While it probably wasn't the most important thing the council had to do it was obvious that without having some sort of access to the beach, many people would be very frustrated and end up cutting their own tracks.

After a call to the council they had a look and in a very short time created a new roadway down to the beach.  If there is a silver lining in the floods, the river mouth now has a huge sandy area and has become a great spot for families.

The road is very well used and it has certainly made beach life a lot better.

So bouquets to the Hastings District Council.

Now if Telecom could just get XT working at Hawkes Bay most popular beach hangout so we could spend more time there. Vodafone coverage is now excellent.

Update after rain bomb of 8th January

Unfortunately Waimarama just got hammered again. Here's what it looks like now.

Bummer.

We are a well-resourced challenger brand about to embark on an all-out assault in this region for telecommunications services (broadband + calling + mobile).

Right now, we urgently need B2B sales specialists that have:
Demonstrated history of over achieving with B2B sales
Charisma and charm
Energy and drive
Honesty and integrity

These people will be responsible for enacting our SME sales plans and will be fully supported by the CEO, Marketing Manager and wider team.

These positions will be very well remunerated by salary and a very attractive uncapped commission scheme that seriously rewards performers!

There is also a real opportunity for one of these people to grow into the Sales Managers role if they demonstrate leadership.

Apply if you know this is for you!

Send a brief CV to jobs@airnet.co.nz  and we’ll be in touch to discuss.

During his talk, Rob weighed into the amalgamation debate, and talked about the value of us locally marketing ourselves and acting as a single region.   I pondered on this for a few days, and decided to send a note through to Rob.  What I asked of him was to have Air NZ demonstrate their support for the Hawkes Bay brand. 

On the Air NZ website you could only choose to fly to or from Napier/Hastings.  I asked Rob if he would support an additional destination option on the website to include Hawkes Bay.  Rob wrote back personally (yay!) and said he thought this would be a logical step for Hawkes Bay so that people searching under Napier, Hastings or Hawkes Bay can find the destination and schedule they are seeking. 

 It took a couple of months, but I am stoked to announce that you can now to choose to fly to or from Napier/Hastings or Hawkes Bay. 

 I have to say I was fully impressed with both the responsiveness and follow through that Rob and his team at Air NZ demonstrated here.   Rob doesn’t know me at all, and my experience in dealing with him on this aligns entirely with the essence of who Air NZ as a company is.

 Check it out for yourself - http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/

It's taken way longer than expected, but is well worth the read.  The exec summary is below, with a link to the full report at the foot of the page.

To answer the obvious 'so what?' question on what happens to all these combined suggestions & priorities for our region's future, the report will be forwarded to all participants, who included:

• The Chamber of Commerce & newly formed Business Hawke's Bay Group
• Hawke's Bay's MP's
• Many active Fruitbowlers
• Key influencers in many HB businesses

The Hawke''s Bay HRINZ committee would like to publicly thank our Vice President, Sue Whiteley, for putting in the hours to compile such a diverse group of people's thoughts into one cohesive document, Unison Fibre for their sponsorship of the event & the Opera House for hosting us.

Executive Summary of Findings
In the full document, the method and detailed findings of the workshop are laid out, but by way of executive summary the key findings are as follows.

Human Capital
•    The further development of Literacy and Numeracy (including Computer Literacy) for school aged children must be a focus for all – not just for our educators
•    Local tertiary providers must align with Universities to provide specific degree programmes which genuinely support the needs of the local current and emerging industries/sectors
•    Continued development of  Centre’s of Educational Excellence should be aligned to these key industries and sectors
•    Industries must create developmental opportunities and career paths to retain talent in region
•    An understanding of the infrastructure requirements required to attract and retain young people in the region should be developed
•    The development of leadership and management capability is key to enhancing the productivity and engagement of the human resource
•    Policies and infrastructure to support and enable the aging population to continue their contribution to the region’s economy must be developed
•    Strategies should be developed to ensure that young people see the Bay as a vibrant, dynamic and attractive place to settle
•    Regional pay rates need to attract talent from out of region and retain talent within region – relying on a “lifestyle” and “cheapest is best” approach will stifle regional and organisational development

Regional Competitiveness
•    Greater and more visible integration and collaboration between the councils is required to enhance and develop the region as a whole
•    Regional strategies are required for business development, tourism and other economic development activities
•    Communities must work together for the good of the region.  Fragmented approaches waste energy – we must have a focused and visible approach to addressing issues which prevents such fragmentation – people should know how to and be encouraged to get involved
•    Organisations should seek opportunities to work together for mutual benefit
•    Out of region is not best - buy local.  To facilitate this local providers must ensure they are expert and competitive
•    Leverage what we do well – identify the top ten current and emerging industries in the region and focus development activity in these areas
•    Attract related industries to the region – provide incentives where possible
•    Conduct research into the perception of the region with businesses – why do businesses locate here and why do they choose elsewhere
•    Maximise the tourist spend
•    Ensure our events schedule is attractive to the younger generations not just Baby Boomers

Infrastructure
•    Seek ways to improve access to the region
•    Ensure the port is supported
•    Technology infrastructure is key
•    Improved space based planning is required to improve the ease of access to and aesthetic of our outdoor and shared purpose spaces
•    Cut the red tape required to do business

Social
•    Improve the support migrants to the region obtain
•    Improve the tolerance, acceptance and local perception of migrants
•    Promote success stories in Hawke’s Bay particularly in relation to success in business – tell the world what we do well
•    Seek to reduce the gap between the “have’s” and “have not’s” in the region
•    Improve consultation with and participation from lower socio economic groups in economic development activities
•    Execute with excellence – address the culture of mediocrity of service delivery and the “cheapest is best” mentality – replace it with the understanding that “Do it once, do it right…gives value for money”

Cultural Diversity
•    Continually work to celebrate our cultural diversity
•    Encourage pride in our cultural heritage

Environment
•    Protect our clean green image now
•    Eco Tourism should be encouraged
•    Ensure our water is used productively and is fairly available

See the full report here & click on the pdf for the August event

At the same time this news was being heralded, Hawke's Bay Regional Council this week started a six month trial for a bus service of their own (along with GoBay Busses) from the CBD to Ahuriri using a regular bus. I can start to see where the arguments for amalgamation can seem quite attractive here...

There is no doubt that some form of transport link between Ahuriri and Napier has been long overdue in recent years, especially with the boost in population Ahuriri as seen with all its little apartments. There had previously been tram (a long, LONG time ago i.e. pre-1931 earthquake) and bus services between the two areas that died off due to lack of patronage. But I think spending $1.5 million on two busses (presumably, this is just the cost of the vehicles themselves, never mind the running costs - we haven't been told that as yet) is a little excessive, when a regular bus service will do and, you would hope, cost ratepayers a lot less.

Personally, I'm a big walker. I walk into town from Marewa at least once a week and to Ahuriri from Marewa almost as often. Every once and a while I'll even walk from town to Ahuriri and vice versa. But with older residents and tourists carrying bags and other travel-based flotsam and jetsam the walk from town to Ahuriri (where a number of hotels and motels are now based) is a bit too far to stagger, especially in the midst of a Hawke's Bay summer. But does it matter HOW they get there?

When I go to Wellington I love to commute on the trains and busses. When I go to Melbourne, the trams are an excellent and regular form of transport. Do I care if they are specially designed or look unique? No. So what's the big deal with these busses being "Art Deco" busses? Other than the CDB, there really aren't many AD-style buildings on the vaguely-proposed route. Is this another attempt at "quirkiness" by local government, like the giant, grass rugby ball that was to adorn Marine Parade for the World Cup was supposed to be?

I talked with Airnet’s Ben Deller about this at a Tweetup (a gathering of local Twitter users, for the uninitiated - and well worth attending!) last Friday and he suggested I write something on the matter for Fruitbowl, so here it is!

So I'd like to hear the thoughts of fellow Fruitbowlers on the issue: How do you think the council(s) has handled this? Does it matter how you get to where you're going, so long as you get there? Was there a better alternative NCC could have looked at? Is $1.5 million excessive? Shouldn’t there have been more public consultation? What is the point of such a tourist-based service starting after the majority of Napier’s tourists have been and gone? Should they have used local HB industry rather than overseas companies? Is there more to Napier than just Art Deco and if so, how do we get the message out to the rest of the world?

Pure Black are New Zealand's first international UCI ProTour road cycling team.  Arriving last Saturday after coming 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th (hire the guy that got 5th boys) in the Taupo to Napier Race, they've been living out at Waimarama for the week and training around the Bay.

The Bay is a great place to train and they've enjoyed the relaxed environment and surf over the past week. We hope we'll see the Pure Black team around next year and wish them well for their upcoming international season.

I was stoked to see The Great TV Take Back inintiative from The Warehouse. 

The scheme aims to recycle 96% of the materials in the set, and is part of the Government's Love New Zealand recycling programme.  On launching the program, Environment Minister Nick Smith said "This is a genuine free recycling service with no requirement to buy a TV from The Warehouse or take back an old TV purchased from The Warehouse." 

"My message to New Zealanders is to grasp this opportunity and take that old TV that is clogging up space in the garage down to The Warehouse so it can be responsibly recycled for free." he says.

What is really great is the Hastings store is participating locally (albeit they are now closed while in transit to thir new store which opens this Thursday).  You have until Tuesday 4th October to take advantage of this great initiative.   

So dig out those  old CRT set tops and head down to the big red shed...nice one The Warehouse!

Smart, Savvy and Successful Hawkes Bay – We can create the future

The HUMAN RESOURCE INSTITUTE OF NEW ZEALAND
In conjunction with
UNISON & THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Invites you to be part of a World Café conversation
to address the economic prognosis for Hawke’s Bay and identify
strategies to create a more vibrant future.

This will be an interactive session where we will be listening for your answers to questions, exploring real strategies and identifying actions we can all contribute to. If you are interested in Hawke’s Bay’s future and contributing to a healthy social and economic community and environment, then your input will be valuable. While change requires government and corporate direction, it most importantly requires initiative, commitment and actions from the existing community, businesses and institutions.  Please join us in this lively, interactive and rewarding evening for all.

• When: Tuesday 30th August 2011
• Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm
• Where: Assemby Rooms, Opera House, Hastings
• Investment: $25 – non-members
• $15 - members
• $7 - students
• RSVP: Register at ww.hrinz.org.nz (click on Branches, Hawkes Bay)
• or call Gill Riley on 021 748955.
• – numbers are limited so get in quick!

For those of you who havent got an HRV yet the system provides Warm,Fresh, Filtered and Dry Air from your roof cavity to help you Ventilate and Heat your home through out the day. The Suns Free energy collected in your roof is the only free energy you can get.

Do you want  to harness it?

If you want to know more email: contact@b2bnz.co.nz or phone me on 9299940