Creating a Vibrant Kaikohe

Kaikohe Business Association

The Kaikohe Business Association’s ‘create a vibrant Kaikohe’ initiative enters its final phase this week.

The Association is actively promoting a yes vote to a Kaikohe Business Improvement District to give the town a positive base for its message for locals and visitors to stop, shop, eat and live.

Ballot papers are being sent to commercial property and business owners, with postal voting taking place over two weeks ending at noon Friday 14th December 2012.

A yes vote will give the Kaikohe Business Association great autonomy to set the marketing and promotion of Kaikohe.

“For too long, this town’s strategies to make it strong and vibrant have been undermined by people who cannot see how the town can come alive” says Steve Sangster, Association Chairperson.

“BIDs are a proven way to reinvigorate business precincts – we are not reinventing the wheel.”

Two recent stakeholder meetings provided an overview of the proposal and answered questions raised.
Kaikohe Hokianga Community Board Deputy Chairperson and BID co-ordinator John Schollum gave a background to the BID and an overview of past initiatives to build a cohesive town.

“There have been a significant number of projects over the past 10 years to bring the town together.”

“Most folded as soon as funding from central government ceased.”

“But there is a groundswell of support emerging from right across the District for Kaikohe to be successful.”

“It’s for the town and its businesses to make the decision to commit to a sustainable funding model and to take charge of its future” say John.

“A YES vote is a show of our confidence in working together for the common good.”

“A YES vote says ‘there is no better time than now to turn the business performance of our town around.”

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