The latest from your Southland Regional Development Agency
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The Great South Update
September 2021
Welcome to the first ‘official’ day of spring and as I write the weather is certainly playing its part with warmer sunny days helping us cope a little better with the Covid lockdown we are currently experiencing.
Today we change down from alert level 4 to level 3 in most of New Zealand, apart from Auckland, and this will be welcome for the additional businesses that can start operating again. While we all hope to drop down to level 2 as quickly as possible it’s clear that many of our Southland businesses and economy will only start functioning fully again when Auckland is also able to participate by getting back down to level 2.
Regrettably that still seems some way off but I’m reminded of our campaign from April 2020, ‘Together Southland’. The spirit of togetherness we have in our region and support for each other and our businesses will see us through again I’m sure.
In the meantime, the evidence is clear that our best defence for avoiding the devastating health and economic effects of COVID in future will be achieved by a significant proportion of our population being vaccinated. I encourage everyone to make a booking and get it done!
Take care everyone.
Nga mihi,
Graham Budd
Chief Executive
Latest News
Covid support for businesses
Help is available for businesses forced to close due to the Covid lockdown, including the government's employee wage subsidy scheme. For more information about eligibility and other Covid support for businesses, click on the button below.
Funding now available for Southland District (Fiordland) tourism businesses
Applications are now open for the government's Business Advisory Support and Advice Implementation Grant. Great South is administering these initiatives, which are part of the government's Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan. Check out eligibility and apply below.
$1.7 million to be spent on Southland-wide tourism in next 12 months
You may have heard that both the Southland and Fiordland Regional Tourism Organisations received funding as part of the government’s Tourism Support, Recovery and Re-Set Plan. You can read more below about where the money will be spent.
Improved international marketing of Southland region with new alliance
A new International Marketing Alliance (IMA) including only the Fiordland and Southland Regional Tourism Organisations will mean greater international visibility for the region. IMAs are how Tourism NZ promotes the country at international tradeshows. Read more below.
New Visit Fiordland manager
Great South welcomes Visit Fiordland Manager Stu Cordelle to the team. Stu is excited to be returning to work in the region, having previously worked for Fiordland-based businesses. With 30 years working in the tourism industry, he brings significant experience and will be managing international travel trade for both Southland and Fiordland RTOs.
Event funding reminder
A reminder, applications for round two of the Southland and Fiordland Regional Event Funds are now open. A total of $472.500 remains available across the two pools. The funding, administered by Great South, is part of the Government’s post COVID-19 Tourism Recovery package and is targeted at events that attract overnight visitation to the region.
Business News and opportunities
Need summer jobs filled?
The Summer of Work job fair is going ahead but will now be held online, between 27 September and 1 October. If you are an employer looking for summer staff, this event will help you reach local secondary and tertiary students that can fill vacancies during your busy summer period. Find out more by emailing Great South's Southland Youth Futures team below.
Callaghan R&D Experience Grants - applications open
Employ a tertiary student to undertake R&D fulltime this Summer and you could have it fully funded by Callaghan Innovation, via its R&D Experience Grants. Applications close 30 September.
Southland Promotion
Image library: Take a virtual trip around Southland
While we're still encouraged to keep our travelling to a minimum, you could always take a virtual trip around Southland by checking out Great South's image library. It includes hundreds of beautiful images like this one looking along the south coast from Mores Scenic Reserve, Riverton. Anyone can use these images to promote the region. Check out more images at the link below.
Upcoming Great South Events
Please note the previously advertised events Exploring local communication challenges and Body language across cultures presented by Steph Holloway have been postponed. More details next newsletter.
Southland Summer of Work
27 September - 1 October
Summer of Work will connect employers with students looking for work this Summer. If you would like to know more email our Southland Youth Futures team below. Please note: this event will now take place online.
Go Global: Selling wholesale with Alibaba.com
27 September
Great South is hosting international giants Alibaba to share how it can support your business grow international B2B sales and the steps necessary to get the very best out of its platform.
Carbon in Business - introductory workshop
28 September
This free workshop will help you gain a better understanding of carbon - what it is, why reduce it, and where in your business it comes from. You'll also find out about resources available to help you on your carbon reduction journey.
Training Opportunities
Project Management Fundamentals
21-23 September
Otago Southland Employers Association
More information
Essentials of Leadership
23 September
Southland Business Chamber
More information
Contractor Safety Management
27 September
Otago Southland Employers Association
More information
Employment Law 101
30 September
Otago Southland Employers Association
More information
Upcoming Events
Civic Theatre, Invercargill
It's a difficult time for event organisers navigating the changing lockdown levels. To keep up with what events are going ahead and when visit southlandnz.com.
