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A New Year, New Opportunities

As we step into 2025, there’s a lot to be excited about. This year presents new opportunities for us as a town to plan, innovate, and promote Warkworth as a destination where visitors as well as locals want to spend time—and money.

The summer break saw Warkworth lively with activity. Despite the windy weather, the sunshine brought locals and visitors out in force. On my visits into town, I was struck by how busy it was and heard from retailers and cafés about the strong trade over the holiday season.

However, one challenge stood out—ensuring more businesses remain open on public holidays. While I understand how difficult this can be, especially for those managing small teams or operating alone, it’s also clear these are some of the busiest and most profitable trading days. Finding ways to collaborate better on this is something we can explore together.

A key goal for this year is positioning Warkworth as a must-visit destination. To achieve this, we’re forming a planning group of tourism, hospitality, and retail representatives to develop a promotional and advertising strategy. Drawing inspiration from successful revitalisation projects elsewhere, such as Queen Street's transformation efforts highlighted in this RNZ article, we can explore new ways to breathe life into our town and attract more visitors.

You may have noticed the hanging flower pots outside a few businesses we are trailing around town, such as outside the Information Centre, Warkworth Butchery, and Watson’s Shoe Repair. While they’re not real plants, they’re a low-maintenance way to add vibrancy to the streetscape. If the trial goes well, we hope to extend this to all interested businesses with minimal one-off costs.

On another front, our engagement with Watercare continues positively. As their planning progresses, I’ll organise a meeting early in the year for Elizabeth Street businesses to address concerns directly with the project team. Watercare’s willingness to engage with our community has been exceptional, and the changes we’ve helped drive are a testament to what we can achieve as a small but determined community.

Here is what Dave Chambers, Watercare CEO wrote to me in an email:

Our intent is to work well with communities and mostly that occurs but not always. In this case, it very clearly didn’t but the work we’ve been able to do together since July is excellent and you could also feel proud that you’ve changed our organisation as the goodwill and expertise you came to the table with has changed how we approach more challenging development situations. It has already brought a changed approach from us for a southern Auckland community that would not have been the case had we not worked together on the Warkworth situation." - Dave Chambers, Watercare CEO

Let’s make 2025 a year of progress, collaboration, and growth for Warkworth. Together, we can ensure our town continues to thrive.

Murray Chapman

Manager, One Mahurangi, Warkworth

[email protected]

Business Improvement District (BID) Policy Refresh

Have your say about the refreshed policy

Updates to the BID Policy and supporting documents are now open for feedback until 28 February 2025. Read MORE HERE>

Purpose of the BID policy

The BID policy outlines how Auckland Council works with BID-operating business associations in Auckland. (Including One Mahurangi Business Association)

The policy:

• provides a framework for the governance, accountability and management of BID programmes
• aims to sustain public trust and confidence in the BID programme
• balances Auckland Council’s role in the programme with the independence of BID-operating business associations.

Business Health Check Survey

Thank you to the fifty+ respondents of the survey! The survey is due to close on Feb 5th 2025 so get in quick if you haven't already. It takes just 2 minutes of your time to complete our Business Health Check. Your feedback helps us understand your needs better and shape our initiatives to benefit the local business community.

To take the survey now CLICK HERE>

Marketview Monthly Summary for December 2024

In December 2024, the One Mahurangi, Warkworth precinct saw consumer spending reach $33.8 million, a 4.3% increase from the same time last year, with 487,000 transactions, up 3.7%. Notably, spending in accommodation grew by 50.4%, while international customer spending surged by 44.1%, highlighting strong local and international engagement during the festive season. The One Mahurangi BID area is ranked 14th of 56 listed Auckland BID areas. Read the Dec 2024 summary report HERE>

Visit our Consumer Spending page on our website for monthly reports > onemahurangi.co.nz/marketview-reports

Business.govt.nz YouTube Shorts for Tradies

Upskill with digital tools for the construction industry.

Learn about enhancing productivity through Industry 4.0, optimising 3D printing, AI in the construction sector and more HERE>

Follow the Warkworth Information Centre on Instagram! 

Follow @visitwarkworth on Instagram for stunning photos, updates on local events and attractions, and insider tips on the best places to shop and dine out in Warkworth and beyond.

Extended summer opening hours on Saturdays 10am - 1pm 

A noticeboard outside the WW Info Centre has the latest updates on the Watercare Pipeline Project.

Visit onemahurangi.co.nz for the latest updates

// Community Noticeboard //

** OPENING NIGHT THURS 30th JAN 2025 > Click here **

Summer Shuttle Service around Mahurangi with Mai Ride

With 12+ stops connecting Omaha, Matakana, Snells Beach, Warkworth, and Algies Bay you can move effortlessly between local events, sunny outdoor spots, and great venues for just $20pp a day.

Visit www.mairide.net for more details