The latest from your Southland Regional Development Agency
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The Great South Update
October 2022
It's GREAT to be here!
My second week in and I've had the pleasure of getting to know the team here at Great South, I've met with some of our shareholders and am now working my way around the region meeting with organisations Great South has involvement with. There are many!
As we head into local body elections this weekend, we wish all candidates the very best of luck! It will be fascinating to see who our various council and licensing trust representatives are. No matter the outcome, we are sure to have a very talented and committed pool of members that will see us through our future work projects. We will continue working closely together and progress the programmes we deliver on behalf of our Councils and the region as a whole.
I feel honoured to be working for this fantastic region and ensuring that Great South and the work it does is well-known.
Ngā mihi,
Chami Abeysinghe
Chief Executive
Latest News
Space Ops NZ win
Space Ops NZ, 100% owned by Great South, won the NZAS Innovation in Export award at the DHL Export Southland 2022 Recognition Awards. Space Ops NZ delivers satellite antenna hosting and launch support services for the international ‘new space’ industry, with its main antenna hosting site at Awarua.
Fiordland: Event funding recipients
Five more events have benefited from the Fiordland Regional Event Fund with a total of $41,000 distributed in the latest round. The fund, established by the government as part of its post COVID-19 Tourism Recovery package, is to stimulate domestic tourism by supporting existing events or helping new events, and is administered by Great South. A Southland Regional Event Fund that had $180,000 for Southland events was exhausted in October 2021.
First 'Make It' food business course complete
The first eight-week Make It course, where participants learnt the steps to create a food-based business finished with product pitches this week. A collaboration between Great South, Southern Institute of Technology, Coin South and Southern Pioneer Food Hub, the course included opportunity to work in a commercial kitchen and to learn the legal requirements and steps to get a product ready for market. To express interest in future Make It courses email Coin South at the button below.
Burt Munro Challenge returns!
After a year's break due to Covid, the Burt Munro Challenge returns 8-12 February 2023! Great South provides delivery support to this iconic Southland event and is looking forward to showcasing the region and its latest attractions to new and repeat visitors. Tickets for the event are now on sale.
We are very proud of our team member Andrea de Vries (front centre) who organised a Shootathon to raise funds for the Southland Charity Hospital. Not only did they smash the world record (yet to be officially verified), they raised $60,000 for the cause.
Business News and opportunities
Survey closing soon!
Whether you employ 5 or 50 people, sell coffee or cars, we want to hear from you!
Southland Business Chamber, Great South, Regional Skills Leadership Group and Beyond 2025 Southland want to know about the opportunities and challenges Murihiku Southland employers are facing in attracting and retaining employees.
The information we receive will help make sure we develop and advocate for the most appropriate support for our businesses.
Be in quick to fill the survey below and you could win a morning tea shout for your team!
Come along and listen to Beyond 2025 Southland Project Lead Bobbi Brown discuss the process underway to develop the regional long term plan.
Beyond 2025 Southland is the long-term planning workstream within Southland’s just transition work plan and is the updated Regional Development Strategy (SoRDS).
Developed with our people for our people the plan will be informed by 16 workstreams within five areas of focus and will be finalised in June 2023.
RSVP by clicking on the link for your location below:
Great South Events
Destination Strategy review - workshop 4
product development
Tuesday 18 October, Great South, 12pm - 2pm
Workshops are being held over the next few months to review the Southland Murihiku Destination Strateg (PDF) This workshop will look at ensuring our visitor products and experiences represent who we want to be as a destination and consider the relationship between infrastructure and new products. To find out about the remaining workshop and how to take part, click on the button below.
Decarbonisation workshop series
16 & 30 November, 7 December, Great South, 9am - 1.30pm
Support for your business on its low emission journey. Attend all three workshops in the series and come away with a customised reduction plan and clear actions for your business. Course cost $425.
Training Opportunities
Live Virtual Global Event - Liz Wiseman
18 October
Online
More information
St John Mental Health First Aid Course
19 October
St John Rooms, 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
Hokonui Culture Feast
6 October, Gore
Schick 3x3 Cup
12 - 15 October, Invercargill
Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic
22 - 23 October, Te Anau
