Paihia master plan initiated

A not-for-profit collective of citizens will produce an even more vibrant land and foreshore environment to enhance the existing beauty of the Paihia waterfront.

While Paihia has always been, and remains, one of the most significant tourist destinations of the Far North, there are plans to improve both the surroundings and the town's potential and a master plan has been initiated to kick-start the vision.

The plan has been pioneered by the Focus Paihia Community Trust (FPCT) a not-for-profit collective of citizens who formed the trust in 2010 in the belief that Paihia can improve towards the exceptional. The trust includes Business Paihia, local Iwi, residents and ratepayers, a school Board of Trustees and the Paihia Haven of History.

The Trust's current Chairman is Grant Harnish, who began operating Salt Air in Paihia 20 years ago with the famous 'Widgeon' seaplane and has built up a thriving tourism and local aviation business that now includes two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters.

A visual concept of the master plan has been drawn up to show what Paihia could look like in fifteen or more years. It was designed by architects and engineers, Stephenson and Turner, whose brief was to develop a contemporary maritime look for Paihia while at the same time retaining the familiar village aesthetic of the seaside town. A working party of Trust members has been formed to lay the groundwork to put the plan into place.

Focus Paihia is also involved with maintaining the beaches. They purchased a $200,000 cleaner and obtained resource consent to use it on three of the area's beaches. A last-minute objection to that consent could have restricted its use but in recent days the parties have come to a verbal mutual agreement (still to be signed) on how best to keep Paihia's beaches in top condition.

There are other activities in the district. Paihia Phantom Placemaker Projects are community endeavours that will make spasmodic and periodic appearances over June, July and August. They are mini showpieces produced mostly by volunteers. An example was the funky seating outside the Paihia I-Site which was created over one weekend by over one hundred volunteers and proves that community enterprise need not be all boring work and no fun play.

And at least the master plan has moved forward. The Trust has made two submissions to the Far North District Council which may, given time, produce an even more vibrant land and foreshore environment to enhance the existing beauty of the Paihia waterfront.