PaihiaNZ.com

PRESS RELEASE - 29 MARCH 2011
The Focus Paihia Community Trust is excited to launch a community design campaign for Paihia.  They are inviting groups, individuals, organisations, etc to submit a visual design of what they think Paihia could look like in 15+ years time. 

“Focus Paihia are now at a stage that we can take the next step forward, which is to clearly define what Paihia might look like in the future and we need the community’s help to do this” said general manager Tania McInnes.

“This work follows on from nearly two years of development, including some excellent community input.  We have already collected some good base information and now want to really clarify what a ‘contemporary/maritime village’ might look like”. 

“It has been recognised for some time that Paihia needs some real attention to ensure that it has the look and feel of a place that knows who it is an where it is going – to be an exceptional place to live, work and visit,” Tania said. 

The campaign opens 1 April and closes 20 May 2011.  The Trust is looking for clear and simple designs that focus on central Paihia.  These don’t need to be professionally produced, rather a bit of a sketch or overview of how Paihia could look.

Designs will be put on display and the public will be surveyed to find out which parts of the designs they like and don’t like.  This information will then be reviewed, a thorough brief developed and then professional designers will be approached to develop a draft concept design.  The Paihia community will then be asked to comment on these. 

Once developed, this concept design will provide a foundation for future planning and development - privately, commercially and publicly.

Focus Paihia, a volunteer organisation, came about through the need to address the ‘potential’ of Paihia.  The aim was to define a path forward that would encourage a more cohesive community, both aesthetically – in look and emotionally – in feel. 

In July 2010 the Focus Paihia Community (Charitable) Trust was set up, with the current Trustees appointed in November 2010.  A strategic overview has been developed and an infrastructure working party also put in place.  This campaign meets with one of the strategic aims being: “to define and promote Paihia`s future ‘look and feel’ that aligns with community aspirations, while ensuring an exceptional visitor experience, specifically around designing a ‘contemporary - maritime’ theme and environment.”

It is clearly recognised that until a concept design is agreed upon by the community, it will be difficult to make other decisions on how best Paihia should move forward and develop.

“It has been a bit of a journey and the Trust is thrilled to be at this point of moving forward with the campaign.  We really want to encourage people to get involved and share their ideas with us”, said Tania.

Further information can be found on the website www.paihianz.co.nz from 1 April or email focuspaihia@xtra.co.nz.

For further details, please contact:

Tania McInnes
General Manager
Focus Paihia Community (Charitable) Trust
021 344 870 or 09 402 8181