18 | “Our focus is on encouraging local business retention and growth and to facilitate and promote positive activities in the Tararua.” Tararua: Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Karen Phelps A real case of ‘locals helping locals’ Bryce Galloway: “We don’t know where things will go and if the strong economy here will taper off with inflation but it hasn’t yet.” NEED A NEW ROOF OR SPOUTING? stratco.co.nz CALL US FOR A FREE MEASURE & QUOTE Your local roofer covering the Hawkes Bay • Flashings • Fencing • Pergolas • Louvres • Long Run Roofs • Fascia • Spouting • Patios PROUDLY SUPPORTING MITRE 10 DANNEVIRKE 0800 843 615 | 06 843 6159 Dannevirke is going ahead and businesses are bouncing back strongly after the effects of Covid-19, says chairperson of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce Bryce Galloway. He says it’s been a real case of locals helping locals and the community has really supported its businesses. “Business has moved on well and we’ve had some stellar months here,” he says. He points to businesses such as Shires Fruit & Vege Market, which is this year celebrating its 100th anniversary. During Covid lockdowns it put together boxes of fruit and veges with the help of volunteers and delivered them for free to help locals keep going through the tough times. The locals have paid back in kind and the business is now busier than ever. With high inflation and the cost of fuel, this has made many people continue to stay local. Bryce, who is also manager of the local Mitre10 has noticed a sharp increase in people renovating their homes. “We don’t know where things will go and if the strong economy here will taper off with inflation but it hasn’t yet.” Dannevirke town is home to around 6000 people and 20,000 people live in the Tararua region. The Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce has approximately 120 members from a wide range of businesses. It is dedicated to promoting business development for members and improving the prosperity of the district Bryce says that Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce enables businesses to collectively have a strong voice in the wider community. “Our focus is on encouraging local business retention and growth and to facilitate and promote positive activities in the Tararua.” One of the goals is to unite members and the Chamber of Commerce holds regular after five meetups to connect local businesses. It also encourages interaction with the community through activities such as the local Christmas Parade, sponsored this year by Shires Fruit & Vege Market. Bryce says there are many extremely successful businesses operating in the region including Metalform, which helps customers to creating new product ideas and take them to the world. Manufacturing and assembly requires a large footprint and it is much cheaper in the regions. It employs well over 100 staff making it a significant local employer. Ruahine Property Works is another success story in recent years and has grown from small beginnings to be another significant employer in the region. Bryce says affordable homes, lower cost of living and an easier lifestyle are drawing people to move to Dannevirke from all over the country. Infill housing is going in but no subdivisions as of yet – although Bryce thinks there is a real need for one. “Housing is in demand. People retire here from all over the country. It’s been really good for our community and town and has given more of a lift and buzz around the place. It’s neat to see different people moving here. They bring money and spend it as well.” With businesses setting up such as the very successful High Street Bistro – by Aucklanders who have relocated – people moving to Dannevirke can still enjoy big city comforts such as top-notch cuisine. Hunting, fishing, beaches close by and proximity to the wine-growing region of Hawkes Bay all add to the mix. The Regent theatre is one of the oldest art deco theatres in New Zealand and has just reopened after a fund raising campaign by locals. A new road going in over the Ruahine Range to Palmerston North, due to open in 2024, will reduce transit time to that city by 15 minutes making Palmerston North accessible in around half and hour by car so good possibilities exist down the line, says Bryce. “Palmerston North is a strategic freight location, with domestic and export goods moving from Auckland and the upper North Island, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Wellington. “KiwiRail is progressing plans for a hightech, intermodal freight hub, which will further boost the attractiveness of Dannevirke.”
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