Northland Chamber of Commerce looking for the Big Idea for Northland!
The Northland Chamber of Commerce is looking for the big idea to put forward the Northland Jobs Summit next week.
Please enter your 'Big Idea' by clicking the comments link below
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28 comments:
Completing the Te-Aroa walkway in Northland
Establish a Possum Processing Industry and use traps rather than 1080 poison and set up in one of the many empty factories in Whangarei eg Pat Gavins and use the fur for insulation and the meat for pet food.
Create a series or scenic drive of outdoor art sculptures
/experiences throughout Northlands beautiful landscape. As a part of the twin coast discovery journey let people be inspired/surprised and teased through our landscapes with art and dreams from its local artists. Let the people who live in it see there is reason to dream and reason to hope. This will drive our our tourism industry giving it an alternative arm aside from water based experiences and coerce our tourists into adventuring into Northlands secret places. To have a vision you must have dreams to have dreams you must create dreamers.
Greg Currie
give all the dole recipients a community based job to assist with the needs of Northland.
This will give them the spirit needed to hold their heads high in the community as they will be given recognition of being a part of a caring community.
ALL residents & consumers should be adding value to their community - not just sucking the good bits!!!
Other wise we could drug test them & all that fail (pass) are dropped off our great social system!!!
We talk to much about fixing things when action is what is needed.
My idea is to bring back the trains to Northland. This will result in new jobs, reduced freight and transport costs, with the opportunity for more manufacturing businesses to be set up in the north. Also train transport for tourists and norhtland residents.
Build a substantial travellers accommodation facility in Kerikeri on the site behind the John Butler Centre in Butler Road which land already already has resource consent. If Council would agree to participate by making the land available, process a building consent promptly, and the project had support from the local community
we could be in construction within 6/9 months.
This project would provide a significant number of jobs for the local construction industry, and supporting trades and suppliers, and be of long term benefit to the tourism industry.
An important public announcement will be made shortly in relation to the Crystal Waters development at Cable Bay.
Regards
Chris Hook
I like the comment left by Greg Currie. We need to get unemployed people out doing sometihing worthwhile in the community. There are many many ways they could assist.
Get our city streets cleaned up for one. The huge amount of cigarette butts in our drains is absolutely disgusting!
Remember where the stormwater goes..to the sea.
Come on Northland let's get smart.
AQUACULTURE
A big idea for Northland is to get the Aquaculture Industry going.
We have a very large coast, lots of opportunities.
NIWA at the old Power Station with lots of IP.
Perhaps you could ask your forum to identify the road blocks preventing this.
This is perhaps a bit more medium to long term.
However, there is a massive economic benefit issue here for the Northland.
JOHN KEYS CYCLEWAY
Opus has put a proposal forward to assist with the Cycle way.
This could be good for Northland mainly as we are long and thin in geography, thus a comparatively long cycle way.
DOLE LABOUR UTILISATION
How about cleaning up Northland using those on the dole.
Get them to do some work that otherwise is unaffordable but will benefit the region.
You'd need enough funding to add to this to make it work.
Alternatively, I'm sure there is enough staff in Council's and Council providers that could achieve the management of this.
The first job would be to clean up the vegetation in the road approaches to Whangarei.
How about cleaning up the streams through Whangarei in support of the Councils 20/20 Vision Emerald Necklace Concept.
Perhaps we could clean up alongside the rail corridor through Whangarei, I think this is part of the WDC walking and cycling strategy.
You could focus on assisting the WDC Walking and Cycling strategy as this is never going to happening in the current Council Financial Environment.
I've been involved with using this sort of labour (eg. Task Force Green workers) in the past when I was the manager of Works Infrastructure.
This is a very tricky thing to make happen.
NORTHLAND
Most trials start in Northland.
"Good things start at the top".
Cheers
Peter Houba
Extend the proposed highway 1 cycleway to the twin coast discovery route, and market that as a coordinated tourism venture with existing tourism operators. Northlands equivalent of the Otago Rail Trail, Northland becomes a world recognised cycle destination. Add to that with cycle events to boost profile.
Here are some ideas:
*Establish a 'buy local/produce local' system encouraging the every single dollar to be 're-cycled' within the community before leaving it.
*Establish a series of Social enterprises.
*Establish a widespread support system for commercial operators of all sorts to reduce energy usage. Savings to be done :)
*Farms to start producing biofuel as a side production that at the same time may mitigate their 'run off' problems
*Establish micro financing fund to support new initiatives that will strengthen the local communities
I think it is time that people on the dole should have to work for their benefit...too long we have allowed and encouraged an attitude of "the dole is my right". I know and know of very capable people who choose not to work, but instead enjoy a lifestyle on the benefit.
Beneficiaries could assist schools, hopsitals, cleaning of parks and beaches, meals on wheels etc...this would assist people in learning new skills and gaining self confidence.
I like the possum idea...what a great non toxic way to get rid of a pest (and possum fur feels great)
Power generation using the large quantities of water that fall on Northland each year. This would create a lot of on going jobs. Also large suitable and truely multipurpose event locations to bring large events to northland so people experience our beautiful location.
I like the possum idea.
We need to look at the Resource Management Act to allow more innovative ideas to come to reality. Take the Dargaville swimming pool problems..that will cost jobs, extra money and a lot of stress!
We need to encourage progress and stop minority groups spoiling progress for our community.
Seems to me that we need to figure out what our assets and liabilities are:
So, Northland is a stunning piece of Aotearoa – tourists flock here. Maximise the dollar spend by increasing the skill set of the hospitality and service industry. Skilled staff – perhaps trained using local bond grants and internships at the northern restaurants and wineries – are the way in which you can upsell at the counter. Local staff are key in giving the “out of towner” that local experience. If you went to France how would you feel about being served by someone from Eketahuna? Reducing the barriers to tourism spend in the north is a great way to ensure employment for the people of the north. By both bringing more people here – to experience the North, not just look at a Hole in a rock or a lighthouse – will be helpful on both sides. Locals won’t leave to go to Auckland or Perth, and hence contribute to the economy.
Aquaculture is a biggy – but so is horticulture and agriculture. These three things can be assisted so that the value added remains in Northland. The Kingfish farmed, processed, sold, cooked and put on a plate with fresh local salad and olive oil, drunk down with a really nice Northland Chardonnay ( you can guess what I do..) is the result. Getting the third party recommendation to the rest of the world requires assistance and energy.
Actively campaign to bring more tourists here – but first think about what we can do (maximise the return on the asset) and what we need to minimise the barriers to the goal (minimise liability risk)
Its time for the WDC to do their bit to stave off recession at limited cost to rate payers. First drop the developement levy on new commercial buildings to stimulate building activity.
Then building on the success of the town basin tourist theme rezone Port Road (riverfront) from the roundabout to Uniteds old yards for "board walk development". Thro out the 27m set back and get innovative. Arrange seed capital. Create a master plan and have WDC freehold land at realistic prices to any owners who will build within guidelines to fit the master plan. Bring the public on board, clear the area quickly by regulating out car painters,wreckers,engineering etc from our best water front land Provide strong incentives for developers to provide a new purpose built industrial park in the vicinity to house these businesses for a win win situation.
Be seen as a city moving ahead.
A photographic competition that captures/celebrates Northland's 'R' - resilience. Set up a website, so people can post their photo/short video on line.
Put some media hype behind it, choose some of the best images and take them on tour.
Lets show the world that Northland is positive, the light is on, that we are not buying into the recession - we are re(a)cessing, planning for a bright future, that you can come and do business in Northland and be guaranteed to be working with a vibrant community.
Like attracts like.
Success breeds success.
So lets keep breeding..
Re-energizing
Re-vitalising
Re-freshing
Recess - a holiday between sessions of work.
Tania McInnes
Let’s create a high impact TV campaign which will put Northland firmly back on the map, make every Northlander proud to live here and inspire others to want to live, work or visit this great region of oursThe ‘Keep Northland Working’ campaign will be in two stages:
Stage 1- PR and media involvement during May, June to generate excitement amongst the general public to create their own 60 second videos of their best Northland experience or secret place or favourite Northland pastime and so on. Anyone can upload their video on to the northlandnz.com website (and others) for everyone to see. The videos will be voted on in July, with the overall winner being presented with a fantastic prize (e.g. a boat) and the best videos being the basis for the 15 second television commercials. We envisage there to be around 4 – 5 TVC executions.
Stage 2 – The TV campaign will be branded:
LIFE’S TOO SHORT
HEAD NORTH
The concept is simple and contemporary, using the best videos playing on an old TV in centre screen, set in a typical northland scene. The TVCs will be produced in August and early September 09 then go to air late September for 6 to 8 weeks (and again in Autumn 10). The TVCs will include a call to action, directing viewers to the northlandnz website to see “this week’s red hot spring deals”.
Spring Deals - These deals can be posted on the website from any business sector – they can be great travel deals, tyres on sale, property bargain of the week, grabaseat flights, investment deals etc.
Fundraising – equal input from Council for every dollar put in by private industry and the general public. $200,000 in total is needed for the Spring 09 and Autumn 10 campaigns, including production and advertising costs. During April/May, every business in Northland will be asked to donate at least $10, with bigger businesses chipping in bigger donations. Every private individual to donate a dollar. Schools, colleges, community groups, business associations will be involved to create ‘buy-in’ of every Northlander.
The Benefits
Stimulating and motivating local and regional business.
Improve the image of Northland as THE place to live and work.
Increase domestic tourism, not only keeping the dollar in NZ but bringing it to Northland.
Providing investment opportunities.
Further explore and develop the opportunities around Northland;s walking tracks. Widely promote and market these to both domestic and international markets.
Create a cycle-way in Whangarei running alongside the streams
Do more to promote the Zion Wildlife Gardens as a major tourist destination in Northland. The park has a global following as a result of the TV series Lion Man but is not well promoted because of past controversies. The park is now under new management and deserves a second chance. Last year 16,000 people visited the gardens which would no doubt have contributed significantly to Whangarei's economy through accommodation, dining etc.
I think optimising the parking area by the riverside bridge would give a better look to the town. We should be charging people to park there. While it's nice to have somewhere free to park it's revenue that's being missed out on.
Buy local, think global
Buying Local:
As a nation, we spend overseas far more than we earn, so we need to make an effort to change this if we want a more balanced economy that provides real and lasting employment and investment opportunities. Local industry in Whangarei has a low profile. A good idea would be use the vacant NRC building as a display area to advertise manufacturing businesses (and the service sector that supports them). The cost of setting it up and running it to be covered by Councils (Regional and District), on a dollar for dollar basis spent by business. No major structural changes are necessary, and the building would still be available for a museum of some kind in the future. Sadly, this looks a long way off and the building has not been earning its keep.
Thinking Global:
We need to keep an eye on the big picture of what is happening outside our national borders. We have been borrowing money from countries that restrict our access to their markets and they have been lending their trade surpluses back to us to buy their products in our more open market. We have also been using these funds to invest in price inflated housing. Thinking through the consequences of our purchases will (I hope) make us see that, until fair trade practices become the norm, we can make a real financial difference locally to our own economy.
Cheers Dave Wolland
Northland has amazing outdoor recreaton but very limited indoor facilities (and it rains a lot). Cycling is becoming more & more popular. To complement the new world class BMX track and our wonderful mountain bike tracks, we should build an indoor cycling velodrome (like Southland's one). Would be an attraction drawing people from right across the North Island and also open up a new sport for Northlanders.
Nice to have John, but we face an economic crisis - we need ideas to get us out of debt and into more long term employment.
Support DoC in an effort to build the 10th Great Walk in New Zealand from Spirits Bay to Te Paki.
The route already exists but parts will need much work to bring it up to Great Walk standard. Northland has points of interest that do not feature in other Great Walks such as high sand dunes, long sandy beache, spectacular sea views and maori cultural sites. This could be an 'ícon' 3 day walk with high quality camping facilities that would attract tourists and New Zealanders. The construction phase could employ local labour and when completed would provide opportunities for locals in providing accomodation, transport and guiding.
Keep working keep spending keep suporting Whangarei
I agree with the volunteer requirement for receiving a benefit. Our volunteer services are severely lacking in people power - by having to volunteer people on a benefit will boost their self worth and esteem, learn new skills, meet new people and free up the working "volunteers". (However all volunteers would need to be screened both by police and for drug use on a regular basis).
Improving our main SH and major tourist attraction roads is a must. Why not light the whole of the state highway, from tip of north to bottom of south island - safer night driving, use solar panels for providing the light? combine this with a bike lane and what could be better - you can safely bike night or day and see more of NZ.
More campgrounds and "cheap family entertainment" will draw more people from areas like Auckland and will increase spending here in the north. Family packages for the holidays would be a great idea - affordable packages that include accomodation, meals, and 3 or 4 different activities - businesses could network together to form these packages and sell them to auckland families - they must be kept to a minimum with money being made by the number of packages being sold. while here they will shop at our local shops and increase our local revenue.
Another idea - make some of the more expensive local tourist attractions free or a minimum charge for local people only. Once there, these people WILL spend money on other things - they WILL spread good stories on their experience, etc. Vouchers, etc could go out with rates bills, etc. We can encourage locals to stay local when spending their hard earned money - we have to compete against all the hot travel deals and packages which are drawing locals away and getting them to spend elsewhere.
My two cents worth anyway.
Why do we as the major city in Northland not have a decent venue for big ticket concerts? We could host many events with a suitable events centre, including rock concerts, etc eliminating the current need to have to travel to Auckland.
By attracting bigger events and persons we will automatically generate more revenue. the venue would need to be as large as the cake tin in wellington or the vectro arena in Auckland and cater for all weather - lets start investing there.
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