The latest from your Southland Regional Development Agency
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The Great South Update
November 2022
I am nearly two months into my new role at Great South and have had the privilege of meeting many of our stakeholders. I truly appreciate the conversations and time given to me, and the genuine willingness to help me find my feet. I have learnt a lot about Great South and have gained a true appreciation for all the important and exciting work going on in our region.
We were last in touch before the local body elections and my team and I look forward to working with the three new mayors of our shareholder councils - Nobby Clark, Rob Scott and Ben Bell as well as their councils. We wish the outgoing mayors and exiting councillors all the very best. We truly appreciate the service and support provided, especially by our long serving outgoing mayors.
It was great to see such good turnouts as we presented the Beyond 2025 Southland long-term plan in Invercargill and Gore and we look forward to presenting in Te Anau tonight. We have some very important work coming up before the end of the year to feed into this long-term planning. Firstly, we are registering interest to participate in a survey about the future of tourism for the community and the region as a whole. There is more on that below. Coming up we will also be conducting an extremely important survey about housing. The aim is to get the views of as many people as possible so please take the opportunity to have your say and encourage friends and whānau to do the same.
As happens this time of year, things speed up until Christmas, so after what has continued to be a disruptive year, take the time if you can, to get out and enjoy our beautiful region.
Ngā mihi,
Chami Abeysinghe
Chief Executive
Latest News
Views on future of tourism being sought
Independent research company Angus & Associates is working with Great South to help plan for the future of tourism in Murihiku Southland. A regionwide survey is being undertaken to gather the views of as many people as possible, to ensure tourism development meets community needs.
Southland leading the way with decarbonisation
Great South has been working closely with Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and stakeholders on how as a region we can switch to cleaner fuels faster. Now 83 out of 186 fossil boilers in the region have converted to renewable energy. Read more in the southland Times article at the link below.
Fiordland role changes
There have been some role changes in our Te Anau office. The contract for the MBIE-funded Fiordland Resource Planner role, created to support Fiordland jobseekers in the wake of Covid, came to an end last month. Meanwhile the role of Fiordland Community Wellbeing Coordinator Anna Star, funded by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, has been extended until April 2024.
Beyond 2025: regional presentations
The Beyond 2025 Southland team of Bobbi Brown and Nic Wills have been touring the region sharing the approach to long-term planning for our region. Beyond 2025 Southland is the long-term planning workstream within Southland's Just Transition work plan, being facilitated by Great South. The plan will be delivered in June 2023.
Come and work with us!
If you or someone you know has a passion for tourism and marketing, we have the perfect role available, for a Tourism Marketing Advisor. It's quite the opportunity getting to promote some of Aotearoa New Zealand's foremost tourism icons. Be in quick! Applications close tomorrow. Details below.
Great South Chief Executive Chami Abeysinghe was delighted to be a part of Diwali Festival of Lights at ILT Stadium on Saturday. The event was organised by the Indian Community in Southland.
Business News and opportunities
If you could do with some help to attract your future workforce, this free workshop featuring insights from Lewis Liam-Farrell, of Trade Me, will help with tips and tricks on how to attract young talent. Designed for managers and HR professionals at small to large businesses. Please click on the link below for information and to RSVP.
How could tourism be developed to benefit your community?
If you live in or whakapapa to Murihiku Southland and are aged 15 or over, we want to know your thoughts on how you’d like to see tourism developed.
Remembering that tourism takes many forms - for example people visiting friends and whānau, business travellers, tour groups, people visiting for events, cruise passengers and holidaymakers to name a few.
Please register at the button below and the survey will be sent to you mid-November.
We’d love it if you could also encourage your friends and whānau to take part. You could win one of two $500 Prezzy cards!
Great South Events
Destination Strategy review - workshop 5
product development
Tuesday 15 November, Great South, 12pm - 2pm
The final workshop to inform the Southland Murihiku Destination Strategy (PDF) review will be held on Tuesday 15 November. It will look at making sure our destination stands out in a competitive marketplace by promoting our unique selling points to key target markets. Click on the button below for information and to RSVP.
Decarbonisation workshop series
16 & 30 November, 7 December, Great South, 9am - 1.30pm
Support for your business on its low emission journey. By attending the three workshops in this series, you'll come away with a customised emissions reduction plan with clear actions for your business.
WORKSHOP 1 - Awareness & Motivation, Wednesday 16 November
WORKSHOP 2 - Measuring Your Carbon Footprint, Wednesday 30 November
WORKSHOP 3 - Decarbonisation Strategy, Wednesday 7 December
For further information and for information on how to register please click on the link below.
Course cost $425. Click on the button below for more information and to register.
Training Opportunities
Interviewing Skills for hiring talent
7 November
Online
More information
Develop Cultural Competence in the Workplace
17 November
Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill
More information
Health & Safety Representative Training (stage 1)
15 November
Invercargill
More information
Building on Health & Safety Representative Training (stage 2)
28 November
Invercargill
More information
Upcoming Events
Ascot Park Christmas at the Races
10 December, Invercargill
Distinction Hotels Te Anau Invitational
28-29 December, Te Anau
