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Policy Review
Committee
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28 September 2016
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To: Venture
Southland Joint Committee
Date: 15
August 2016
Subject: Projects
and Activities Update June – July 2016
Author: Hunter
Andrews, Communications Manager
Approved: Paul
Casson, Chief Executive
SUMMARY
Venture Southland projects and
activities update for June – July 2016.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT THE VENTURE SOUTHLAND PROJECTS AND ACITIVITES REPORT -
JUNE – JULY 2016 REPORT BE RECEIVED.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This recommendation is consistent with the Venture Southland
Business Plan 2016/17, which has been adopted following public consultation.
HIGHLIGHTS CONTAINED
WITHIN THE REPORT:
Southland Youth Futures –
‘Invest in Youth’
On the 4th and 5th August, 196
students from three rural secondary schools spent time listening to employers
talks, after they had attended Career Fest at ILT Stadium Southland.
The Southland Youth Futures ‘Invest in Youth’ programme
businesses Agricentre South Ltd, Ballace Agri-Nutrients, Niagara,
Macaulay Ford, McNeill, Farm Right and Digital Stock spoke and provided an
insight in to type of careers that they each had to offer.
New Course: Lean BPI (Business Process Improvement) Programme
We are pleased to announce a new 1-day programme designed
specifically for smaller businesses (less than 10-15 staff). The 1-day
programme has been trialed in June and August with a total of 22 businesses
completing the course. Feedback has been positive and businesses feel they have
gain a good introduction to the principles and application of Lean Thinking
with specific focus on the way in which they work. The programme does not
include any detailed training on 5S, however this is offered as a separate 2-day
course which will be combined with other Lean Cluster businesses in Nov/Dec.
Following the survey feedback a decision has been made to extend
this course to the 2-day format to pack in more critical learning around root
cause analysis/problem solving and spent more time on developing their future
state processes. A series of 2nd day workshops will be offered to
the pilot groups.
Southland District
(Disabled) Accessibility Map
Venture Southland and the
Southland District Council (SDC) have partnered together to develop an A3
tear-off map of the Southland District, which identifies all disabled friendly
areas including tracks, toilets, eateries, taverns, museums, libraries and
information centres. While there are a number of disabled friendly areas
and facilities, it was identified that there was a need to communicate their
existence as many people were not aware of where they were.
The end goal was to encourage
disabled residents and visitors to get out and about with confidence in and
around the district.
This map is available in hard-copy (coloured, landscape, A3
tear-off pad) at i-SITE’s, Council offices and other agencies and in a
PDF version for emailing, as well as on the Southland District Council and
Venture Southland website.
More information is in the main body of the activity report.
ILT Kidzone Festival
Southland’s most popular family event, the ILT Kidzone
Festival took place for the twelfth time over six days in the July school
holidays from Wednesday 13 July to Monday 18 July, 2016. ILT Kidzone provided a
fun-filled, action-packed few days and it was lots of fun as well, albeit the
challenging conditions! Our patron numbers were once again significantly
pleasing with close to 11,000 tickets sold for the 2016 festival. We are currently
processing the post-event bits and pieces including reporting and financials
Tourism Trade
Familiarisations
Southland is hosting two
major famils that both reinforce target markets (e.g. Australia Self Drive) and
emerging markets (cruise).
· Preparation
for Crystal Cruise Famil in conjunction with TNZ. 1 TNZ representative, 1
Crystal Cruises Operations Manager 3 Representatives from Cruise NZ into
Stewart Island/Rakiura in August. Invercargill and Stewart Island.
· Preparation
for Flight Centre Famil in September in conjunction with TNZ.
Participants are product managers and front liners from Flight Centres around
Australia (4 x NSW, 3 x QLD, 1 x SA, 1 x VIC). Through Fiordland into
Southland including Invercargill, Bluff and Curio Bay.
Chinese Results
The Venture Southland
Tourism and Events team has been working on expanding the profile of Southland
and Invercargill specifically into the Chinese market, with efforts
starting to show results. Through a combination of working with chiense media,
chinese trade, iSITE operations (including China Pay option) and digital media
initiatives over 8 media results and 4 trade initiatives have been developed
over the last two months.
BUSINESS
AND ENTERPRISE
Southland Youth Futures –
‘Invest in Youth’
On the 4th and
5th August, 196 students from three rural secondary schools spent
time listening to employers talks, after they had attended Career Fest at ILT
Stadium Southland.
The Southland Youth
Futures ‘Invest in Youth’ programme businesses Agricentre
South Ltd, Ballace Agri-Nutrients, Niagara, Macaulay Ford, McNeill, Farm Right
and Digital Stock spoke and provided an insight in to type of careers
that they each had to offer.
Feedback received was
very positive.
Regional Business Partner Programme
Venture Southland successfully completed the 2015/2016
funding year of the Regional Business Partner Programme, allocating $180,000
across 214 Southland businesses over the year. The 2016/2017 year has started
well, with updated KPIs being negotiated with NZTE and a range of promotional
activities to raise awareness of the programme, including advertorials in both
the Southland Times and Southland Express in July 2016.
Building on previous new product development workshops,
Venture Southland, in partnership with Callaghan Innovation are to run a number
of ‘Design Thinking’ and ‘Innovation Ready’ workshops
in the region across the year, to help prepare businesses for innovation and to
make those who are already innovating more aware of the range of programmes and
services on offer. This four part innovation series is designed to assist
companies to understand the innovation pathway with the intent of driving
increased volumes of R & D. The four workshops will include:
· ‘New
Product Development’ (NPD) - getting the basics right (& what not
to do - mistakes) – 12 July – 12 representatives from 11 Southland
businesses attended. Feedback was extremely positive and numbers registered on
the second workshop are up. The business team is working with three
businesses from the first workshop on Callaghan Innovation funding applications
· ‘The
latest thinking in NPD’ - Lean NPD – 18 August – to date,
19 people from 14 business have registered
· ‘A
tool to gain better customer insights’ - D-thinking – 27 September
– to date, 19 people from 11 businesses have registered
· ‘Building
smarter innovations’ (10 types of innovations) – 18 October
– to date, 21 from 14 businesses have registered
Two workshops aimed at the Tourism sector have also been
organised for July and August 2016.
The first workshop, ‘Investment Decisions in
Tourism’, focused on investment strategies in tourism. On 22nd
of July, Stephen Hamilton, hotel and tourism investment specialist, spoke to an
audience of 20 people representing various regional organisation and tourism
operators about the importance of understanding the market, challenges and
constraints, and provided insight into how to price and cost tourism products,
forecast employment requirements and understand critical investment success
factors.
The next workshop, ‘Tourism Product
Development’, scheduled for 24th of August, will be led by top
consultants Maven. This workshop is aimed at tourism operators, business
people, policy makers and community groups with an interest in product
development or who are looking adding/developing further tourism products.
These build on workshops undertaken last year aimed at the
Tourism sector and have been co-promoted with two Tourism marketing workshops
being presented by the Venture Southland Tourism team.
Southland Dairy Lean – Farm Tune
Following the continued success of the Southland Lean initiative,
DairyNZ are committed to establishing Lean as a core business activity. Venture
Southland is continuing to work with DairyNZ to ensure the programme is
scalable at the required standard to ensure positive outcomes. To date, 35
Southland farms have been through the programmes.
Lean Manufacturing - 2016 Lean Cluster
The 6 participating companies in the 2016 Lean Manufacturing
Programme have nearly completed their 6-month training course, with Workshop #7
delivered on Tuesday, 2 August. All 6 teams are progressing well and busy
developing improved ‘Future State’ business processes and starting
to transform their physical workspaces in a specific ‘pilot area’
of the business (application of 5S).
The businesses have also been busy developing their 2 year
Implementation Plan which will be presented back to the group along with their
Lean ‘Journey’, to date, at the programme Review Session to be held
on the 15th September. All Committee members are welcome to attend
the final Session to hear their stories and celebrate the completion of another
successful Lean cluster programme.
Annual Forum; 1-2-1 Lean Check Ups; Lean Accelerator and 5S Training
Programmes
Following the full 6-month intensive Lean Programme, businesses are
supported by Venture Southland through a range of initiatives and training
events, including the Annual Forum which was held in June. Additional to the
Annual Forum, Lean Accelerator and 5S Training short courses have been
delivered in June and July. These 2-day intensive courses are designed to
upskill new staff/managers within businesses that have already completed the
Venture Southland Lean Management Programme. Again, feedback from business
owners/managers and staff have been overwhelmingly positive, confirming the
value of continuing short-course training. 45 people completed the Lean
Accelerator and 5S Training courses in June/July.
Upcoming:
· Due
to increased demand we will be running an additional 5S Training Programme
during Nov/Dec.
· Cluster
Event: Lean Visit to Tiwai with Clinton Yeats in December.
· Other
formal and informal vists to other Lean Businesess
We are pleased to announce a new 1-day programme designed
specifically for smaller businesses (less than 10-15 staff). The 1-day
programme has been trialed June and August with a total of 22 businesses
completing the course.
Small Business Roadshow
On July 4th,
Venture Southland assisted MBIE with holding a small business roadshow to
highlight the available services provided. Over 100 people attended this
session at the Kelvin Hotel.
This national series was
organised by MBIE and the Minister of Small Business - Minister Craig Foss. It
provided a general overview of available services and support, and also
case studies of local businesses who have utilised the services.
The series incorporated
the Regional Business Partner programme and wider government services,
including IRD, WorksafeNZ, NZTE, Callaghan Innovation and ACC. It also provided
a vehicle for local businesses to provide feedback on services and programmes
currently available.
Wood
Energy South
The Wood
Energy South project team hosted a symposium on Thursday 21 July attended by 45
people. It was an exciting opportunity for commercial and industrial heat plant
users, owners, and stakeholders to learn more about biomass boilers and their
application in Southland. This event covered case studies on converting
existing coal boilers, installing new biomass boilers and co-firing
opportunities (combining coal and woodchip).
All
presentations have been made available on www.woodenergysouth.co.nz and have been shared with industry associations and organisations
investigating their energy options.
Methane Recovery
Dairy
Green hosted a site visit for EECA, Venture Southland on 22 July to see the
system in place and is expecting the commissioning to be completed in
mid-August. As milking has started and more effluent is being pumped into the
pond there has been good gas production. Dairy Green have received a lot of
positive feedback on the project and farmers interested in installing the
system following articles published in the Southland express and the Fiordland
Advocate.
Venture Southland is now developing a monitoring plan and funding
proposal with NIWA, EECA and DairyNZ to support the concept of making this a
reliable and streamlined process.
Silica
Venture Southland has completed a Silica
Opportunity profile and this has been peer reviewed and passed on to a number
of interested parties. This project is focused on process technology, market
trends, infrastructure, electricity demands and the consent related matters,
economic impacts and financial viability.
Detailed analysis
of the Southland silica gravel samples has been conducted by SINTEF, Norway, confirmed the presence of high quality silica
deposits which can be processed
to manufacture electronics grade
and solar grade silicon. A number of
interested parties are currently evaluating the opportunity.
Space Industry – Ground Stations
Robin McNeill attended SpaceOps 2016
conference in May, where he presented a joint McNeill/Canny paper describing
the developments at Awarua. At the conference, Robin was able to market Awarua
Satellite Ground Station to a number of very interested space agencies. There
are a number of promising leads that are being followed up. It also provided an
important and necessary opportunity to renew acquaintances with existing
colleagues in the space operations sector. Approximately 600 people attended
the conference.
Venture Southland continues to lead MBIE and
MFAT to renew the NZ Government – European Space Agency Arrangement.
SOUTHLAND TOURISM & EVENTS TEAM
Media Results and Familiarisations
Venture Southland hosts a number
of famils with media different platforms including social media, print and
digital. Please see list below that includes the areas that were explored along
with the journalists name and publications they are associated with. Southland
stories from famils (familiarisation) facilitated by Venture Southland have
featured in number of national and international magazines, newspapers,
international websites and television shows.
A list of these is appended.
Trade Shows, Famils & Promotion
The utilisation of trade
channels such as inbound operators (IBOs) and national tourism organisations
(Tourism NZ) is a recognised format for driving sales to commissionable
products (businesses that charge and offer commission to distribution channels)
and building brand recognition in an affordable manner. Trade activities for
the period include:
· Attended
Best of New Zealand Road Show with Tourism NZ on behalf of IMA (Waitaki, Dunedin,
and Southland). Targeted 4 of the largest cities in the US. Presented at
13 events over 4 cities in 5 days. 460 Agents and 50 consumers
reached. South very well received.
· Organising
Crystal Cruise Famil in conjunction with TNZ. 1 TNZ representative, 1
Crystal Cruises Operations Manager 3 Representatives from Cruise NZ into
Stewart Island/Rakiura in August. Invercargill and Stewart Island.
· Preparation
for Flight Centre Famil in September in conjunction with TNZ.
Participants are product managers and front liners from Flight Centres around
Australia (4 x NSW, 3 x QLD, 1 x SA, 1 x VIC). Through Fiordland into
Southland including Invercargill, Bluff and Curio Bay.
· Preparing
to represent Southland at Southern Trade Days event in Auckland August 3 &
4. Also working with 3 Operators attending from Southland.
Consumer Campaigns,
Digital/Social Media and Consumer Shows
Southland tourism team
undertakes and participates in a number of consumer focused campaigns. These
appeal directly to consumers to create awareness, shape perceptions, influence
decision making and act as call to actions through major information sources.
Below is a list of consumer activities undertaken by Venture Southland for the
past three months:
· On ya bike
campaign preparation. Partnering with NZME this campaign is targeting the North
Island domestic tourism shoulder season market of recreational cyclists and
mountain bikers. Promoting the amazing cycling and mountain biking
opportunities that we have in Southland such as Around the Mountain cycle trail
and mountain biking trails in Invercargill and Bluff among others. To be
executed at the beginning of September, 2016.
· Great NZ Summer
Road Trip preparation. Partnering with NZME this campaign is targeting the
North Island domestic tourism summer season market of holiday makers and road
trippers. Promoting the fantastic recreational activities associated with the
Southern Scenic Route, Northern Southland, Gore and Stewart Island. To be
executed mid-October.
· South
Island Journeys preparation. Partnering with Tourism New Zealand this campaign
is targeting the Australian market. TNZ along with major partners such as
Flight Centre, SOUTH, THL Rentals, AirNZ and Jetstar are contributing a
significant investment (around $1 million) towards the campaign which
includes outdoor advertising, video placement, content generation, digital rich
media, banner advertising etc. The campaign will be promoting five unique South
Island Journeys, one of which is the Southern Scenic Route, including all
relevant businesses along the way. Venture Southland are providing a large
amount of content for the Southland section of this campaign. (mid-September)
· Our
NZ Escape social media, blog and itinerary promotional campaign (October)
· Wildboy
(social influencer) circumnavigation of Stewart Island (November)
Product
Development, Industry Engagement, Business Advice and Projects
The
tourism team met with and advised a variety of tourism sector operators and
undertaking projects in relation to:
• Coachman’s
Inn – Invercargill
• New
accommodation propositions (x3) – Western Southland, Fiordland, Stewart
Island
• Cycling
and Walking product projects – Fiordland, Gore, Invercargill
• Heritage
product projects (x3) – Riverton, Invercargill
• Farm
product projects (x – Northern Southland
• Investment
Decisions in Tourism workshop (held on 22 July with 26 attendees)
• Tourism
Product Development workshop (to be held on 24th August)
• Tourism
Digital Marketing workshop (to be held on 1st September)
• Tourism
Getting Ready for Trade workshop (to be held on 29th September)
• Visitor
Strategy RFP with Southland Regional Development Strategy
• Southland
Regional Development Strategy, representing in working groups for Tourism and
Destination Attraction
ILT Kidzone Festival
Southland’s most popular family event, the ILT Kidzone
Festival took place for the twelfth time over six days in the July school
holidays from Wednesday 13 July to Monday 18 July, 2016. ILT Kidzone provided a
fun-filled, action-packed few days and it was lots of fun as well, albeit the
challenging conditions! Our patron numbers were once again significantly
pleasing with close to 11,000 tickets sold for the 2016 festival. We are
currently processing the post-event bits and pieces including reporting and
financials.
Matariki Festival 2016
The annual celebration of Maori New Year took place on the
18 and 19 June at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery delivering a suite of
events including a programme of Maori filmmakers' short films from the Wairoa
Maori Film Festival, weaving workshops and kapa haka performances.
Lifting Up The Arts--mentoring workshop for youth
Venture Southland and the Murihiku Maori and Pasifika
Cultural Trust delivered a two-day, live-in workshop for young people focussed
on a potential career in the Arts. Five tutors, from the professional arts
industries worked with twenty-one young people. Eight students from Central
Southland College, Fiordland College, Northern Southland College, Aparima
College and Limehills School attended. The workshops involved acting and music
and was supported with funding from the SDC Creative Communities Scheme.
DESTINATION FIORDLAND
Effectively Engage with Travel Trade & Market
Development
· TEC Conference bid
in progress to be submitted by 24th September
· Sarah attended the
Lower South Island Operators Trade Show in Auckland 2-4 August
Domestic and International Marketing
· Our New Zealand
Escape – see above. This will be aired on NZ TV on TV One and on
Air NZ inflight entertainment for 2 years
· Featured in the
Air New Zealand Kia Ora Magazine Events page for the Te Anau Illuminations
Festival
· Planning stages of
Lower South Island iSITE visits and training
· Contributing to
the Southern Scenic Route attendance at the Christchurch Show
· Date set for
Fiordland Tourism Expo – 14th October 2016
Via Southern Lakes International Marketing Alliance
· SL attended Kiwi
Link India & Singapore in July (DQ attended)
· SL will attend
Best of US series in September: Boston, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver (DF
attending)
· SL will attend
Kiwi Link SE Asia (LWT attending)
Appendix 2 - More information of Destination Fiordland Media
Engagement in
South Island Road Trips campaign - Via SOUTH marketing
alliance
Tourism New Zealand is launching its biggest marketing
campaign for 2017 in Australia on the 12th September. It will run for 6
weeks and will promote travel to the South Island for the period March to May
2017 using Christchurch as the gateway airport. The campaign incorporates
14 South Island Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) across 5 touring routes
and is called the South Island Journeys campaign. The Southern Scenic
Route is one of the 5 featured journeys and we will be providing images and
content for the campaign. (Both VS and Destination Fiordland are SOUTH members)
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
TEAM
REGIONAL INITIATIVES
AND SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
Curio Bay Tumu Toka
Vision
The South Catlins Charitable Trust, working alongside their
partners SDC, DOC and local iwi, have reached an exciting time as a number of
projects they have planned around the Curio Bay camp ground area come together.
Venture Southland is providing overall assistance with
coordination of all components associated with achieving the vision and working
closely with the Trust in particular. The project is at a critical stage
after many years of preparation.
· SDC start
construction of the wastewater treatment plant at the end of August.
· DOC have received
Resource Consent for the construction of the car park with work to start around
November
· Plans are now
completed for the Natural Heritage Visitor Centre. The Trust has decided to
delay construction of the Natural Heritage Visitor Centre to March 2017, after
the next penguin breeding season.
· Venture Southland
is currently facilitating an Expressions of Interest process on behalf of the
Trust for the overall business operation of the Curio Bay reserve. This
operation could include the Visitor Centre café, interpretation and
retail. It is envisaged the camping ground component being subleased to
managers.
· The Trust’s
Ablution and Kitchen building fit out is now well underway and this building
should be onsite within the camp ground in November.
· Successful
Governance Group meeting held in June and July.
· AGM held at
Tokanui RSA Hall on 14th July with Fergus Sutherland, Tourism representative on
the South East Marine Protection Forum, guest speaker.
With growth in tourism in the region, particularly in the
Catlins and along the Southern Scenic Route, there is more and more need for
improved visitor management, provision of adequate infrastructure and high
quality unique visitor experiences – all which will be provided with this
project thanks to a collaborative approach from key stakeholders.
Health and Safety
Workshops
With the new Health and Safety at
Work Act comming into force on 4 April 2016, Venture Southland identified a
need to have information available specifically for not-for-profit
organisations, volunteer groups and community organisations to cater for the
impact the new Health and Safety Act will have on the running of their
organisations and events in the future.
The Venture Southland Community Development team have partnered
with the Southland Community Law Centre, and have presented a seven free
workshops throughout the Southland region, specifically catering for what the
Health and Safety Act will mean for voluntary community organisations.
The workshops were held in the following places –
No
Attending
- Invercargill – 23 May 2016 45
- Gore – 2 June 2016 34
- Lumsden – 7 June 2016 22
- Wyndham – 8 June
2016 35
- Winton – 14 June
2016 46
- Otautau – 16 June
2016 36
- Te Anau - 23 June 2016 40
Southland District
(Disabled) Accessibility Map
Venture Southland and the
Southland District Council (SDC) have partnered together to develop an A3
tear-off map of the Southland District, which identifies all disabled friendly
areas including tracks, toilets, eateries, taverns, museums, libraries and
information centres. While there are a number of disabled friendly areas
and facilities, it was identified that there was a need to communicate their
existence as many people were not aware of where they were.
The
end goal was to encourage disabled residents and visitors to get out and about
with confidence in and around the district.
Venture Southland staff working collaboratively
with Janet Thomas (SDC Team Leader Customer Support and Inclusive Communities
Liaison) completed the first two stages of the project which required
the identification and verification of areas and facilities suitable for the
map. This required a process of contacting a significant number of
possible areas and facilities to ascertain whether they could be included on
the map or not. There was also an assessment of public facilities
(including toilets) undertaken as well as walking tracks alongside the Department
of Conservation.
It is interesting to
note that while the focus was to identify facilities suitable for those with
disabled access, these facilities are also suitable for those with small
children in prams. There was interest in particular in which walking
tracks could be accessed and used by both wheel chairs and prams.
The project relates directly
to the Southland District Council Inclusive Communities Strategy and Action
Plan which aims to reduce barriers to participation in the community by providing
an environment that is equally accessible to all people, physically, socially
and culturally. Venture Southland supports this Strategy and approach as
demonstrated with the collaborative partnership undertaken with this project.
This map is available in hard-copy (coloured, landscape, A3
tear-off pad) at i-SITE’s, Council offices and other agencies and in a
PDF version for emailing, as well as on the Southland District Council and
Venture Southland website.
RESEARCH AND
STRATEGIES
Southland Cycling Strategy
Status: UNDERWAY -
due to be completed August 2016.
This is a joint strategy undertaken with Southland District
Council, Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council and Environment
Southland along with cycling groups, to provide direction for planning and
investment decisions, identifying feasible projects for inclusion in future
works programmes aimed at improving cycling infrastructure and opportunities in
the region. The process is tracking according to schedule with the Strategy due
to be presented to key stakeholders for feedback and public review shortly.
Catlins Tourism Strategy Review
Status: COMPLETED
– implementation phase
The development of this document was facilitated by Venture
Southland at the request of the local community. This strategy is now final
after consultation with key stakeholders and forms part of the wider Southland
Visitor Strategy and closely links with SoRDS. Venture Southland is currently
working alongside Catlins Coast Inc. to develop an implementation plan for the
strategy.
Pool Heating Assessments
Status: COMPLETED
The Pool Heating assessment reports have identify for each
pool various options in regards to making their pool more energy and cost
efficient. Monitoring of the pools that have installed new heating systems will
continue through the next season as this information will be useful for other
pools looking at similar technology.
Pool heating assessments have been completed for the
following pools - Tuatapere, Riversdale, Otautau, Manapouri, Fiordland,
Hauroko, and Riverton.
The final assessment is currently underway for the Tokanui
Pool with the first draft of this report imminent. This assessment was an
addition to the original brief.
LOCAL INITIATIVES
The Community Development team work alongside a large number
of community groups and initiatives throughout the year, providing a range of
services. The following are a brief update of just some of these
projects:
Winton Memorial Hall Upgrade
Venture Southland staff have continued to work alongside the
Winton Community Board as they complete a major upgrade of their Hall. Funding
has successfully been secured for the project from Lottery Community Facility
Fund, SDC Community Initiatives Fund, Community Trust of Southland, Lion Foundation
and Southern Trust.
Wyndham and Districts Historical Society
Due to seismic issues with the current location of the
Wyndham museum it will be closed to the public by January 2018. Venture
Southland has been working alongside Southland District Council, Southland
Regional Heritage Committee and with the Society to plan for the inventory and
packing of their collection. Venture Southland is continuing to work alongside
the Society to identify possible options for relocation and requirements for
future heritage interpretation opportunities.
Lumsden
Heritage Trust
Venture Southland have assisted the Lumsden Heritage Trust
with their proposal to the Southland District Council for the lease of Railway
Carriages from Wairio. The Heritage Trust was successful in obtaining the lease
of passenger carriage A525. Venture Southland will continue to
provide ongoing assistance as the Trust progress with this project.
Northern Southland Development Trust
Venture Southland has assisted the Northern Southland
Development Trust with funding applications to Southland Regional Heritage
Fund, Northern Southland Development Fund and SDC Community Initiatives Fund
for the updating and printing of the Northern Southland Heritage
Brochure. Venture Southland also assisted the Trust with their AGM in
June.
Manapouri Hall upgrade
Venture Southland staff have worked alongside the Manapouri
CDA to secure funding for the next stage of their hall upgrade. Funding has
been secured from Community Trust of Southland and Southern Trust and will
allow the CDA to commence the next stage of the upgrade.
Appendix 1
SOUTHLAND TOURISM & EVENTS TEAM
Lost of Media Results and Familiarisations
· Wilderness
Magazine, Alina Suchanski, Result, August, Takitimus
· Wilderness
Magazine, Pat Barret, Result, August, Mavora Lakes, Livingstone Mountains
· Southern
Metropolis Weekly, Richard Liu, Result, July, Bluff Oyster Festival, Bluff
· NZ Herald, David
Fisher, Result, Who we are: Country music and ices down south, July, Bluff,
Gore
· Stuff.co.nz,
Caroline Botting, Result, Lets move to... Riverton, Fairfax Media – July
· Result - Tourist
Times, East and West Southland, Invercargill, Gore, Stewart Island - July 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Brittany Mackie, Bill Richardson Transport World to open Classic
Motorcycle Mecca, The Southland Times, Fairfax Media - July 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Georgia Weaver, Garments fitted for the Gore Hokonui Fashion
Design Awards, Southland Times, Gore, Hokonui Fashion Awards - July 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, 5 things to do in the Catlins, Brittany Pickett, Catlins,
Southland - July 2016
· Result - Six
things to do in Southland, Travel, NZ Herald News, Gore Fiordland, Catlins,
Invercargill, Stewart Island, Bluff - June 2016
· Result - Herald On
Sunday Travel, 6 of the best things to do in Southland, Gore, Fiordland,
Catlins, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Bluff - June 2016
· Result - Kia Ora
Magazine, Air New Zealand, Hokonui Fashion Awards, Te Anau Illumination
Festival, Gore, Te Anau - June 2016
· Result - Australia
& New Zealand Magazine, The Open Road, Catlins Coast - May 2016
· Result -
Wilderness Magazine, Hidden Gems of the long pathway, Evelyne De Boeck,
Takitimus, Te Araroa Trail - June 2016
· Result - Sina
Weibo, Southland Images, Southern Scenic Route - June 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Dave Nicoll, Venture Southland gets insight into Chinese
perspective of Southland, Elly Chang - June 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Southlanders being asked to open homes for guests of the World
Shearing and Wool Handling Championships, Lorneville Lodge & Holiday Park,
Karen Bellew, Southland - June 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Southland on the money as tourists buy in to the region,
Amber-Leigh Woolf, Southland, Bill Richardson Transport World - June 2016
· Result - Kia Ora
Winton - New Zealand Holidays, NZ Herald News, Winton, Southland - June 2016
· Result - Tourist
Times, Northern Southland, Western Southland, Stewart Island,
Invercargill - June 2016
· Result - New
Zealand Gardener, Jo McCarroll, A gardeners road trip to Gore, Northern
Southland, Gore - June 2016
· Result - New
Zealand Gardner, Culture Club, Robert Guyton, Riverton, Western Southland -
June 2016
· Result - We Chat,
Richard Liu, Director of D&L Travel, Bluff Oyster and Food Festival, Bluff,
Chinese Language - June 2016
· Result - Chinese
Travel Forum, Richard Liu, Director of D&L Travel, Stewart Island, Chinese
Language - June 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Fairfax Media, Hannah McLeod, Bluff boys hit the big-time in
'Crayfishers' - June 2016
· Result - Stuff.co.nz,
Fairfax Media, The Press, Ewan Sargent, 10 cool things about Invercargill -
June 2016
· Result -
Stuff.co.nz, Fairfax media, The Press, Hannah McLeod, Bluff Oyster & Food
Festival could expand in 2017 - May 2016
· Result:
Stuff.co.nz, Fairfax Media, The Press, Ewan Sargent, Bluff's beautiful oysters
are a national treasure, Bluff - June 2016
· Result - Tourism
New Zealand News, Motorcycles add new attraction to Invercargill’s
transport heritage, Bill Richardson Transport World - May 2016
· Result -
Wilderness Magazine, Shaun Barnett, Winters Better, Rakiura Track, Stewart
Island - June 2016
· Famil –
Asuka Trade Famil, Taiwanese, Southland and Fiordland – June 2016
· Famil – TV3
The Café, Debbie Griffiths Travel Segment, Invercargill, Catlins, Stewart
Island – June 2016
· Famil –
North and South Magazine, Mike White, Invercargill, Riverton – June 2016
· Famil –
Review Publishing, Caitlin Mitchell, Gore, Invercargill – July 2016
· Famil –
House Hunters International (TV), Southland
· Instagram
– Southland NZ following has increased by 23% since the end of May to
15,900 followers
· Facebook
– Southland NZ has 33,501 total followers and achieved a reach over
496,381 from 1 June to 29 July
· Burt
Munro Challenge – event media pitching
· Southland
Weibo account was established on 22 June. So far has 282 followers, has built
connections with key NZ tourism operators/RTOs.
o Weibo
article- Bill Richardson Transport World-over 18000views
o Weibo
article- Stewart Island-over 6500 views
o Weibo
article- Queens Park-3550 views
· Chinese
Travel magazine《私家地理Travel+Leisure》- Bluff, Bluff
Seafood Festival, Stewart Island, Invercargill, Bill Richardson Transport
World, Gore, Mataura, Fly Fishing, Hokonui Moonshine Whiskey, Slope Point,
Curio Bay
Appendix 2
Destination Fiordland Media and Member Engagement
· Tabi Salad –
Japanese Travel Magazine results (May visit) received – programme aired
on the 4th June – 6,073,804 viewers - NZ$1,037,542 Equivalent Advertising
Value (EAV) and featured Milford Sound cruise and kayak
· Hosted 2Tui
Productions for the Our NZ Escape TV programme. JV with Southland Tourism
team. Southland/Fiordland episode to be shown on the 29th October
(TBC). Social media opportunities being communicated now and prize
package request has gone out to operators involved.
· Hosted Taiwan
agent ASUKA media team – JV Southland & Fiordland feature for their
magazine
· Working on 2
Tourism New Zealand media files for spring.
· Working on a SE
Asia TV programme through NZ Trade and Industry
· Represented
Fiordland at the PGG Wrightson presentation in Queenstown – 7th August
· Presentation to
the TNZ Media and Content team & hosted for 4 days in Fiordland - 8 - 11
August
|
Policy Review
Committee
|
28 September 2016
|
SOUTHLAND DISTRICT
COUNCIL
DRAFT REMISSION AND POSTPONEMENT
OF RATES ON MĀORI
FREEHOLD LAND
This
policy applies to: Council and owners of Māori freehold land
DOCUMENT
CONTROL
|
Policy
owner:
Community
and Futures
|
TRIM
reference number:
R/16/8/13717
|
Effective
date:
1/07/2017
|
|
Approved
by:
|
Date
approved:
|
Next
review date:
1/07/2020
|
CONTENTS
1. PURPOSE.. 2
2. DEFINITIONS
AND ABBREVIATIONS.. 2
3. POLICY
DETAILS.. 2
3.1 Background. 2
3.2 Objectives. 3
3.3 Conditions
and Criteria for the Postponement and Remission of Rates on Maori Freehold
Land 3
3.4 Postponement
of Rates. 3
3.5 Remission
of Penalties. 3
3.6 Remission
of Rates. 4
3.7 Existing
decisions on Maori Freehold land. 4
3.8 Length
of decision. 4
4. ROLES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES.. 4
5. ASSOCIATED
DOCUMENTS.. 5
6. REVISION
RECORD.. 5
REMISSION AND POSTPONEMENT OF
RATES ON MĀORI
FREEHOLD LAND
1. PURPOSE
Southland
District Council has developed the Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land Policy (the Policy) to ensure fair and equitable collection of rates from
all sectors of the community. The
Policy recognises that certain Māori-owned lands have particular features, ownership
structures or other circumstances that make it appropriate to provide rates
relief.
The
Policy provides the framework for granting remissions and postponements for the
payment of rates and penalties on Māori
freehold land, as is adopted under
Section 102(2)(e) and Section 108 of the Local Government Act (2002).
2. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
|
LGA
|
Local Government Act (2002)
|
|
LGRA
|
Local Government (Rating) Act (2002)
|
|
Maori freehold land
|
Land whose beneficial ownership has been determined by the
Māori Land Court by freehold order.
|
|
Service Rates
|
Sewerage and water rates,
recycling and rubbish bin collection rates
|
|
Waahi Tapu
|
Place sacred to Maori in the
traditional, religious, ritual or mythological sense.
|
3. POLICY DETAILS
3.1 Background
The Southland District
Council carries out its rating function in accordance with the requirements of
the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002 (LGRA)
and the LGA.
All Māori
freehold land in the Southland District is liable for rates in the same manner
as if it were general land (as per section 91 LGRA).
Māori Freehold land is defined in the LGRA as land whose
beneficial ownership has been determined by a freehold order issued by the Māori Land
Court. Only land that is the subject of such an order may qualify for
remission or postponement under this policy.
Whether rates are remitted in
any individual case will depend on the individual circumstances of each
application. Schedule 11 of the LGA identifies the matters which must be
taken into account by Council when considering rates relief on Māori freehold
land.
When considering the
objectives listed below Council must take into account:
• the desirability and importance of the objectives
(3.2) to the District; and.
• whether remitting the rates would assist attainment of
those objectives.
3.2 Objectives
The objectives of rates remission and postponement on Māori
freehold land by Council are:
(a) supporting the use of the land by the owners for
traditional purposes;
(b) recognising and supporting the relationship of Māori and
their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands;
(c) avoiding further alienation of Māori freehold
land;
(d) facilitating any wish of the owners to develop the
land for economic use;
(e) recognising and taking account of the presence of waahi Waahi tapu Tapu that
may affect the use of the land for other purposes;
(f) recognising and taking account the importance of the
land in providing economic and infrastructure support for marae and associated
papakainga housing (whether on the land or elsewhere);
(g) recognising and taking account of the importance of
the land for community goals relating to:
i. the preservation of the natural character of the
coastal environment,
ii. the protection of outstanding natural features,
iii. the protection of significant indigenous vegetation
and significant habitats of indigenous fauna;
(h) recognising the level of community services provided
to the land and its occupiers;
(i) recognising matters related to the physical
accessibility of the land.
3.3 Conditions and Criteria for the
Postponement and Remission of Rates on Maori Freehold Land
Conditions for the rates to receive rates remission include
for defined Maori freehold land to be:
· Maori
freehold land as set out in the definitions
· not
occupied by a dwelling, out-building or commercial building; and
· not
used for economic benefit.
Applications for remission of rates on Māori freehold
land must be made in writing, and should include:
• a
description of the size, position and current use of the land,
• an
indication of the ownership and documentation that shows the land which is
subject to the application for rates remission is Māori freehold land,
• outline
future plans for the land (if any),
• sources
and level of income generated by the land (if any),
• financial
accounts if requested,
• outline
the reason for the request,
• describe
how the application meets any one or more of the objectives listed in 3.2.
Council may grant a remission of up to 100% of all rates,
except Service Rates.
3.4 Postponement of Rates
Council does not postpone rates for Māori freehold
land; however, it will remit 100% of rates (excluding Service Rates) on
application, if the application meets the criteria set out in 3.3.
3.5 Remission of Penalties
Remission on rates penalties on Māori freehold land
will be subject to application meeting the criteria set out in 3.3. Each
application will be considered on its merits and remission will be granted
where it is considered just and equitable to do so.
Where significant arrears exist, penalties may be remitted
whilst regular payments are made to reduce the arrears balance.
Decisions on remission of penalties will be made on the same
basis as remission of rates, with the delegated authority to remit penalties
being given to the Chief Financial Officer,
with recommendations from the Finance Manager.
3.6 Remission of Rates
An application for remission of rates must be considered by
the Chief Financial Officer.
All rates on Māori freehold land whose owners name or
names (or the name of the lessee) appears on the valuation roll (under Section
92 of the LGRA) will be collected in the usual manner of rate collection and
follow up.
All rates, rates arrears and penalties on Māori
freehold land vested in trustees will be collected from income derived from
that land and held by the trustees for the beneficial owners, but limited to
the extent of the money derived from the land and held by the trustees on
behalf of the beneficial owner or owners (as per Section 93 LGRA).
For Māori freehold land, any person who actually uses
the land whether for residing, farming, storage or any other use, whether they
have a lease or not, is liable to pay the rates (as per Section 96 LGRA).
The rates invoice will be delivered to that person and the rates will be
collected in the usual manner. Section 97 of the LGRA
provides for the person to be treated as having used the whole of the land for
the whole financial year, unless they can establish otherwise.
Rates arrears on Māori freehold land shall be reviewed
annually and amounts determined by Council as uncollectible shall be written
off (for accounting purposes) on such land.
3.7 Existing decisions on Māori
Freehold land
Any decisions made by Council regarding rates remissions on Māori
freehold land before
1 July 2017 remain recognised by Council.
3.8 Length of decision
Decisions regarding rates remission on Māori freehold
land remain in perpetuity, unless the land becomes occupied or used for
economic benefit. In this case, it is expected that the landowners would advise
Council of the change in land use. If there is evidence of the use of the land
for occupation or economic benefit, Council may request financial statements
regarding the property in order to review a decision. Reviews of decisions
regarding rates remission for Māori freehold land will be made by the Chief Financial Officer.
4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
|
Party/Parties
|
Roles and Responsibilities
|
|
Finance Manager
|
Receive applications and make recommendations to Chief Financial Officer for remission of rates
on Māori freehold land.
|
|
|
May request financial statements regarding the property if
there is evidence that the land is occupied or being used for economic
benefit.
|
|
|
May write off rates if the application is accepted
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Accept or decline applications for remission of rates on Māori
freehold land.
Review applications, if applicable, for remission of rates
on Māori freehold land.
|
5. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
· Local
Government Act (2002),
· Local
Government (Rating) Act (2002)
6. REVISION RECORD
|
Date
|
Version
|
Revision Description
|
|
2016
|
Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land
|
R/16/8/13717 – Long Term Plan 2018-2028
|
|
2015
|
Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land
|
R/15/6/10846 – Long Term Plan 2015-2025
|
|
2012
|
Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land
|
R/13/8/11136 - Long Term Plan 2012-2022
|
|
2007
|
Rates Remission Policy for Māori Freehold Land
|
2007/05/4523
|
|
26 June 2003
|
Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land
|
|
|
30 January 1997
|
Remission and Postponement of Rates on Māori Freehold
Land
|
|
