2020 Vision for Raetihi

Draft – Strategy November 2009

Presented by Raetihi Promotions Group

Table of Contents

• Background 3

• The 2020 Vision 4

• Strategic Approach 5

• Strategic Partners 7

• Task Activity Timeline 8

Background• At the July 2009 Raetihi Promotions Group AGM, 40 Raetihi community members gathered to

discuss their concerns at the demise of the towns economic sustainability and absentee land owners buying up commercial property without following through with plans to renovate and rent

• The general consensus of the meeting was that Raetihi has lost its identity and if something isn’t done the town will miss out on upcoming Tourism opportunities within our area

• It was agreed that for Raetihi to become a nicer place to visit we must first make it a nicer place to live and work

Whats changed?• A new Committee was elected to lead Raetihi Promotions Group• We now have the ear of commercial property owners• The community is engaging with the new RPG and they are prepared to work together• The timing is right. The Raetihi Community is ready for change and willing to embrace Tourism• A draft strategy has been prepared as follows by RPG which has the support of the Raetihi

Community • This strategy has been compiled based on extensive research and community consultation carried

out by the creators of ‘A Future for Raetihi’ strategy document prepared in 2000 by Central Consultants and the ‘Sustainable Raetihi Development’ strategy prepared by Lynne Pope, Clem Maloney, Owen Thomas and Pahia Turia.

• This strategy aims to bring together Iwi, European descendants, old and young alike and collectively involves all for the greater good of the Waimarino region

• This involves profiling the unique selling points of the Waimarino/Raetihi area

The 2020 VisionRaetihi is known as a town that embraces its history and shares it through audio and visual displays and static implements culminating in a nightly Sound and Light show depicting significant events that have shaped our town.

• Evidence of its history as a Timber town with restored static implements• Audio and visual stories and displays celebrating Iwi, Chinese and Pakeha history • Digital Media school that provides employment as well as assisting with history

preservation• Flax weaving and bone carving school that provides employment as well as a sustainable

tourism attraction• Murals on walls throughout the town• Locals celebrating their history and sharing this with visitors through audio visual

presentations along Seddon Street• Raetihi has its own brand that reflects the timber town history as well as its connection with

the Whanganui National Park, the Whanganui River and local Iwi• Most authentic and convenient place to stay when cycling/walking the Mangapurua Track

or jet boating to the Bridge to Nowhere• Raetihi features in tourism guide books as a place to visit which fulfills the international

travellers desires to experience New Zealand culture, authenticity and landscape• Capitalizes on its position as gateway to the Ruapehu District for Northbound Traffic and is

already attracting visitors off the Parapara Highway and the Whanganui River Road• Ruapehu’s Touring Route follows State Highway 4 and brings year round, sustainable

tourism to the Waimarino• RPG works closely with Visit Ruapehu, Ohakune 2000, National Park Business

Association, Tourism New Zealand and Te Kahui Tupua?

Strategic Approach• Approach strategic partners with 2020 Vision for Raetihi • RPG to establish sub-committees to drive projects • Appoint a coordinator to work with community implementing action plan and to ensure maximum

participation in collective action. • Process approximately sixty 80 year old trees cut down by Ruapehu District Council on Parapara

Rd for use by community. Involves milling, transporting, chainsawing, storage and distribution of timber

• Outcomes will be timber for use in community projects such as Theatre Royal, Marae, School projects, Waimarino museum, Raetihi Information Centre. Timber will also be used by students of courses to make picnic tables and seats for Parks and Reserves and carvings for town entrances. Firewood for local service clubs to distribute to elderly and for fundraising to heat local swimming pool

• Recruit Ruapehu College Art Students to design and paint murals • Approach Whitireia and/or other training establishments regarding a satellite Digital Media school

where students learn to create sound and light displays• Identify opportunities for training to take place in taking Oral histories from Kaumatua and Elders

to create a history theme• Raetihi residents (adult and youth) are responsible for the content and design of stories, and, as

much is practicable, the displays• RPG and coordinator to work closely with the Waimarino Museum regarding restoration of static

implements• Liaise with local Iwi regarding Maori art and crafts school• Create brand and website

Strategic Approach - continued

• Promote Raetihi’s connection with and proximity to the Mangapurua Track and leverage all Cycleway media and travel trade opportunities

• Signage at significant junctions eg; Waiouru, Ohakune, SH4

• Trees planted along main street

• Lights on bridge and walkway to Makotuku River

• Main Street footpaths completed

• Plaques on buildings

• Event Promotion; A&P Show, Waimarino Rodeo, Raetihi Ripper, Raetihi Christmas Parade, Waimarino Art Awards

• Add more events to Raetihi calendar of activity

• Develop a database to communicate directly with stakeholders (community, travel trade, businesses, sponsors/partners)

• Target visitors, youth and extended family/friends of Raetihi residents through social media ie; Facebook and Twitter

• Celebrate every local success through media channels; YouTube, FB, Twitter, newspapers, magazines etc

• Utilise the Raetihi Times to communicate with stakeholders who do not have access to email

Strategic Partners• Ruapehu District Council

• Local Iwi

• PowerCo - funding applications close 28 Feb 10

• Lotteries Commission and Department of Internal Affairs $56,000 grant applied for

• Pub Charities

• Genesise Eneergy Whanganui River Enhancement Trust

• Education facility such as Whitireia Community Polytechnic

• Creative NZ

• Corporate Electronics Companies

• Ministry of Social and Economic Development

• Private investors such as Brooke Mitchell

Activity Timeline 20102009/2010 SUB-COMMITTEE JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Lights on Bridge Geoff

Makatuku River Walkway Arthur, Grant, Tania

Main Street Upgrade Mike Nash, Geoff, Sandy

Xmas Parade Ali, Grant, Joy, Glynis

Shop Imagery Michael & Lucy

Removal of neglected buildings Arthur, Sandy

Mangapurua Cycleway Sandy, Ali, Lucy, Tania

Website Chris

Waimarino Art Awards Trish

Milling of Douglas Fir Trees Grant

Chills Off Paul, Shirley, Lucy

Activity Timeline - continued

• Milling of Douglas Fir Trees• Grant

• Chills Off• Paul, Shirley, Fleur, Lucy

2009/2010 SUB-COMMITTEE

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Museum Bernice, Michael

A&P Show Sandy, Bernice

Rodeo ?

Rotary Don

Youth Group Dionne

Theatre Don, Lucy

ICONZ Paul

Raetihi Information Centre Geoff, Bernice

Country Market Day Tania, Joy

Ohakune 2000

National Park Business Association

Other: REAP, Tamahaki, Uenuku, WMRTO, Journeys on the Whanganui