Whitianga locals are all in a flurry over a salted caramel, cashew, hazelnuts, homemade fudge and chocolate syrup laden milkshake.

With one month left for voting the cheekily named ‘Aww fudge I crushed my nuts' milkshake created at the Espy Cafe is coming first in the Anchor NZ Best Milkshake Competition.

The 'Aww fudge I crushed my nuts' milkshake created by Duncan Wood of Espy Cafe on the Esplanade in Whitianga. Photo: Duncan Wood

Since last December Kiwis have been called on to vote for their favourite local milkshake in four categories: best protein, best lactose-free, best smoothie or best creative combination milkshake.

The top entries from the four regions – Upper, Central and Lower North Island, and the South Island – will be decided by popular vote and they'll then be judged by milkshake aficionado Deanna Yang.

‘Aww fudge I crushed my nuts', created specifically for the competition, is currently in first place for the region which has absolutely delighted Espy Cafe owner and operator Duncan Wood.

'It's pretty cool,” says Duncan, 'for ages we weren't anywhere near the top five then all of sudden we were rising to the top.

'We've been sitting in first for around a week now and it's pretty exciting really. I just hope we can hang on to the end of the month.”

Of the name, Duncan deadpans and says it was 'inspired by the ingredients”, but does happily concede his tongue was firmly placed in his cheek when he came up with its title.

But now he has a bit of a conundrum on his hands as he's inadvertently created a number of ‘Aww fudge I crushed my nuts' addicts in Whitianga.

'I certainly wont be able to take it off the menu, it's been a huge success with the locals and the tourist crowd, we were certainly blown away with how popular it is.

'In all honesty, I think I've had one negative comment from a guy who said it was too sweet, but other than that people tell me it's the best shake they've ever had.”

Voting for the competition closes on February 28 and Duncan unashamedly wants to buy your vote.

'Come on down to the Espy Cafe and try our milkshake, I guarantee it'll be the best you've ever had!”

To cast your vote visit the Anchor NZ Best Milkshake Competition website at: www.bestmilkshake.co.nz/vote