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We promised presents as part of our birthday and our thanks to everyone who has shared some of what The Big Idea means to them.

Our winners for week three are:

• Craig Parkes | his hotseat at The BizDojo Auckland. Here's what he had to say. "The Big Idea helped me network before Facebook, find cast before StarNow, and still helps me find potential work, projects, crew and employees as well as get some pretty cool news.

It helps confirm my suspicions that there is both creative industry and emerging creatives out there in New Zealand still beavering away whenever times are tough and I become uncertain of the veracity of that claim.

More importantly when I was starting out it let me know that I could become part of this creative industry before I was already a part of it, helping break that Catch-22 that used to seem so hard for up and comers to get past, but now seems a lot less difficult since The Big Idea sprung up."

• Deanna Gracie | The 'How To' pack from Te Awa Press.

Deanna says, "The Big Idea is a fantastic place to show work, build a profile and advertise news, exhibitions and events. I have utilized the website many, many times over the years - it's always the first place I visit if I want to find out about any existing opportunities within my field. I know the content is current and relevant."

• Miriam Larsen-Barr | The visual arts 'On The Move' prize including a copy of Te Papa Diary 2012 [published by Te Papa Press] and the Real Art Roadshow | The Book [Craig Potton Publishing].

She says, "The Big Idea means a way to connect with the arts world and other artists. I look through the job opportunities, share press releases, events and blogs when working on projects, and I read about what else is floating around. I'm usually popping in to check something, and I usually end up staying to read something else. :o)"

Our winners for week two are:

• Paul Smith | Nick Bollinger selects...Paul says, "The Dunedin Fringe Festival has used The Big Idea to encourage artists to get involved in the Festival. We also use the site to recruit staff and let people know what we're up to. The Big Idea is an awesome way to connect with creative people in New Zealand."

• Lainey Loye | The visual arts 'On The Move' prize including a copy of Te Papa Diary 2012 [published by Te Papa Press] and the Real Art Roadshow | The Book [published by Craig Potton Publishing].

She says, "On a regular basis I look on the big idea for jobs and opportunities locally where I get to work with clients for one off jobs, competitions and freelance work. If I get stuck for inspiration I can read what is going on in the visual world or pick something out of the generator to get my ideas flowing."

Our lucky winners for week one are:

• Anahera Gildea | her hotseat at The BizDojo Wellington. Here's what she had to say "The Big Idea was the first place I visited regularly online. It was, and is, the go-to place for what is happening in creative industries around NZ. Every time I am lost for a direction I can find my way again on The Big Idea because it is a community of ideas and people and sharing...can't think of anything that's better than that.'

• Benedict Reid | the coffee table book set of Brian Brake Lens on the World [published by Te Papa Press] and Vincent Ward: The Past Awaits [published by Craig Potton Publishing]

• Deborah McKenzie | the DVD 'Roots on the Move' from Big VOICE

• Christopher Audain and Candace Williams | a night out at LATE at the Museum

And the gifts keep coming...

Share what The Big Idea means to you, how it has helped you, what you always look for and what has inspired you.

And there are presents. Just enter the promotion on our facebook page. Each week we will run a random draw for people who have added a comment to this promo.

This week: 

Any comments added [on topic] before 5pm on Wed 19 October could win the following...

• You could have an office away from home - come and hotdesk at The BizDojo [casual desk to use 5 days a month for three months in either Auckland or Wellington]

• The How to Guides from Te Awa press...
  • How to listen to pop music | Nick Bollinger
  • How to drink a glass of wine | John Saker
  • How to look at a painting | Justin Paton
  • How to watch a bird | Steve Braunias

• The visual arts 'On The Move' prize which includes:
  • A copy of Te Papa Diary 2012 [published by Te Papa Press]
  • A copy of Real Art Roadshow | The Book [published by Craig Potton Publishing]