Have your say: Our advantages

Whangarei has a lot to offer people.

I suggest for consideration by Council and others a new by-line to the District's existing slogan "Love it here".

By adding "Winterless Whangarei welcomes retirees" as it encapsulates our competitive advantages some of which I list below:

1. Our mild weather and sub-tropical climate which can be compared to many other areas which do not enjoy our warmer winters.

2. Proximity to Auckland and Bay of Islands with excellent bus services - great now that Inter-City has competition from Mana Buses.

3. User friendly Council with free parking for the over seventies and free local buses for gold card holders.

What other New Zealand cities offer free parking for the elderly? Growers market and good supermarket shopping with plenty of adjacent parking.

4. Well organised and moderately priced sporting facilities and clubs - walking, gardening, bowls, golf, croquet, petanque, tennis etc

5. Many friendly social cubs eg U3A, 60's Up, Probus, RSA, Whangarei, Northland and Kamo Clubs, Film, Repertory, Music, Bridge etc.

The list goes on.

From an economic viewpoint, I contend retirement villages and homes create more jobs than motels and have a guaranteed occupancy for the full year rather than being peak period summer facilities with low winter occupancy.

I look forward to hearing other reader's comments.

Alan Martin
Whau Valley

What do you think? Comment below.