot of the suburb's 22,000 residents work – and shop - out of the area.

In an effort to encourage locals to shop closer to home, Papamoa Plaza is undergoing a huge redevelopment, with the first stage set to be unveiled soon.

And local retailers Papamoa Unlimited have marked the occasion by launching a $5000 cash giveaway promotion in conjunction with The Weekend Sun.

'It's simply a way of retailers engaging with the local community,” says David.

'This is a proud suburb with a clear identity and a big bright future.

'The commercial sector obviously cares about the community and locals will sense that.”

To enter, simply buy any item from Papamoa Plaza, Fashion Island and selected surrounding stores, fill in a form and cross your fingers.

For a list of participating stores, please click here.

The $5000 cash prize will be drawn on Monday December 15 and the winner will be announced in The Weekend Sun later that week.