Newstalk ZB
Ensuring Whangārei’s central business district is safe and welcoming is a key focus areas for a new Mayoral Inner City Taskforce. About 30 people from key agencies, community partners and businesses took part in the first taskforce meeting in March, convened by Whangārei District Council. Mayor Ken Couper said there was good energy at the meeting and a desire to make a difference. The taskforce was set up as more Whangārei CBD businesses close their doors, citing falling foot traffic and a preference for online services. Recent closures include the Whangārei branch of women’s fashion store Merric, clothing and homeware store eKo and the Whangārei branch of The Co-operative Bank, which will shut on May 8. The closures follow Life Pharmacy Orrs, EB Games Whangārei and hair salon Rodney Wayne all shutting their doors in January. Other CBD businesses that have closed and not been replaced include gift store Beautiful Things, clothing franchise Jeanswest, logistics company Pack & Send, Christian bookshop Manna and Vietnamese eatery Oh My Pho, all on Cameron St; Bank St hospitality businesses AstroBoy and Nectar Cafe; plus Trade Aid and Authentic Flavours in the Strand. Couper said the decision to close a business did not happen overnight but came after many difficulties. He admitted it would be challenging to turn around the CBD’s fortunes, particularly as online shopping grew. “I think it will be possible as the community works together. This is not a council project, it’s got to be a community project.” Whangārei's Cameron St was a hive of activity during 2023's International Rally of Whangārei. A taskforce has now been set up to ensure the CBD is thriving. Photo / NZME Couper said while the council had a part to play with things like improving parking and public transport, everyone needed to make changes, including for customers to support shops. He thought moves like the revitalisation of NorthTec and $34 million central government investment in a central Knowledge Education and Arts hub (KEA) would also help. The taskforce set up six workstreams, each led by senior representatives with authority to drive change. They were: Social support and community services, led by Rena Hona, Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner. Health, mental health and addiction, led by Jensen Webber, Mahitahi Hauora chief executive. Community safety, policing and regulatory, led by Northland police area commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom. Infrastructure, lighting and urban environment, led by Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie. Housing and inner-city living, led by Toa Faneva, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regional director. The business and hospitality sector, led by Tim Robinson from North Chamber and Julia Morrison from Hospitality NZ, both local business owners. The leaders would meet fortnightly and were tasked with consulting with the wider community, Couper said. EB Games Whangārei closing down in January, as part of the closure of all EB Games stores in New Zealand, attracted queues of shoppers. Photo / Karina Cooper At the first meeting, members agreed on these desired outcomes: a safe, welcoming CBD clear, simple pathways to support services aligned policing, bylaws and regulatory responses suitable and well-maintained infrastructure and public spaces, including lighting and connections such as John St improved community safety response and pathways for escalation a thriving hospitality and business sector increased inner-city living and clear housing pathways improved accessibility for everyone to enter and move around the city centre parking that supports accessibility and economic activity clear measurement and reporting so progress can be tracked and shared. ‘Customers now choose to bank digitally’ The Co-operative Bank’s Whangārei branch is closing because of changing customer preferences, with most people now banking digitally or by phone, spokeswoman Catherine Bateman said. Affected customers would...
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