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The Great South Update
February 2021
We’re well into 2021 and many things of importance to Southland seem to have happened already as Waitangi Day approaches. I’m personally looking forward to attending the commemorations at Te Rau Aroha Marae on Saturday.
Most notably in mid-January was the very welcome news that the Tiwai Point smelter will remain operating until December 2024. Great news for everyone in our community but with the caution of course that momentum on the development of new and expanded regional opportunities must be maintained.
In the meantime we also need to remind ourselves of the global context in which we are living. We remain very fortunate in much of the region that our day to day lives feel pretty normal but we all know that the global COVID-19 impacts remain very serious. The business and specific sector impacts are also still very uneven as we head towards the anniversary of the initial decision to close NZ’s borders to Chinese visitors. In particular Great South is working closely with the Te Anau/Fiordland region to support the community and the tourism and hospitality sector that remains severely impacted by the loss of international visitors.
There are many other things on the go for the Great South team and some of this is covered in the content below. We look forward to continuing our work and collaborations with all of our partners and stakeholders in the year ahead.
Nga mihi,
Graham Budd
Chief Executive
Latest News
New Regional Event Funding Available
New funding is available to help with events in Southland and Fiordland that encourage overnight visitation to the region. With international borders closed, Great South is focusing on events to drive domestic tourism.
Oat Milk Joins Dairy as Key Industry for Southland
What has fondly been known as 'the oats project' at Great South is now set to be a whole new industry for Southland and New Zealand. Great South’s work over the past 10 years has led to the development of what will be New Zealand’s first carbon neutral plant-based beverage factory at Makarewa, with oat milk first off the production line. New company New Zealand Functional Foods has been established to carry the project forward.
Commitment to Te Ara Toitu
An e-vehicle and a bicycle are the latest additions to Great South's fleet. Great South is on a pathway to sustainability and carbon neutral commitment (Te Ara Toitu), which is in line with the Climate Change Commission's report released this week. New e-charging stations along the southern scenic route will help make travelling with an e-vehicle in Southland a more viable option.
Take Part in new 'Savour the South' Event
Registrations are now being taken from accommodation and food businesses that would like to be a part of a new 'Savour the South' event happening from 1 April to 5 May this year. Great South and Hospitality NZ are working together on this event.
Primary Sector support
Introducing Great South's Primary Sector Workforce Placement Coordinator Karen Duthie. Karen's role is connecting jobseekers with employers in all areas of the Southland primary sector. Coming up soon will be two workshops with HR specialists on successful recruitment and support for new employees.
Tech Week - Event Ideas Welcome
If you have a great idea for an event that fosters or promotes innovation in Southland, get in touch! Great South is coordinating events for Techweek NZ (24 to 30 May). Event submissions are now open!
Skills Placement Programme
If you are new to Southland and looking for work or are an employer seeking new talent, Great South's Skills Placement coordinator can help. The free service helps skilled migrants better understand the Southland workplace and recruiting processes, while also supporting Southland businesses in their recruitment of skilled migrants.
Business Funding
Digital Lean Programme
As the Regional Business Partner for Callaghan Innovation, Great South's business team can connect you to all of their services, including the newly launched Digital Lean Programme. It offers businesses the opportunity to explore new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, alongside the discipline of the Lean methodology.
Southland Promotion
Great South has been working with photographer Chris McLennan to refresh our image library - the latest shoot being in the Catlins. The stunning results will be popping up in our future promotional campaigns to attract visitors to the region. Our visual library is available to anyone to download images for promotional purposes.
Revitalising the Southern Scenic Route
The Great South team is collaborating with four other regional tourism organisations on positioning the Southern Scenic Route as New Zealand’s greatest touring route. Summed up as a ‘road to rule them all’ by Brook Sabin in the Sunday Star Times and on Stuff. A targeted digital marketing campaign also kicks off this week.
A Warm Welcome to Southland
The Great South team made sure this eye-catching artwork was up at Invercargill Airport in time for an influx of visitors over the Summer months. It features Invercargill as the gateway to Southland.
Upcoming Business Events
Digital Marketing Workshops
16 & 17 February
Balclutha, Gore (Invercargill course now full)
Business Continuity Workshop
17 February
Invercargill
A free interactive workshop for creating a Business Continuity Plan, organised by Emergency Management Southland.
Business Process Improvement Course
10 & 11 March
Great South, Invercargill
The Government has announced that around 25,000 employers will be affected by work visa changes taking effect in 2020 and 2021. To help prepare your business, Great South is partnering with Malcolm Pacific Immigration to host a lunchtime seminar on the upcoming work visa requirement changes.
Digital Boost for Small Business
Self directed learning
Free, self-paced learning, to launch your business into the digital world. The MBIE courses include Digital Tools, Websites, Digital Marketing, Small Business Accounting, Customer Insights and Business Growth and Future Technologies. Find out more and sign up for free below.
Training Opportunities
Leadership Academy - Te Anau
12 February - 26 February 2021
Southland Chamber of Commerce
More information
Legacy Leadership
16 February
Southland Chamber of Commerce
More information
Climate Change Commission Consultation Events
15 February
Otago Southland Employers Association
More information
Business Communications Skills
05 March
Otago Southland Employers Association
More information
Upcoming Events
