|
Hi <<First Name>>,
Welcome to our first business newsletter for 2021!
This week has been a timely reminder for many of us about the importance of remaining vigilant against COVID-19 and keeping track of our movements. Make QR Tracer codes easily accessible for customers and clients, and encourage your visitors to sign in every time they stop in.
We have included the link to the QR code generator just in case you need it again. In the meantime, read on to find out more about:
- Destination Plan discussion sessions
- A youth initiative which has received PGF funding
- How to apply to the Māori Economic Development Fund
- WellingtonNZ promotion of Kāpiti as a destination
- Upcoming events
|
|
With the more transmissible variant of the COVID-19 virus reaching our shores it is more important than ever to ensure that as individuals we are scanning at every site we enter. Business owners should make this process as simple as possible customers and visitors.
Some handy tips:
- laminated posters can be challenging to capture. While they are more likely to last sometimes planning to reprint often is better
- set your posters up so they face the customer both as they come in AND as they leave
- scatter posters at key points around your site such as in changing room cubicles and by your checkout
- don't forget that not everyone is 1.65m high - those in wheelchairs or mobility scooters need codes to be lower so they scan them
- ensure you have a notebook or printout handy for those who don't use a phone to scan.
At this stage Government are not looking to make scanning mandatory, encouraging best practice with your customers is highly advised.
Click here for COVID-19 business resources.
|
|
Locals invited to provide input into Destination Management Plan
Council is developing a Destination Management Plan of the Kāpiti Coast, a key priority of the Kāpiti District Economic Development Strategy 2020–23, and we need your input.
What is a Destination Management Plan?
A Destination Management Plan begins with a stocktake of all the aspects of a destination that attract people and contribute to their experience while there – whether they’re visiting for business, a holiday, to study, or moving in. This includes things like transport links and accommodation, and how that fits in with visitor markets and trends. From there, the plan identifies the aspirations for what our visitor’s experience could look like, and the actions we would need to take as a district to get there.
Why is it so important?
This is an important piece of work for Kāpiti for a number of reasons.
Firstly, all districts within the Greater Wellington region will be developing their own Destination Management plan with funding support from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment via WellingtonNZ. Each district’s plan will then feed into and form part of a wider regional Wellington Destination Management plan. Having these plans in place will help us understand our community's aspirations, the work required to bridge the gaps and is a requirement in accessing potential central government funding.
Defining Kāpiti's destination aspirations through this plan means we can ensure the things that we value the most as a community, like sustainably and protecting our environment, are at the forefront of our actions. Having a regional plan also allows us to compare ourselves against our neighbours and clearly identify our strengths and advantages so that we aren’t competing for the same visitor markets.
Why do we need your thoughts?
For our plan to be a holistic and accurate representation of where we are and we would like to go as a district with our Destination Management Plan, we need the perspectives and experiences of a wide range of our community. Through your role in our business sector, you have unique insights that will help us build a plan for a Kāpiti experience that represents your aspirations and will see our district prosper into the future.
Join us on Thursday 11th February 2021
We are holding sessions with our iwi partners, our elected members, tourism sectors operators, infrastructure providers, community and business groups, and community leaders. We will also be encouraging our wider community to contribute their thoughts via online engagement tools.
You are invited to participate in a session specifically for the business sector, facilitated by Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana and Brad Kirner from TRC Tourism to define the current aspirations for our district, and to identify the opportunities and the barriers that exist on the journey to achieving those aspirations.
Learn more at our website and book to attend a session here.
|
|
Free digital skills training for small businesses
Business.govt.nz are offering free digital training through Digital Boost. Learn how to reach more customers, make business processes more efficient and get better insights from data. Find out more here
|
|
|
New tools popular with Kiwi businesses
Business.govt.nz provide a round-up of the new resources launched in 2020 to help small businesses around New Zealand.
Find out more here
|
|
|
Visa Wellington on a Plate 2021 planning well underway
The 2021 Visa Wellington on a Plate Participant Guidelines are now available!
There are some significant changes this year, including a reduced regional fee for those not based in Wellington City - great news for Kāpiti! Download here
|
|
|
A separate email will be sent in coming days to Kāpiti eateries about the annual information session. Please come along and ask any questions of the VWOAP team. We'll also be discussing the new fees structure, a $5000 grant available to event organisers and a subsidised event entry fee.
Make sure you have these dates in your diary:
|
|
Skills and wellbeing pilot programme gets PGF funding to help youth
We are delighted to announce that a two-year pilot programme with a strong focus on Ōtaki rangatahi aged between 15-24 has received $995,000 from the He Poutama Rangatahi initiative, a fund managed by the Provincial Development Unit.
The Te Hunga Rangatahi pilot programme has received the funding to provide wellbeing support and skills training to youth who are most at risk of long-term unemployment, including those transitioning from school that need extra support.
The pilot programme will be based in Ōtaki and launched this year, led Council in partnership with Work Ready Kāpiti, Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki and Ministry of Social Development.
|
|
WellingtonNZ actively promoting the Kāpiti Coast
WellingtonNZ (formerly Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency) ramped up promotion of Kāpiti as a destination across their digital channels - including Facebook, Know Wellington email and on their website during late 2020. A project undertaken just before Christmas saw the Find Your Wild regional trails team receive updated information of over 20 trails in our region and we expect to see these coming live on a regional trails website in the coming weeks. With such competition for the domestic tourism dollar, it is great to see that the strengthened relationship between the organisations is benefitting our region.
Want to see what they have been doing? Head to www.wellingtonnz.com and search Kāpiti or check out the events page here: A guide to upcoming events on the Kāpiti coast - WellingtonNZ.com
|
|
|
Applications open for Māori Economic Development Fund
|
|
The 2020/21 Māori Economic Development Fund is now open to whānau, hapū, iwi and mātāwaka in Kāpiti to help develop their business or social enterprise.
A total of $60,000 is available for projects that align to the Māori Economic Development strategy.
|
|
|
For more information about the Māori Economic Development strategy, including how to apply for a grant, visit: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/maori-ed-grant
Applications close 5pm, 5 February 2021.
|
|
Re-Imagining Kāpiti
5.30-7.30pm, 11 February 2021
Southward Car Museum
Come along to hear from specialist strategist Chris Wilkinson on re-imagining Kāpiti and making the most of our unique retail environment. Register here
|
|
|
XTERRA Wellington Festival
13 February 2021
Queen Elizabeth Park
XTERRA is a completely unique, off road triathlon, duathlon and trail running experience.
|
|
|
If you are looking for a different challenge this year then you should seriously the XTERRA Wellington Festival held right here in the Kāpiti Coast. You can choose from 3 different run events, a 31km mountain bike, a duathlon, a short triathlon or a long triathlon. There really is no other coastal festival of sport like it in New Zealand.
xterrawellingtonfestival.co.nz
www.facebook.com/XTERRAWellingtonFestival
|
|
|
Further Government Support and information
Government financial support remains available for businesses. This includes:
|
|
|
Further information for businesses and employees is available on the government's Covid-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/business-work-and-money/.
Information about Council services at each Alert Level can be found here: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz.
|
|
|
During the immediate impact of Covid-19, you were included in our contact list to receive business support emails. By continuing to opt in to our monthly business updates, you'll receive info about programmes and services on offer, updates on central government funding and opportunities, and you'll stay connected and informed about our work in the district. We hope to see you again next month.
Kind regards,
Leanna Hill
Acting Manager Economic Development
Kāpiti Coast District Council
Tel 04 296 5486
Mobile 027 5558 486
|
|
|
|
