Whanganui District Council

Support the development of a 60 bed hotel in Central Whanganui to support tourism and large events.

Further support local businesses to upskill youth through programmes and internships.

Listen to local businesses. I'm a member of the Chamber of Commerce (three other current councillors are).

Help local businesses. I use my trust level with Google to put at least a business a month on Google maps and advise on media use myself.

Be strategic. New startups matter. So do large and long established businesses. I'm not so wrapped up in the new I forget the foundations.

Request comprehensive biennial reporting to councillors on council's business friendly policy, including opportunities for improvement.

Encourage shopping in the CBD by both locals and visitors by introducing First Hour Free Parking.

Encourage Whanganui and Partners to focus more on the top 50 employers to build better relationships and improve job numbers.

Support Whanganui and Partners to encourage investment and skills growth.

Attract new business to the region with a specific plan.

Run specific campaigns to employ educated young people. Attract relocation of government agencies or ministries from Wellington.

Complete the revitalisation of port, including dredging and proper wharfs, so that it will be part of the future transport infrastructure.

Back local business so they can continue to offer employment and services to our region.

Continue to invest in our city centre, supporting sport and recreation activities wherever viable for the outcome of attracting visitors.

Review and support camping designated areas, new accommodation, public toilets, parking and green spaces for top visitor experience.

A hotel is vital for our growth as there is a shortage of accommodation for larger events. Accommodation and food sectors are missing out.

Keep investing in making our town centre more vibrant. The more attractive it is, the more retailers and customers want to go there.

The port redevelopment and NZ Pilot Academy have potential to grow supporting industries and jobs. Keep investing in these opportunities.

Support manufacturing and industry. Buy local product. Use local contractors. Showcase our abilities.

Work with industry to make sure they have the tools to perform. Good roads, good water, good power, good access to market.

Jobs for the kids. Attract new and support existing employers that provide good careers. Be more than a service economy. Make things here.

Encourage local businesses to at least pay living wages and attract business that pay well and provide sustainable healthy products.

Attract a developer to build a four star hotel to enable larger events and tours to come here. This will increase hospitality industry spend.

Ensure our ED agency supports local business and attracts appropriate new business to enable more jobs above minimum wage.

Encourage council to improve their business friendly approach so the business sector grows and creates worthwhile jobs in the district.

Support and encourage Whanganui and Partners, council's economic development agency to invest in technology for industries like agribusiness.

Back initiatives like 100% Sweet that focuses on getting young people into jobs with a career path and apprenticeships.

Change Whanganui and Partner's key performance indicators to focus on objective value to stakeholders.

Create a Whanganui Investment group to help aspiring business owners through the complexity of investment.

Provide options to 13-19-year-olds outside the standard education paradigm.

Improvement in measurable outcomes required by Whanganui and Partners, re business support and tourism promotion.

Establish fast tracking policies to establish industry and help existing businesses expand.

Refresh and improve our tourism policy and objectives. Attract more quality accommodation to Whanganui.

Establish an Awa (River) youth centre (River) general store, Awa (River) tourism hub at Upokongaro shops.

Host national events that rejuvenate traditional Māori practices such as Mokopapa (collective experience of Māori facial tattoos).

Establish Te Whare Wānanga o Whanganui based on values of Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River) values and Whanganuitanga (local iwi processes).

Encourage new tourism product investment and development by presenting Whanganui as an opportunity that can't be ignored.

Encourage work to better align some of our business. Main street retailers with the Saturday market customer base for example.

Provide clear pathways to support services and agencies that are already dealing with youth employment. Council will be an effective conduit.

Continue to build partnerships with employers of Whanganui to see more job creation.

Work to develop more opportunities within Whanganui's top five industries.

Partner with funders to support rangatahi into self-employment and long term sustainable career options.