Takapuna Business Development Concept

In 1999 a foot traffic count taken in Takapuna found that of 13 areas in Takapuna CBD area, all were in decline with 7 of the 13 being as high as 35%.
There were approximately 12 empty shops in Hurstmere Road, which once was considered the prime shopping centre of North Shore City.

The Takapuna Business Association had been concerned about the decline for many years and had over a 5 year period had attempted to raise interest and give profile to separate rating (SR). In 2000 the Takapuna Business Association gained funding from North Shore City Council, contracted Town Centre Development Group (TCDG) to undertake the SR process which was successful. The rate was implemented in July 2001.

The TCDG was further contracted to establish the new Takapuna Business Association for the first year, with issues of accountability, transparency, governance and strategic direction part of the key brief. ...more

Warkworth Industry Development

From the original public meeting in 1992, people who were interested in economic development were brought together to discuss possible strategies.

The group consisted of six key businesspeople. The group was successful in gaining funding to develop several initiatives namely:

1. a mentoring system for existing businesses to expand
2. information and mentoring anyone who wanted to start a business
3. assistance for anyone who had new ideas which they wanted to explore the development of.

There was one mentor in full time employment for three years. The coverage was for the whole of Rodney District, not just Warkworth.

In March 1995, a performance survey was undertaken with eighty-five of 200 business responding. Eighty-one reported a combined total of over $1,600,000 spent on renovations and expansion since March 1993. Thirty-four businesses bought into Warkworth in the year to March 1993; eight in the year to March 1994 and 38 in the year to March 1995. They employed 60 more fulltime people in March 1995 than three years ago. Excellent results from Warkworth in Focus – a Mainstreet project. ...more