Public to pitch ideas for future of Paihia

A revamp of Northland's top tourist town is starting with a public design competition.
The group Focus on Paihia was founded last year by "a small group of like-minded individuals" who aimed to make the town a better place in which to live, work and do business.
The group's first step was a six-month consultation exercise to find out what residents and businesses wanted from their town.
It is now being set up formally as a community trust, which a Kerikeri law firm has offered to do without charge.
Spokeswoman Tania McInnes said Focus on Paihia would have representatives from Business Paihia, the ratepayers' association, commercial interests and the community.
One of its first activities would be a design competition, open to the public as well as professionals, to come up with a plan for an improved CBD.
The winner would be chosen by community vote, with the winning design forming the basis for Paihia's future development.
Ms McInnes told a Far North District Council meeting on Thursday  one of the things missing in Paihia was an entrance. The first most visitors see of the town are Te Haumi flats, which are little more than a gravel parking area.
Bay of Islands Rotary planned to mark its 50th anniversary in 2013 by beautifying Te Haumi, she said.
Ms McInnes said central Paihia also lacked anything to tell visitors about the area's strong Maori history.
The group wanted the town's sea vistas opened up and improved access by road and sea.
Building heights could be limited to the current three storeys on the waterfront, rising to six or eight storeys to follow the hill rising behind the town.
Ms McInnes said the group was keen to take over some council contracts in Paihia.
"A few things that happen in Paihia could be a little better, like maintenance over summer. If it's us doing it we'll have to listen to each other complaining if it doesn't happen."
The group also wanted targeted rates brought in, with the money collected spent on improving the town, but the community needed to see the results to be convinced.
A targeted rate for Paihia is suggested in the council's 2010/11 annual plan, which is now open for submissions.
Ms McInnes said the potential rewards of an improved Paihia were huge.
Direct spending by tourists in Northland amounted to $380 million a year, but only one in five international visitors travelled north of Auckland. Even a 10 per cent increase in visitors to the Bay of Islands would add another $6 million a year, with the benefits flowing on to the rest of the region.
Andrew Thomson, incoming chair of the Paihia Residents and Ratepayers Association says he wants to emphasise Paihia's history by, for example,
 emulating what Katikati in the Bay of Plenty had done by painting  murals.
Mayor Wayne Brown applauded the group's efforts and instructed council staff to be as supportive as possible.
Eastern Community Board chair Paul Gorringe  said it was good to see a new generation taking up the mantle.
 
 Focus on Paihia is planning a public meeting within the next two months to discuss its plans.