In response to Darrell Hellier's letter (The Weekend Sun, December 3), you sound as though you've been burned by some small business, and for that I apologise, but I think you've got a pretty bitter view.

I work for a small business (and a locally-owned, family-operated one at that) and I personally see the stress that local businesses go through – even without additional Covid pressure.

Yes, some small businesses can struggle to stay on top of emails or phone calls, but I can tell you this: you often get a more personalised experience, email replies at all hours of the day, and a lot more flexibility when it comes to ordering product or working out a time for a service.

How do you think big businesses became big businesses? Not many of them start out as multi-location ‘big box' businesses. If you kill local business with lack of support, you'll soon see the consequences.

Small businesses make up the majority of businesses in New Zealand, employ 29 per cent of the workforce and contribute more than a quarter of our gross domestic profit (all of this information can be found at: business.govt.nz).

I for one go out of my way to support small, and will continue to do so.

Small business is in Kiwi's DNA, and it is part of what makes New Zealand a wonderful place to live.

Kia kaha small businesses, keep doing what you're doing.

Fay McGrath, Greerton (abridged).