Prime retail space in the Cameron St Mall now sits empty, even as potential shoppers walk past, due to the closure of stores like Life Pharmacy Orrs and Jeanswest. Photo / Denise Piper
Prime retail space in the Cameron St Mall now sits empty, even as potential shoppers walk past, due to the closure of stores like Life Pharmacy Orrs and Jeanswest. Photo / Denise Piper
Ensuring Whangārei’s central business district is safe and welcoming is a key focus areas for a new Mayoral Inner City Taskforce.
About 30 people from key agencies, community partners and businesses took part in the first taskforce meeting in March, convened by Whangārei District Council.
Mayor Ken Couper said therewas good energy at the meeting and a desire to make a difference.
The taskforce was set up as more Whangārei CBD businesses close their doors, citing falling foot traffic and a preference for online services.
Recent closures include the Whangārei branch of women’s fashion store Merric, clothing and homeware store eKo and the Whangārei branch of The Co-operative Bank, which will shut on May 8.
Other CBD businesses that have closed and not been replaced include gift store Beautiful Things, clothing franchise Jeanswest, logistics company Pack & Send, Christian bookshop Manna and Vietnamese eatery Oh My Pho, all on Cameron St; Bank St hospitality businesses AstroBoy and Nectar Cafe; plus Trade Aid and Authentic Flavours in the Strand.
Couper said the decision to close a business did not happen overnight but came after many difficulties.
Whangārei's Cameron St was a hive of activity during 2023's International Rally of Whangārei. A taskforce has now been set up to ensure the CBD is thriving. Photo / NZME
Couper said while the council had a part to play with things like improving parking and public transport, everyone needed to make changes, including for customers to support shops.
He thought moves like the revitalisation of NorthTec and $34 million central government investment in a central Knowledge Education and Arts hub (KEA) would also help.
The taskforce set up six workstreams, each led by senior representatives with authority to drive change. They were:
Social support and community services, led by Rena Hona, Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner.
Health, mental health and addiction, led by Jensen Webber, Mahitahi Hauora chief executive.
Community safety, policing and regulatory, led by Northland police area commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom.
Infrastructure, lighting and urban environment, led by Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie.
Housing and inner-city living, led by Toa Faneva, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regional director.
The business and hospitality sector, led by Tim Robinson from North Chamber and Julia Morrison from Hospitality NZ, both local business owners.
The leaders would meet fortnightly and were tasked with consulting with the wider community, Couper said.
EB Games Whangārei closing down in January, as part of the closure of all EB Games stores in New Zealand, attracted queues of shoppers. Photo / Karina Cooper
At the first meeting, members agreed on these desired outcomes:
a safe, welcoming CBD
clear, simple pathways to support services
aligned policing, bylaws and regulatory responses
suitable and well-maintained infrastructure and public spaces, including lighting and connections such as John St
improved community safety response and pathways for escalation
a thriving hospitality and business sector
increased inner-city living and clear housing pathways
improved accessibility for everyone to enter and move around the city centre
parking that supports accessibility and economic activity
clear measurement and reporting so progress can be tracked and shared.
‘Customers now choose to bank digitally’
The Co-operative Bank’s Whangārei branch is closing because of changing customer preferences, with most people now banking digitally or by phone, spokeswoman Catherine Bateman said.
Affected customers would be supported, including help with digital banking, she said.
“Over the past year, fewer than 10% of Whangārei branch customers have interacted with the branch in person or by phone, as digital adoption continues to grow across all age groups.”
The Co-operative Bank will close its branch on the corner of Bank and Vine Sts. Photo / NZME
The closure of the Merric store in Whangārei on April 10 was because of tough times, said Mia Li, executive assistant to the director.
“Our Whangārei store is closing because the lease is due to expire and the prospects are not great.”
Merric Apparel had 20 other stores in New Zealand and a new store opening in Auckland’s Milford, but no other stores in Northland.
While most closed stores stay closed, one CBD business was bucking this trend by reopening.
Oasis Surf on Rathbone St was meant to close in February but reopened while its lease was being negotiated.
Owner Rachelle Vujcich said the store had Oasis stock at half price until it was cleared and stock from her Embellish stores in Paihia and Kerikeri.
The Embellish items included women’s clothing, jewellery, accessories, babywear and gifts. Embellish previously operated across the road.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
