Enterprise North Canterbury celebrates 20 years
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC) is celebrating 20 years of supporting local business.
Launched in 2002 by the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils, ENC was established to promote economic development in the region.
‘‘Right from the get-go, ENC has been all about supporting local,’’ says chief executive Heather Warwick, who has been with the agency since 2003.
‘‘We have stuck to this across the board over the past two decades, supporting new and existing local businesses with our economic development team.’’
ENC also supports tourism in the Waimakariri district through Visit Waimakariri and more recently created the Made North Canterbury brand to support local food and beverage producers.
Warwick said the earthquakes and Covid-19 had kept the agency busy.
The first of the quakes, in September 2010, had a significant impact on Kaiapoi with some redevelopment work going today.
‘‘The past 20 years have thrown a significant number of challenges our way,’’ she said.
‘‘So many of our local businesses needed support to rebuild and recover (from the 2010 quake), which was of course followed by aftershocks and more major earthquakes in 2011 and then again in 2016.’’
By partnering with the Ministry of Social Development, ENC was able to assist hundreds of businesses affected by the earthquakes with support, advice, information and funding.
Covid-19 presented a new set of challenges as the country went into lockdown, Warwick said.
The small ENC team supported more than 900 local businesses through the lockdown and in the aftermath.
ENC’s business development team received a commendation at the 2021 Economic Development New Zealand Awards for its efforts to support businesses during this period.
Aside from these challenges, ENC has supported and developed a number of projects and partnerships to support local businesses, Warwick said.
These included supporting the Hurunui Water Project to get off the ground in 2004, the North Canterbury Business Awards held every two years since 2008, establishing the ENC Business Centre in Kaiapoi and creating the Made North Canterbury brand.
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Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.2% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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