OfficeMax is calling for final nominations for its annual A Day Made Better programme: a national search for New Zealand's most exceptional primary and intermediate school teachers that closes July 4.

The campaign has already received a huge response with hundreds of touching nominations received to date.

Fifteen extraordinary teachers from across the country will be surprised and thanked for their efforts by the OfficeMax A Day Made Better team. Winners will be selected from nominations by their peers and presented with $1000 worth of OfficeMax arts and crafts, stationery and office supplies for their classroom.

OfficeMax New Zealand’s General Manager (Education), Dr Suzanne Flannagan, said the programme really highlights the number of passionate and dedicated teachers there are in New Zealand.

“OfficeMax wants to find the exceptional teachers who are going above and beyond the call of duty for their schools. There is still time to show these teachers we’ve noticed their hard work and want to provide them the recognition they deserve,” Dr Flannagan said.

“We’d really love parents and students, who reap the benefits of such amazing teachers, to contact their local schools and let them know what a great job they do, and suggest they receive a nomination.

“Our team is always excited to get behind and support the A Day Made Better campaign. OfficeMax staff members in the past have received the most incredible and moving welcomes from schools and are often treated to impromptu songs or performances of the Haka,” she said.

It is not uncommon for teachers to stretch themselves to ensure their pupils are receiving the best possible education. These individuals often sacrifice time with their own families to benefit their classrooms.

A Day Made Better is a global programme run by OfficeMax that began in the US in 2007.  It has garnered the support of high-profile celebrities including Audrina Patridge, Cynthia Nixon and Demi Lovato.  

In the past three years, New Zealand has really made the programme its own, growing the eight surprises it delivered when it first started in 2011, to 15 that it will deliver in September.

Nominations close on the 4th July 2014, and recipients will be thanked with a surprise celebration in September 2014.  Winners will be selected by an esteemed judging panel which again includes members from the New Zealand Principals’ Federation.  

Principals, teachers and school administrators can nominate primary or intermediate school teachers through the websiteadaymadebetter.co.nz