Northland news in brief: Tim Robinson elected new chair of NorthChamber
Northland on the board
Monopoly Northland the board game is one step closer to being made by Monopoly licensee Winning Moves. The uniquely Northland tokens will include a kūmara, a surfer, a pair of jandals and a road cone. Games are expected to be ready in early November, in time for Christmas sales.
Health staff backpay
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora has paid $31.1 million in Holidays Act backpay to current Te Tai Tokerau staff. The remediation payment was needed because staff were not paid correctly for their holidays since 2010. A total of 3776 Northland nurses, doctors, allied health staff, healthcare assistants, cleaners and administrators were paid the remediation last week. Former workers are expected to be paid by the end of the year.
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Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Co-working space to combat loneliness
Wānaka has become a hot spot for remote workers looking to self-start their future success — but the freedom-driven lifestyle comes with a price tag. The Covid pandemic was a catalyst in enabling hybrid and remote work, which meant some people had the option of travelling and exploring as they worked. The Cell co-working space co-owner Arna Craig, experienced the increase of people choosing to live in Wānaka as they worked for companies throughout New Zealand. "I think it's no secret that Covid taught us all that lifestyle is really important," she said. "And I think Wānaka offers that opportunity to so many people because it's just, it's a lifestyle destination." Luke Robinson and Natalie Drayton are two visionaries who saw the opportunity to expand the region's remote working scene by starting Netwerk, their own co-working and networking space which partnered with NRG gym. Ms Drayton began as a paramedic in Nelson before starting a Pilates reform business and eventually deciding to travel with her partner while doing remote book-keeping work. At the time, Mr Robinson was a primary teacher and moved to online tutoring while the couple embarked on travels across the country. "We wanted flexibility," Ms Drayton said. "And because I had a service-facing business, it meant we had to be there, and we really wanted to do some more travel." They moved all around the country and have since found themselves in Wānaka twice and this time they intend to stay for the long haul. Their plan was to continue doing some contract work as they explored all the region had to offer, but constant remote working proved to be more difficult than expected. "It is amazing, but it definitely comes with its side effects," Ms Drayton said. "I get a lot of my energy from external sources ... I just need to be around people and see people, even if I don't even know them." Loneliness was one of the hardest prices to pay for choosing a lifestyle that had more freedom. Mr Robinson opted to take on a new and different challenge while in Wānaka by doing some glazing work. This made him realise that despite the freedom that came with remote work, it did not compare to being part of a team. "With all this flexibility, I can go for a walk during lunchtime and all these amazing things," he said. "But there's a certain feeling when you're with a crew of people that you really miss out on." Having met several others in town also facing the same challenges as they work remotely, they decided to set up their own co-working space which went a step further by hosting networking events and partnering with a gym. The space is one of the few other businesses within the NRG gym on Plantation Rd, and members who use the co-working space are entitled to a lower rate at the gym. The idea was not only to promote connectivity but provide people with movement and energy in a work lifestyle that could get isolating. "I mean for us, an ideal morning would be, getting up, going to the gym ... Going up while you're stimulated, do a few hours work," Ms Drayton said. Netwerk's opening week is set to start on August 18, with networking events running for most of the week, helping to connect local remote workers with each other.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Rebuild steering group put together
Debris of the old Roxburgh Entertainment Centre. PHOTO: ODT FILES Four community members will join a councillor and a community board member on the steering committee to rebuild the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre, which was destroyed in a spectacular blaze on Waitangi Day. At Thursday's Teviot Valley Community Board meeting in Roxburgh, chairman Norman Dalley said 11 people had put themselves forward for four external stakeholder places on the steering group. The board had discussed the options before the meeting and were happy with the four selected. "We believe they have the skill set that will benefit the community," Mr Dalley said. The four were businesswoman Sally Smith, teacher Sarah More, musician Alistair Monteath, and businessman and volunteer firefighter David Weatherall. The Central Otago District Council has nominated councillor Martin McPherson as the council representative on the steering group, and Teviot Valley board member Curtis Pannett would represent the board. Council property officer Tara Bates presented a report to the meeting on the rebuild. While there was no budget for the rebuild, the insurance payout was expected to fund the construction of a new entertainment centre, the report said. Any additional budget would require council approval, Ms Bates said. Council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said the steering group would be the conduit of information to the community. The biggest stakeholders in the entertainment centre would be engaged in the design process, Mr Robinson said. Council community experience manager David Scoones said, for example, the Roxburgh entertainment centre improvement and promotions group, which operated the cinema in the building, would be directly involved with the steering group and design team to put across everything they would want in the new building. Other groups would have focused workshops and sessions, with all information going to the steering group to understand how it would all work together. Mr Robinson said he recommended community drop-in sessions once concept designs were available. That had worked well in Cromwell, with the designer of its new hall using virtual reality to allow people to "walk through" the planned spaces. Mr Dalley said it was important the steering group was able to make decisions on behalf of the community using the feedback they received.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Nelson Tasman Monopoly Sales To Support Flood-Hit Small Businesses
Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce commits profits from regional board game to Mayoral Fund for small business recovery The Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce will donate profits from Nelson Tasman Monopoly game sales to the Tasman Mayoral Fund to support small businesses affected by recent flooding. The month-long fundraising campaign launches on 25th July and aims to raise money to assist the recovery efforts. "As a not-for-profit organisation, our ability to raise funds is limited, but the Nelson Tasman Monopoly game gives us a unique opportunity to turn our most accessible product into meaningful community support," said Ali Boswijk, CEO of Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce. "This regional Monopoly game has wide public appeal and represents our local community perfectly – making it an ideal vehicle to help our fellow businesses get back on their feet after the floods." The Nelson Tasman Monopoly game features local landmark and businesses making it both a popular gift and a celebration of the region. Profits from games sold through the Chamber website during the campaign period will go directly to the Mayoral Fund's small business recovery initiatives. The Chamber chose to focus specifically on small business support as these enterprises often face the greatest challenges in recovering from natural disasters, yet form the backbone of the local economy. "Small businesses are the heart of our community' Boswijk added. "We're calling on our community to support this campaign – every game purchased is a direct investment in our region's economic recovery." The Nelson Tasman Monopoly game can be purchased online at throughout the campaign period, which runs until 24 August 2025.
