FAST
FORWARD
NORTHLAND A Snapshot of Our Future October 2020
Caring for Northland since 1988
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FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
3
CONTENTS
10
4
4
Resilience builds with shared vision for future of region
6
Keeping us connected
8
Stepping up
10 To look forward 11 2020 What a year! 12 An original home to love in the north
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17
13 A word from Dr Shane Reti QSM 14 Chainsaw massacre or environmental stewardship? 15 Gas works & Plumbling 16 Northland Community Foundation supporting Te Tai Tokerau into the Future
11 8
17 Future Farmers of Northland 18 Northland Tourism 19 Health or the Economy
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FASTFORWARD
4
NORTHLAND
RESILIENCE BUILDS with
shared vision for future of region Flood protection work in the Awanui River.
By Donna Russell
“Our Northland Together We Thrive“ is the vision of the Northland Regional Council.
I
t is perhaps more poignant than usual as the world endures a global pandemic which is testing the resilience of regional economies and health systems. The next decade will hold challenges that are unprecedented in recent memory. But there will also be opportunities. Northland Regional Council chair Penny Smart says the council has started work on developing the region’s new Long Term Plan and consulting with the community will start in earnest early next year. The Long Term Plan is reviewed every three years and sets out what the priorities are, what services can be delivered and how it is paid for. Planning for the next three,
10 and 30 years is a real balancing act, especially in these challenging times. Initial feedback has highlighted that the health of Northland’s waterways remains a top priority for many people. Floods and drought were identi!ied as Northland’s main risks and are closely linked with climate change. Penny says a lot of freshwater legislation is a big part of the forecasted work but there are also exciting land-based projects which are associated with water quality. She cited as an example the Sustainable Hill Country and Regional Priorities (Sharp) which is a project supported by funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries to target Northland’s erosion issues. More than 60 percent of the region is classi!ied as highly susceptible to erosion, with the sediment created affecting the quality of water downstream and in harbours.
NRC staff keep an eye on water flows in Northland rivers and streams.
NRC Chair Penny Smart sees opportunities for Northland.
The project is helping deliver farm planning, increased engagement with landowners and communities and tree planting for soil conservation. Land retirement and assisted regeneration is also being supported as part of this project. The Kaipara Moana Remediation Project is another major boost to help clean up New Zealand’s biggest natural harbour. The $300 million 10-year plan involves co-governance between Kaipara Uri, NRC and AUC, that will operate in collaboration with landowners, agencies, industry, and the wider community, all working together to restore the huge catchment. Jobs for Nature is another major initiative to provide more jobs and economic support for communities through New Zealand, a $1.3 billion programme set up as part of the Covid-19 recovery package. Projects will target conservation, improving biosecurity, large-scale planting, freshwater improvement and catchment group projects. Penny says the council is keen to work with businesses and organisations on collaborations through its economic agency Northland Inc. Set up in 2012, Northland Inc is a Council Controlled Organisation of the NRC and a limited liability company. The agency’s work is organised around !ive work programmes, including business innovation and growth, investment and infrastructure, Maori economic development, regional promotion and tourism and the Tai
Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan. “Resilience will be needed in the community and in all of the work we do environmentally and for the small to medium businesses in our region. We have always needed resilience but the pandemic and the recent drought have really highlighted this,’’ she says. Northland Inc aims to facilitate contacts, taking enquiries and working with people to help them with their projects. “With Covid-19, they are busier than ever and have really worked hard to help businesses under pressure in the region.’’ The team works with the Ministry of Social Development, Te Puni Kokiri and other departments and community groups to lead strategic growth for Northland. Regional initiatives include Extension 350, which is a farmer-led mentoring and extension programme designed to lift profitability, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on Northland farms; The Pick which is a business ideas challenge to support people with a passion to turn their business ideas into reality; The Orchard, which is a business and event hub to help a growing community of entrepreneurs have a base; and the Regional Business Partner Network, which provides eligible business owners with free access to funding, advice and support. “In the short and long term, we aim to lead from the front and from behind to help the community with their aspirations.” The NRC is also part of the Northland
FASTFORWARD Transportation Alliance, a collaboration between local government and the New Zealand Transport Agency to deliver better roading and transportation in Northland. Penny says roading continues to be a major issue for all Northlanders and she and the district mayors continue to see as a big priority the project to make the four-lane highway for the region. “Parts of it are underway with good progress being made, but there is more to do.’’ The two options currently up for consultation include upgrading the current state highway to four lanes (with some sections built of"line to straighten out curves) or upgrading the existing state highway to four lanes with a section built to the west of SH1, avoiding the coastal marine environment at Oakleigh. Both options include widening of the urban corridor to four lanes and the project also includes a separated walking and cycling path between Whangārei and Port Marsden Highway (SH15). Waka Kotahi is now seeking public feedback on both the urban section of the project between Tarewa Road and Toetoe Road and the two route options in the rural section between Toetoe Road and Port Marsden Highway.
NORTHLAND
5
Railway lines are also being improved in the region, with work underway to rejuvenate the Northland Line between Swanson and Whangarei, including replacing "ive rail bridges and lowering the tracks in 13 tunnels to allow shipping container loads to pass through. Penny says such projects are having a positive impact on the Northland region and will certainly boost the economy. “Even before Covid-19 most of Northland visitors were domestic tourists. The tourism industry has been dinted by the lack of international tourists but it seems domestic travellers are continuing to visit and enjoy all that Northland has on offer.’’ She says Northland’s mayors and NRC Chair are well connected with twice-weekly Zoom calls and the chief executives also keep in regular weekly contact. Penny says the recent decision to add Maori constituencies to the representatives on the NRC is a very positive move that will strengthen the council’s relationships with the tangata whenua. “Iwi groups have been clear that it is important to form relationships "irst if projects are to have the best chance at being successful. “The tangata whenua are an integral part of our region, and I see many opportunities that can come out of this,’’ she says.
“In the short and long term, we aim to lead from the front and from behind to help the community with their aspirations.”
Water quality is regularly monitored in Northland streams.
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FASTFORWARD
6
NORTHLAND
INFRASTRUCTURE
KEEPING US CONNECTED By 2043, Northland’s population would have grown to almost 197,000 people, placing pressure on the land transport system. SH1-14_intersection
T
here will be increased traffic on the roads, especially around our three main towns of Kerikeri, Whangārei and Ruakaka, and a slowing of journeys to Auckland. Managing how we move around the region will become more important as our towns continue to grow. Northland’s difficult terrain, tourist numbers and short distance to Auckland means the region already has its challenges and we will need to manage this safely and efficiently into the future. Ensuring communities outside of Whangārei have good access to healthcare, education and employment is important and will help create a more prosperous future for the region over the next decade. The most important issue for Northland, now and for the next 10 years, is safety. The terrain, widespread population, tourist numbers, heavy freight vehicles and high percentage of unsealed roads in the area, all impact on the region’s poor safety record. Driving while impaired and not wearing seatbelts both play a signi"icant role in the high number of deaths and serious injuries in the area. We all need to work together to reduce harm on the roads. We are supporting the implementation of the Road to Zero: New Zealand’s road safety strategy 2020–2030 and regional safety strategies, bringing together many different programmes to support safer travel connections for all. Working with
Whangarei south
local councils, speed management and safety measures, will make up just some of the activities over the next decade to help make Northland a thriving, safer region in which to live and visit.
How we adapt now to the way we move around our towns and the region, and think about our travel to Auckland, will determine what impact we have on the local economy, the environment and our communities during the next 10 years and beyond. To keep our communities vibrant, people will be encouraged to leave their cars at home in our urban areas, get on a bus or walk or cycle. Public transport, along with walking and cycling, will become more important as we also look to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. During the next decade, we will be supporting councils to implement their Walking and Cycling Strategy. Good urban cycling networks, and connecting coastal communities will help with congestion, improve health and step us towards a more reliable and sustainable transport network. Primary industries will continue to be the backbone of Northland and critical to the region’s COVID-19 recovery. While our
Portland Rd Batter slope August 2020
REBUIL T TUR WITH R BO 400 ECOND ITIONED CONVER TER. ALL RE ADY FO CUSTOM R THE ER!
R, FILTE A NEW ND FULL ET A GASK FLUSH OIL
ET A YOU G YTIME ISSION R E V E SM TRAN VICE SER
landscape is expected to keep transitioning, such as from pastoral to avocado production, a key focus will be on preserving key freight routes to ensure we get perishable goods to market to achieve maximum return. We have a number of roading upgrades currently happening or in the pipeline to help the region grow and keep people and freight moving. For example, the new transport corridor to the south of Whangārei will not only save lives but it will improve freight connections and provide a more resilient route to support regional growth. As our digital capabilities grow across the country, new technologies such as on-demand services, should support new transport options over the next decade. Shared shuttle services are an option to help people get around the Far North, Kaipara and Whangārei. Improved access to highquality data and information will enable better management of the existing transport system to get the most out of existing infrastructure. These should provide increased options to help people move around using different transport choices. Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency has developed Arataki, our 10-year view of what is needed to deliver on the government’s current priorities and longterm objectives for the land transport system. For more information about what is happening in your region and across the country, you can "ind this document at www.nzta.govt.nz/arataki
09 430 3505
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WHAT WILL YOU DO TO STEP UP? Draw, colour or paint your ideas. Take a photo of your ďŹ nished design and post it to the Northland Road Safety facebook.com/nrsnrcnz Facebook Page
9 -15 Nov
2020
roadsafetyweek.org.nz
8
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
EDUCATION
STEPPING UP Leadership Changes Natasha Hemara was appointed as Principal for Kamo High School from the beginning of Term 3. Natasha, formerly principal of Rototuna High School and a former WGHS student, has returned home to be close to whanau. Following Natasha’s arrival, Grant Angus and Amy Tipene were appointed as Deputy Principal’s. Grant came to us from Lyn"ield College, and Amy from WGHS, having taught previously at Rosehill College, Pukekohe
High School, and in London. The SLT team has a vision for moving this school into a future focussed place, and is working with staff to develop a plan that will see a curriculum design review and implementation to ensure an innovative and responsive curriculum being delivered to enhance academic and personal success. The team has a wealth of experience in the successful delivery of innovative and responsive practices in multiple schools across New Zealand.
Top Success in the Australian Maths Competition Our Yr 9 to Yr 13 students participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition on 31 July 2020. Congratulations to Tenzin Tsering (Yr 9) and Charlie Cassidy (Yr 12), who have been successful in gaining the top grade of Distinction. This was once again an amazing opportunity for our students to step up, showcasing what they love doing in problem solving.
Art Kiana Ruma (Yr13) and Lucas Payne (Yr 12), and have both had work selected for the national secondary schools’ Ringa Toi Student Exhibition in Wellington. Kiana’s artwork is a painting entitled “Personi"ied
Pāua”, and is made from acrylic paint with carving tools and wood used in its creation. Lucas had two pieces of artwork accepted – entitled ‘Whakawhanaungatanga Iwi”, created using digital media.
Poetry Published Jacqueline Gurney, Yr 13, and her English teacher, Tracie Lark, attended the of"icial launch of the seventh edition of the ‘Fast Fibres 7’ Northland Anthology series, in which their poetry has being published. Jacqueline says the event was an absolutely amazing experience and a wonderful opportunity to take part in. She hopes that in the years to come she will be able to continue with this and improve her literary skills and con"idence, and she hopes to be published again. Jacqueline also encourages people to do the things they
love, put one foot in front of the other, and to be proud of what you manage to achieve no matter how small.
Young Enterprise Scheme After winning the Innovation Award last year at the YES Northland prizegiving dinner, NDLR has now produced a new edition of their book in te reo maori which has proven to be a great success. Mya and Kahn doubled their estimated sales this year at the Kerikeri Old Packhouse Market with 47% of sales being the te reo maori edition. They have visited local kindergartens doing live readings of their books and are also producing sensory items to be part of the NDLR’s package for learning. Mid-year Mya and Kahn won the Top Energy business pitch competition at Northtec
and will be pitching again at Waitangi about their innovative and now very sustainable education company in an attempt to win the right to represent Northland at the National Young Enterprise Awards.
Sport Kamo High School has had some outstanding performances in an interrupted year. Some highlights of the year include: • Cricket 1st X1 winning a spot into the Northern Districts Gillette Cup Final • Participating in the "irst Wheelchair Turbo Touch ever, coming 2nd on the day • 3rd Place in the NSSSA Junior Basketball Competition • 4 winners at the ASB Secondary School Sports Awards – Anna Moselen (Squash), Cole Allen (Golf), Logan Hawkes (Motocross) and Nathan Parkes (Cricket) • Clay Target Shooting – Aaron Harrison 5th Place in the North Island Secondary School Champs • Anna Moselen, Yr13, winning the Northland Junior Squash and NSSSA Open Squash Champs
FUTURE-PROOF YOURSELF WITH NORTHTEC “We offer programmes which prepare you for the top jobs in terms of employment prospects based on the current market. These range from nursing through management and administration to the construction trades.
Jon Smith, NorthTec’s Acting Chief Executive, says high quality vocational training is the best way to futureproof your career. He says: “Vocational training and applied education at NorthTec gets you ready for a job and provides you with the latest industry skills. You’ll gain a recognised qualification which can get you into a great career earning good wages.
“NorthTec courses are practical and hands-on, with work placements in a field you’re passionate about. Many of our courses also teach you transferable skills so you can choose to work in several sectors of the job market.
“And with many of our courses currently available fees-free, you can prepare for a sustainable future for yourself and your whānau without taking on a student loan.
“While we’re dealing with unprecedented economic uncertainty this year, NorthTec is here to help Northlanders train and upskill for a successful and sustainable career.”
GET SKILLED AND QUALIFIED TO SECURE YOUR FUTURE!
NORTHLAND is one of the FASTEST GROWING REGIONS IN NZ.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
“
My vision for Northland is ultimately for everyone to do their bit in caring for the environment.
20,000
NEW HOMES
required in Whangārei in the next 30 years
”
AGRICULTURE & HORTICULTURE
Steve Johnson - Environmental graduate
HELPING TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE NorthTec graduate, Steve Johnson, is passionate about Northland’s taiao (environment). He studied the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management, level 5 and 6, at NorthTec and after graduating, secured a position where he worked on placement throughout his studies.
“I’ve always hunted and been keen on fishing and diving but my work life has been in the building/construction industry. I decided it was time to study what I was passionate about. I had walked and swum through our natural environment but I wanted to learn some of the science and biology behind how it was all linked together so I stepped out of my comfort zone and signed up for study. “NorthTec’s Conservation department has a great group of tutors with heaps of knowledge and passion which makes putting into practice what you will learn invaluable. NorthTec helped me to gain the knowledge I needed, and then the confidence to put that knowledge into action. “I’m now working for Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board (PTB) in their Taiao unit where I monitor freshwater flora and fauna, control pests and collect seeds. I’m lucky to be able to do my bit to care for the
taiao as a career and work alongside people doing the same thing that are willing to help and share. The variety of work is great and helps broaden my knowledge, and I love working outside. “I believe the taiao sustains us all on many levels. It was here before us and we should do our best to look after the taiao and it will look after us. There’s so many cool things out there to see, smell, touch and amaze at. To go out into the taiao and feel connected in some way is both grounding and exhilarating. “Northland has an amazing variety of environments from the ngahere (forest) to the moana (sea) and everything in between. My vision for Northland is ultimately for everyone to do their bit in caring for the environment: to understand the impacts, big or small we all have at different levels on the environment. “I’ve learned that if you want to do something, do it. Even if you don’t succeed at first, just adjust and self-correct. What you do after you come through those little knocks makes you a stronger person. “Studying conservation is very fulfilling on many levels where you can make a difference. It’s a great career with many opportunities that can take you wherever you want.”
Provincial Growth Funding for Te Tai Tokerau
$11.52
million
ROADING PROJECTS Provincial Growth Funding approved for Te Tai Tokerau
$51million PAY RATES
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
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Degrees: 67% Diplomas: 30% Certificates: 15%
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PAY RATES
Future Trades Campus, 19 Dyer Street, Whangārei
!
Info Evening
% increase more than the median income
10
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
BUSINESS
TO LOOK FORWARD Planning the next months’ events is challenge enough without fast forwarding 10 plus years to what might be.
B
ut if 2020 has taught us anything it is that predictions can be capricious things, they don’t always go to the plan. To look forward it is helpful to take stock of where we are, because so much of the happenings of 2020, has challenged how we traditionally do business. In last four months, NorthChamber held a series of events that connected sectors within industries, Our !irst three events, Construction and Infrastructure, Tourism and Hospitality and recently a Marine sector event had a range of expert speakers share how the industries were faring, and importantly their visions for the future. Strong themes coming through from these and other sources will prove to be the building blocks for business sustainability and a secure future. Chief among them was intersectoral collaboration and partnership. Covid-19 shone a light quite dramatically on the vulnerability of supply chains. There has been a global shift in local economic development, companies working together as an integrated supply chain, rather than competing against each other is the way forward.
For example in Construction and Infrastructure, our local Councils are actively looking at how they can support local business and potential investors to understand their tender processes and foster business capability. This strong thread of increasing openness and cooperation is being echoed across other sectors. Globally the pandemic accelerated 10 key technology trends1, locally we have seen a dramatic shift to e-commerce with businesses having to embrace online options or risk going under. We asked our own local creative technologies expert Maggie Buxton her thoughts on Northland in ten years “Creative technology is now actively part of all industries, including traditionally ‘primary’ or land-based work.” Vodafone, local area manager Howard Gillies shared his thoughts on the future, “Cloud and working from anywhere will be the norm. Culture in the workplace will be key, as staff are not physically in one location.” There has been a historic amount of investment into the region, we have had an unprecedented number of new projects, and future success is strongly tied in with connecting the ‘dots’ and ensuring we maintain momentum. As the Hundertwasser grows closer to an operational feature of the region, some may ask how does this and other projects such
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as the Oruku Landing Conference and Event Centre remain relevant? It is vitally important that we don’t stop planning for the future, because of the now, adapt yes, but we also need to remain clear in our vision for a region that is thriving and vibrant. ‘And set to thrive’, is how we imagine the marine and tourism sectors, with developments including Whangarei Marina, and Port Nikau expanding marine industry capability and signi!icant investment in the tourism sector infrastructure such as the
cruise ship pontoon and tenders, the Russell and Paihia wharves, Opua Superyacht and Events Pontoon and Bay of Islands Airport have Northland primed as a destination hot spot. A bonus would be a successful conclusion to Northports investigation of a dry dock that would ultimately entice the Navy to migrate Northwards. A proposed re-purposing of Whangarei CBD with Whangarei District Council committing to a cosmetic and traf!ic !low upgrade, alongside the creation of a Tertiary Precinct led by the migration of much of Northtec would be an excellent future win. Augmented this with a series of private sector investment projects such as student accommodation, parking buildings, new retail, of!ice and apartment builds and conversions this type of city living will make an attractive option. Northland is awash with change and opportunity the ongoing investment into infrastructure such as roads, rail and energy, the funding breathing life into new and old projects, employment opportunities, new and improved facilities encouraging domestic, and in a post- Covid future, foreign spend. Without taking away from the year we have had, or the miles we may have to go, we need to keep our eye on the future and keep moving forward together. All in all some real excitement is in the air, about time we say.
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FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
11
BUSINESS
2020
WHAT A YEAR! The team at Robinson Asphalts (Robinsons) are very upbeat and excited about the year ahead, despite the challenges that Covid-19 has presented including a backlog of work, delayed by lockdown.
A
major positive for Robinsons is their successful bid for the contract to construct the New Town Basin Park, next to the Canopy Bridge and the new Hundertwasser Art Centre & Wairau Maori Art Gallery, for Whangarei District Council. Robinson Asphalts are extremely proud to have won this contract and to have the opportunity to create the unique Park. The park include a large lawn, an amphitheatre, terraced seating and a water feature , sculpture, trees & planting and new public toilets. Robinsons will also upgrade the timber boardwalk. The Town Basin contract is particularly signi!icant for the company as Robinsons also constructed the bulk of the original Town Basin landscaping and timber boardwalks back in the early 1990s,
after !irst demolishing the old waterfront buildings including the old Army hall where The Quay restaurant is now situated (originally Revas). They carried out 3 of the 4 Town Basin development stages. Most of the existing paving, planting, stone walls, timber boardwalks, gardens and rock features were originally created by the Robinsons team. Some of the materials encompassed in the original design were recycled from the old Pilkington Glass Works in Whangarei, when it closed down. This new Park will complement the existing landscaping and the iconic waterfront area, providing a link to the Loop walkway and the surrounding features, but also a beautiful space for the people of Whangarei and its visitors to enjoy. Robinson Asphalts was originally started by Peter & Joan Robinson in 1972,
and later sold in 1992 to their daughter Annette (Annie) and husband Alan Johnston. They are proud to have had so much involvement in the Town Basin area over the years, including the recently completed Bascule Bridge Carpark, and the current construction of the new Playground (near Claphams Clock Museum). “We love the opportunity to transform vision into reality and provide people with a sense of pride and place. In this case, Whangarei District Council provides the vision, and we make it happen. The tender process is rigorous, so it’s always a great cause for celebration when we have a successful tender on a major project. Now we just have to roll up our sleeves!” Robinsons will use various specialist subcontractors for components of the works, and wherever possible, they have engaged local subcontractors and suppliers. This project also provides a lot of con!idence and positivity for their team of approximately 45 staff, with regard to their forward workload in these uncertain “Covid” times. The Robinson Asphalts name has been around for a long time now, and now days is a bit of a misnomer considering the extensive scope of civil works the company
Turning vision into reality since 1972
Northland’s
FIRST CLASS Civil Contractors
09 435 0188 www.robinsonasphalts.co.nz
undertakes, they are so much more than Asphalt! But with the name comes a reputation and track record that they are proud of. They look forward to delivering another valuable asset that the District can be proud of too. A list of some of the subcontractors and suppliers that will be involved includes; Hansen Drainage & Excavation, The Watertight Company, Currie Electrical, Trigg Construction, CMT Group, Anlyn Piling, GHK Piling, Graeme Bird Concrete Cutting, Shade Systems, Northland Metal Industries, Virgin Concrete, Buscks Prestressed Concrete, Tawapou Coastal Natives, BBS Timber, Streetscape, Walkspace, Cirtex and Horizon International. Whangarei District Council will also engage several specialist contractors and suppliers separately for specialist features that will form part of the new Park.
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FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
BUSINESS
AN ORIGINAL HOME
to
LOVE IN THE NORTH
Northland offers an amazing climate, plenty of open spaces including superb beaches, an enviable way of life, and friendly people. It’s no wonder that this stunning region is on the up and up.
B
rendan Flude is the managing director of Design Builders’ new Northland of!ice. He believes that he’s in the right place at the right time, with the population growth the region is experiencing. There’s an energy here that makes it a great place to do business, and to build one-off homes. “Northland is a beautiful region with a growing population,” says Brendan. “We are lucky to be able to experience all its amazing locations with little travel, making our way of life exceptional. The community feel throughout the region is outstanding; we all believe in spending and supporting local. It’s a value and a campaign that resonates with me, especially since joining Design Builders.” Design Builders creates stunning one-off homes, and the company’s founding concept is ‘A home built around you’. For Brendan, it is about bringing together
each client’s wants and needs – a step sometimes neglected by other companies. Whether a client wants a feature wall to bring the outdoors inside, or the addition of special detailing, or externally high !inishing, or has a list of requirements, Design Builders will accommodate it. “I want each client’s dream home to become a reality, and not remain just a dream,” says Brendan. His passion for architecture goes all the way back to his schooldays. He has always been interested in design. The turning point was when he designed and project-managed the construction of his family home in Whangarei. Brendan’s stylish home quickly attracted positive reviews for its strong, bold design, clean lines, and immaculate detailing. Brendan believes it is essential to keep a close watch over every phase of a project. He is closely involved throughout the
design and build process. Short cuts are excluded. To Brendan, only a meticulous approach will achieve the best result. He says: “If you want a stunning home, the highest levels of care, thought, and attention to detail are mandatory.” It’s a philosophy that serves Design Builders well. Over the company’s twentyodd years, they have picked up well over 100 Master Builders House of the Year Awards, including highly coveted Gold awards and Best in Category. With a strong presence across the entire North Island, and many delighted clients, Design Builders is going from strength to strength – just like the Northland region. Above all else, though, Brendan believes that it’s all about delivering what each client wants. It’s a matter of making the whole process enjoyable, exciting, and creative for the client.
ENJOY A FREE, NO!OBLIGATION CHAT WITH BRENDAN Here’s your opportunity to !ind out about what Design Builders does, from start to !inish. Understand the architect’s role, work out your budget, look through their portfolio (including their award-winning homes), pick up great tips and ideas, and ask questions. If you’re thinking about building a home, it’s the perfect !irst step. Brendan can visit you, or you can meet somewhere for a coffee – it will be his shout. Call him at Design Builders Northland today on 021 748 733. Or e-mail him: brendan@designbuilders.co.nz
A HOME BUILT AROUND YOU Call Brendan Flude at Design Builders Northland today on 021 748 733 or send him an email at brendan@designbuilders.co.nz
www.designbuilders.co.nz DB0126
FASTFORWARD
A WORD
Over the next three years there are two big infrastructure projects that I will continue championing.
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hese projects are the marine dry dock at Northport and the fourlane highway, and both will create sustainable jobs in Whangarei, unlocking region-wide productivity in rebuilding our economy. It has been refreshing in the past few months to hear nearly every party commit to both of these projects and now we wait to see who will actually deliver them. A dry dock is a dock for ships such as the interisland ferry that weighs thousands of tonnes. Ships come into a dry dock to be refitted and maintained. They currently have to travel to places like Singapore with $1M dollars in fuel costs and $1M a week in the dock. I first became interested in a dry dock for Whangarei in 2015. I was approached by various shipping interests who outlined the business case and why Whangarei was a good location. I arranged a meeting of the four port holders (Northport, Port Nikau, Golden Bay Cement, NZ Refining) and key local stakeholders to discuss a proposal. From then to now the project has gathered support and the need has become more pressing.
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NORTHLAND
13
BUSINESS
DR SHANE RETI QSM
A marine dry dock would have 200 jobs in the building phase, then create 400 long term jobs on site and even more indirectly for local contractors and industries. To put this in context, in the past 12 months
Whangarei has lost 111 jobs at the local CHH mill, 164 jobs at the LVL plant in Ruakaka, and NZ Re!ining tell us there are another 100 jobs to go. The second big infrastructure project
is the four lanes to Auckland which is still the single biggest economic driver for Northland. This is needed for freight costs to be contained so that our products can be competitive in Auckland and abroad. Safety is a huge factor, and the four lanes will provide greater safety. Resilience to accidents, break downs and natural disasters is also improved with four lanes. Tourism is likely to improve with four lanes, providing quicker and safer transit into the north. When we look at some of the cities in what is called the golden triangle, Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga, it is the four-lane highways that opened up those cities. In the past few years, the road from Whangarei to Marsden has been the deadliest police hotspot and this is the section that we should start with. Northland needs an integrated transport plan by road, rail, air, and sea. The four lanes were announced by National, called a “holiday highway” by Phil Twyford and Labour, and now it simply must be started. In reference to those yellow poles in the middle of our state highway, as I have said before, instead of four lanes we have sticks! I would like to thank the thousands of people who supported me recently. I am your strong voice in Wellington and I am backing kiwis and backing my community.
DR SHANE RETI MP Based in Whangārei
Your strong local voice in Wellington
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FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
BUSINESS
Chainsaw massacre or environmental stewardship? Forward Whangarei & Dawn Dutton Photography
A spirit of concern for the future of our environment. Trees have a life cycle and will eventually die. What that is exactly can be hard to determine. It can be upsetting to watch a seemingly healthy tree get removed – and often it is. There are times when mature trees are cut down for no good reason and without a plan for replanting. The cities are growing fast. Promotion for responsible use and protection of the natural environment is a concern for us all. Trees sustain life on earth. Woody plants serve many benefits. One New Zealand native tree planted is the equivalent of removing 6kg of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. Our most significant trees stay protected because of their botanical, heritage, amenity, landscape, cultural, ecological, or environmental values. Arboricultural work on these trees cannot happen without approval. However, there are many reasons for tree removal. Often it is the last resort. Trees are commonly removed where new construction requires removal. Some trees can have a negative impact on health (pollen), or in the environment they live (crowding native species). Worldwide we are more supportive of the role trees have to sustain life on earth. Wellconsidered future thinking that involves
growth and development should also consider impacts to the planet’s ecosystem. Environmental stewardship. Arborists can play a signi!icant role in environmental stewardship. Undertaking the job of cutting them down, arborists are often tree lovers, on the front line of protecting trees, with concern for the future of the environment. There are various approaches to reach a desirable, sustainable, environmentally friendly outcome, and trees cut down can also provide a legacy. Tree owners must make informed decisions about their trees and various tree care options.
Replanting of not just one, but many trees as part of a replanting plan is growing. If you are unable to replant, there is an option to support an organisation that can do it for you. There are international, national, and local tree regeneration organisations like One Tree Planted, 10Tree, Million Meters, Trees That Count, and local community planting and weed action groups helping re-establish forests in suitable locations. There is also the option to support community groups by volunteering at a local community planting event that happen throughout the year.
Forward Whangarei & Dawn Dutton Photography
Restoring the balance As a business in the business of trees, Think Trees Northland do as much as they can to balance their ‘tree’ credits and green up their business. They also support, by way of donation, organisations like Keep New Zealand Beautiful and have attended local community planting days as corporate volunteers. Felled trees can help the environment when harvested trees get replaced with new plantings (even if these are not on the same site). Trees planted today will be those distinguished of the future. However, cities need to maintain good numbers of established trees for a range of environmental and health bene!its. It makes sense to be aware of how fast we are losing trees. A balance between the removal of mature trees and replanting would be bene!icial. Life is not black and white. At times, the end justi!ies the means. You try and do the right thing. Various tree care options, schemes to manage existing established urban trees, and investing in replanting projects can balance the loss of trees that get removed; to protect our green heritage for future generations.
Think Trees Northland: promoting the importance of trees and improving our livelihood, so everybody grows.
THINK OF TREE CARE AS AN INVESTMENT More than specialists in tree pruning,crown lifting, thinning, felling, hedge trimming and stump grinding, we think about the bigger picture. 0800 THINK TREES | 0800 844 658 www.thinktrees.co.nz
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
15
BUSINESS
Commercial Residential Industrial Maintenance Sheet Metal Fabrication Gas Water & Home Heating
Radiators Underfloor heating Combi-boiler systems Heat pump Gas & diesel
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GAS WORKS & PLUMBING
asworks and Plumbing Ltd is a locally owned company based in Whangarei that operates Northland wide. It covers a broad range of services in both plumbing and gas !itting including residential and commercial work. It employs a friendly team of quali!ied and qualifying plumbers and gas!itters who can advise and certify work done. On the domestic side, home heating is a strong point in Gasworks and Plumbing’s business offering a wide range of gas !ired and centralized home heating systems. These centralized systems are the fuel for the under!loor and radiator heaters and also hot water supply. This century old proven European method of home heating creates a warm even environment in your home. These
systems are !ired by gas, diesel or heat pump and the specialists at Gasworks and Plumbing are able to advise on the most suitable system for your requirements. We have branches in Whangarei @ 13 Porowini Ave and a Depot in Bay of Islands @ 1229 Bulls Road, Kerikeri.
We employ local talent and are training local apprentices. Our aim is to always supply you the top quality product and service to ensure the longevity of your asset. Make contact with us today to ensure you get top quality product and service. 0800 400 192
We are pleased to have partnered with Trigg Construction in advancing Northlands Tourist Industry with the construction of the Hundertwasser Arts Centre.
Your local Northland Plumbing and Gasfitting partners are Gasworks and Plumbing Ltd. Our aim is to always supply you the top-quality product and service to ensure the longevity of your asset. We are pleased to have partnered with Trigg Construction in advancing Northlands Tourist Industry with the construction of the
Hundertwasser Arts Centre. Make contact with us today to ensure you get top quality product and service on
0800 400 192.
Corner of Poto St & Porowini Ave, Whangarei Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 5pm
Phone: 0800 400 192
www.gasworksandplumbing.co.nz
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FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
BUSINESS
Northland Community Foundation supporting Te Tai Tokerau into the Future Within the next 50 years the Northland Community Foundation (NCF) hopes to be a significant community funder for Te Tai Tokerau.
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CF plans to reach this goal by investing funds on behalf of generous Northlanders for charitable causes. NCF has so far been promised $18 million worth of funds, gifts made by people through their wills, which are planned for charitable causes. When these funds are realised, they will be invested by NCF to establish long-term (endowment) funds, and the interest made on these funds each year will be delivered out to charitable causes according to the donors’ wishes. This way the funds and the services they provide for will be retained and grown in perpetuity. Recently Sport Northland CEO Brent Eastwood, Whangarei Boys High School
Principal and Chair of the Northland Secondary Schools Association Karen Gilbert-Smith, Northland Community Foundation (NCF) manager Greta Buchanan, and Don Saunders, Chair of Opera North, met with Gareth Foster to discuss his plans for his funds promised in his will for Northland. Mr Foster plans to establish three endowment funds to support top achieving male youth in Sport, Opera, and Education for Te Tai Tokerau. These are all areas close to Mr Foster’s heart that he sees as important for the future of Northland. Foster has lived in Northland all his life and thought this was a great way to give back to his community “Giving makes me feel good, it’s great to give something back to the community I have lived in and loved for my whole life,” says Gareth. Sport Northland Chief Executive Brent Eastwood is thrilled with Gareth’s promised gift for Sport in
#!(*)( &"'! $(%*+& 8)#$ %5' %)&" )+ %595+%, 1)$&9&$, If Northland has been good to you, then how could you be good to Northland?
Left to Right: Brent Eastwood (CEO of Sport Northland), Don Saunders (Chairperson for Opera North), Gareth Foster, and Karen Gilbert-Smith (Chairperson, Northland Secondary Schools Association), and Greta Buchanan (General Manager, Northland Community Foundation).
Northland. “Once realised, the new named fund will be signi!icant for the sports of athletics, equestrian and swimming in Northland, enabling the high achieving males in those sports to bene!it from the annual scholarships that will result from the fund.” he says. Karen Gilbert-Smith (Chairperson of the Northland Secondary Schools Association) believes that these funds can have a knock-on effect: “By making a difference for one student that has a !low on effect, a pay it forward mentality where we create awareness and plant the seed that giving a hand-up rather than a hand-out to others can make a huge difference”. Don Saunders stated that: “Opera North is excited by the
prospect of ongoing scholarship support for young tenors wishing to pursue studies and advancement in Operatic singing.” With the support of NCF and the promised fund holders Foster was able to discuss what is currently available for each sector, what the current and future community need is, and how funding would be best delivered. Ms Buchanan of the Northland Community Foundation states: “This is really the perfect case scenario for all of us. There is a real dearth of community funding available for Northland and establishing these longterm endowment funds, that are invested forever will create a significant asset for our community’s future”.
If you would like to make a gift in your will get in touch with Greta on greta@northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz or 021558224.
We help ordinary people make an extraordinary difference for Northland by raising funds from donations and legacies
We grow these funds through our careful investment policy, retaining the capital and generating income
We use the income from the investments to make grants to the local organisations and charities you choose
*) .+( )#/ -)$& 62)#/ !)7 4)# 06+ 0$&6/& 4)#$ 3&%604 visit our website northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz email us on info@northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz or call 021 558 224 or 0204 139 8518
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
17
RURAL
Future Farmers of Northland The future of farming is changing. With the world population set to hit 9.8 Billion by 2050, more food will need to be produced than ever before.
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eanwhile farmers will be faced with a host of challenges; climate changes, increased pressure to reduce pollution, improving animal welfare practises, reducing the impacts of intensive farming practises, all in the face of a world market which has become increasingly volatile and unstable. Over the past 15 years Northland’s agriculture sector has doubled in productivity. Northland is now responsible for producing approximately 20% of all New Zealand’s Beef. 21 billion litres of milk are produced in New Zealand each year, enough to feed approximately 78 million people, all while maintaining exceptionally high animal welfare standards and fed almost entirely on pasture. New Zealand Lamb is also experiencing an exceptional surge in demand on the global market, for what is clearly becoming a premium product. As the current generation of farmers looks set to retire, many farmers are looking to the next generation to take the reins. To those in the business, it is widely acknowledged that there has been a gap in the training of these new up and coming farmers. In collaboration with Land Based
Training, Whangarei A & P Society launched its Farm Internship Programme in February 2020, with a clear goal of training the very best future farmers here in Northland. While describing 2020 as a dif!icult year is possibly an understatement, we are immensely proud of the achievements our interns have made and we look forward to welcoming our next 2021 cohort. Given the inevitable changes that farmers will face in the coming decades we are con!ident that New Zealand farmers will do what they have been doing for thousands of years. We will adapt, we will change, and we will meet whatever new challenges come our way. In collaboration with Land Based Training, Whangarei A & P Society launched its Farm Internship Programme in February 2020, with a clear goal of training the very best future farmers here in Northland. If you would like to get involved with the programme as an intern or a host, please contact farm@wap.co.nz or 09 4383109 or check out our website www.gumboot.kiwi
In collaboration with Land Based Training, Whangarei A & P Society launched its Farm Internship Programme in February 2020, with a clear goal of training the very best future farmers here in Northland.
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FASTFORWARD
18
NORTHLAND
TOURISM
Northland Tourism Tourism is one of Northland’s largest industries, and Northland is an important player in New Zealand’s national tourism scene.
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any factors make Northland a good option for tourism investment and business operations; the size and scale of the sector, proximity to Auckland’s largest population base and largest international airport, as well as the base physical resources which make for a highly desirable and competitive visitor destination. The region’s destination positioning is based on coastal and water-based attractions, forests, walks and natured-based activities, Maori cultural experiences and as New Zealand’s northern-most region, the benign subtropical climate. Northland is New Zealand’s 6th largest tourism region measured in both commercial guest nights and visitor spend.
Other than the 3 largest cities and New Zealand’s icon resorts of Queenstown and Rotorua, Northland generates more visitor activity than any other region. The Bay of Islands is the leisure and conference focus for tourism in the region, with Whangarei also being an important centre for business travel. Annual Commercial Guest Nights total 1.971M. The split of these nights by Northland’s three districts is an indicator of travel and visit patterns; - Far North 65% - Whangarei 28% - Kaipara 7% Within the region, Tourism is our third largest industry measured in share of
regional GDP, contributing 8.9% of GDP in 2017 (Manufacturing 16.9%, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing combined 11.6%). 8,800 FTE jobs are created by the tourism sector representing 12.7% of the region’s workforce. Annual visitor expenditure in Northland totals $1.121B and a breakdown by market shows the relative importance of the domestic and international visitor markets to Northland. Domestic visitors come primarily from Auckland and account for 76% of spend, while international visitors spend 24% of the total. The largest international source markets for Northland are; Australia, UK, Rest of Europe, USA and Germany, in that order. Northland Inc focuses on destination
development and marketing activity designed to achieve change in visit seasonality patterns as well as change in national and intra-regional dispersal. Our objective is to build a stronger year-round tourism sector where the economic bene!its of tourism are spread widely throughout Northland. Northland Inc supports the tourism sector through a range of activities across the organisation; destination marketing, insights and information, infrastructure and product development, business support services. 1. Statistics New Zealand Commercial Accommodation Monitor 2. Infometrics 3. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates
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Open for: • Breakfast • Lunch • Delicious Cakes • Paintings • Glass Works • Carvings • Jewellery • Sculptures • Ceramics• Gift Vouchers
1392 Old Russell Rd, Hikurangi Phone/Fax: Gallery 09 433 9616 or Café 09 433 9934 www.galleryhelenabay.co.nz www.facebook/galleryhelenabay
FASTFORWARD
NORTHLAND
19
HEALTH
Health or the Economy By Dr Nick Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer
Why not both! Covid-19 has tended to polarise views on whether we focus on health or our economy, and yet this is not a dichotomy. If we strike the right balance, we definitely can have both!
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rrespective of whether you agree or disagree with every nuance or the severity and length of our lockdowns (and their negative impact on our economy), it’s clear that the focus on health during the pandemic is now reaping the economic gains of a society that can largely function as normal while most of the world is suffering prolonged or successive lockdowns as well as high death rates and a gridlocked health system. All regions/ DHBs in New Zealand are suffering from long waiting times for planned care/ elective surgery/ nonurgent care, and concerns about the health impact of these waiting times. While we are working on recovery, most of the world’s waiting times for planned care must be growing. Media reporting on the huge health and social impacts of this unmet need are limited while the world focuses on the immediate impact of COVID-19, however this impact will be felt long after our “recovery” from COVID-19. What about the bigger picture outside of COVID-19. Is it health or the economy? Over many years, there has been a reluctance to “invest” in health because of the perception that it is a black hole into which money gets thrown, and that the more we supply health services, the more it creates demand. Rather than recognising that a more equitably healthy population will be a more employed
Photo: Northern Advocate
There is no downside or compromise or trade off. Any growth in these figures has to be good for health AND the economy. and productive population, health budgets have been constrained so that de"icits are the norm, and Infrastructure Investment in our aging, unsafe, and un"it for purpose hospitals has been minimal. Northland is a case in point where those with the least get less - over the years we have fought funding caps where signi"icant amounts of money have been diverted to lower growth and lower health need regions. This now amounts to over $50 million money that Northland will never see. However, there has been a significant boost in DHB operational funding this year, and the majority of that goes into increases in staff wages, increases in the range of services provided and increases in the numbers of health workers in either Northland DHB or all of the community services we fund. Although constrained again this year, there has been a significant increase in Infrastructure funding
recently. Over the past 10 years, we have spent over $100million of Northland DHB funds on improving our four hospitals and have also received or will receive a similar amount from Government for projects that are underway. Inequitable health outcomes, particularly for Māori is our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity. Our second greatest challenge and opportunity is the state of Whangārei Hospital. Building on our surgical and service wings commenced in 1956 so that a signi"icant part of Whangārei Hospital is over 64 years old. It’s at retirement age for a human, let alone a building which was designed to last way less than that. It’s unsafe and un"it for purpose. We will need to spend up to $11m a year to just keep it going. This is money that should be spent on healthcare. So, we are progressing with the detailed design for a replacement and have strong
support for this from the Capital Investment Committee and hope to hear from Cabinet soon. We have been planning this for over 10 years with pauses and stops and starts as we built the case for signi"icant Government funding. Now, because of worrying health and safety concerns that can no longer be mitigated, we cannot afford any more delays, and are pressing on regardless. Irrespective of health and safety, an over $500million investment in redeveloping Whangārei Hospital has to be good for Northland’s economy - for 4-5 years we will have up to 500 extra builders, electricians, plumbers and various specialists working, earning, living, playing and spending in Northland. There is a growing recognition that District Health Boards are usually by far the biggest employer and spender in a region. Northland DHB has over 3300 staff and over $750 million annual budget and hundreds of millions in planned infrastructure spending. There is no downside or compromise or trade off. Any growth in these "igures has to be good for health AND the economy.
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