Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 5, 10am – 2pm, Papakura Town Centre, Great South Road, Papakura.
“Come and join us for this FREE fun family day celebrating what Papakura is all about,” says Papakura Town Centre manager Tracy Shackleton. “It will be a fantastic community day celebrating Papakura, celebrating our community, celebrating our local talent.
“Our Papakura StreetFest has been specifically designed to create positive stories celebrating Papakura’s cultural diversity and our community.”
The festival is part of Proud Papakura Proud, a collaborative project focused on building a safe, healthy, culturally diverse community in Papakura where everyone trusts and supports one another.
Partnering with a number of community groups, Proud Papakura Proud was initiated by the Papakura Business Association (PBA) and the Papakura Local Board. Having the largest Maori community of any suburban centre in New Zealand, the project has an emphasis on this unique feature of Papakura.
Its three key objectives centre on cultural identity, employment and positive stories.
A series of Tikanga Talks initiated to strengthen cultural identity and understanding across Papakura’s diverse community is proving popular. An introductory event and hangi at the marae was followed up by a workshop on involving Tikanga principles in business.
Addressing issues of local youth employment, the PBA has been working with YouthFull, a unique learning and recruitment platform. Designed specifically to help young people with limited experience and qualifications, it provides direct access to employers and jobs.
Papakura Library and Auckland Council have also combined to promote employment and career information for young people. A well-attended evening at the Papakura Library showcased inspirational stories of local achievers to young people. The main speakers were Prestige, the manager of multi-platinum award winning artist Savage, and successful Papakura businessman Joseph Azouri.
Papakura has huge potential but it will take a combined effort to make that a reality, according to PBA chairman Neil O’Connor.
That’s why in early 2016 the Papakura Local Board established the Papakura Commercial Project Group, with its main objective to work towards realising the vision of the Auckland Plan for Papakura.
The group is led by an independent chair and made up of representatives from the local board, PBA, local businesses, Auckland Transport, Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development and Auckland Council departments.
“It’s a very exciting time for Papakura and we are proud to help the district grow and the community to prosper,” says Neil O’Connor.
“Under the unitary plan Papakura has been designated one of 10 ‘metropolitan centres’ which will function not only as community hubs but also as locations for strong business activity and economic growth.
“Papakura is the vibrant metropolitan centre for the southern end of the Auckland region. It's among the fastest growing regions in New Zealand, positioned perfectly to tap into the growth further south in Drury and Pokeno, and also sitting conveniently on the increasingly busy main routes to Hamilton and Tauranga on the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’.
“Featuring the sixth busiest rail exchange on the Auckland network, the upgraded heritage train station is a major feature of the town and will act as a hub for high frequency public transport. Appropriate planning rules have been designed to ensure high quality development.”
Papakura has over 150 years of history as a commercial and retail centre serving the local community as the heart of the surrounding district. The town’s diversity reflects its unique history in the refurbishment of heritage buildings into high-end apartments and commercial premises.
“Papakura retains a clear sense of identity that delivers the quality and variety you just don’t find in a shopping mall or business park,” says Tracy.
“Our museum celebrates the area's history, we have scores of cafes and restaurants, and top sports and arts facilities. Business optimism and the range of retail is growing; investment and people are quickly moving into Papakura and continually transforming the town.
“Papakura offers much for people looking to work, live and play in south-east Auckland.
“Papakura is about the future: opportunity and lifestyle.”
The Business Association have also created a Why Papakura! Prospectus for prospective businesses, investors and to show off the town and its amenities for those considering living in the area. Why Papakura can be found on www.papakura.co.nz.
Tasked with promoting and growing the local economy, and improving prosperity for the local business community while delivering wider benefits to the whole community as well as visitors to Papakura, the PBA has under 300 members. It is a not for profit organisation with a volunteer committee of businesspeople whose aim is to see Papakura grow and develop. The PBA have invested over $120,000 into the CCTV services and systems in place in the CBD and have had granting assistance of around $40,000 to upgrade the CCTV services.
“We are working to enhance prosperity, safety and security in Papakura,” says Tracy. “I am really enjoying the fantastic vibe and community spirit Papakura has, and I'm committed to working hard to ensure the vision of the PBA is achieved.
“Come and share in Proud Papakura Proud at our Papakura StreetFest.
“There will be heaps to see and do, with activities for adults and kids - clowns, face painting, bouncy castle and slide, balloons for the kids, market stalls in the main street and more. Come and learn about composting and the new Council three bin system. Sustainable Papakura Markets will show how to reduce our environmental footprint with reusable bags upcycled from used materials, and police, fire and ambulance will be demonstrating how they help our community, along with information from Neighbourhood Support and so much more.
“Join in the music and dance from local schools and groups - and there will be food, fabulous food.
“It's going to be just a great Free Family Fun Day. See you there!”
