Tararua District councillor Jim Crispin, left, and plumber Brian Beale at the long-term-planning workshop. Photo / Christine McKay
There has never been a more important time in our district's history, Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis told a stakeholders workshop for council's long-term plan.
"It's time to start talking about our future," she said.
"We're challenged by the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, the impact of the One Plan and the growing division in New Zealand between city and country."
"We will have wounds to heal and it will take time. But beginning this conversation on our future will mean we are open to change, to innovate, new ideas and to explore new opportunities.
"You have permission to dream for our tamariki and mokopuna."
At the two pre-consultation workshops, participants were asked to think long term and to dream.
"There is already a lot to love about Tararua and our number one advantage is we have communities who care.
"Now it's time to demand support from central government and time to head into uncharted waters for the future of a united Tararua," Mrs Collis said.
The 40 participants at last Thursday's workshop came up with ideas on what they loved about Tararua, how to deal with challenges ahead and the opportunities.
While partially focusing on the practical, there was also the chance to have big dreams, and put forward outrageous and wild solutions.
And with the impact of Horizons Regional Council's One Plan on Tararua's dairy farmers, alternative land-use ideas were to the fore.
"You could become the feijoa capital of the world," suggested facilitator Mark Raffills of Dry Crust Communications.
One group spokesman Allen Benbow said growing feijoas could offset some of the loss from lowering dairy production to meet the One Plan criteria.
"This could be an opportunity as a result of this crisis we are facing around the One Plan.
"Farmers may need to offset the retirement of 20 per cent of their land from dairying so we need to look at what we can grow instead. This would retain land value, while providing employment as we add value to a crop.
"We should form a new Fespri growers organisation marketing fruit, spread, juices and wine."
Simon Curran of MCI and Associates, speaking for another group at the workshop, said his group agreed the One Plan was a major challenge, with alternative land uses valuable for providing employment opportunities.
Create, build and expand was a popular theme, along with creating a Tararua centre of excellence, enhancing tourism opportunities through event-based and farming tourism, including reinstating the popular Akitio Challenge, a triathlon and duathlon.
Sport Manawatu's Sanjay Patel said his generation would flock to the district for adventure-based events.
Issues discussed also included connectivity, the Manawatu Gorge closure, employment opportunities, health care, access to services and the district's identity.
Jeanne O'Brien said her group was dreaming big, wanting educational excellence in the Tararua.
"We want our own doctors, lawyers and prime ministers.
"The retention of youth and engagement with employers is vital. We should be supporting locals and encouraging the younger generation. Think big."