Following an economic upsurge for Porirua City, Mayor Mike Tana is inviting ‘the widest possible range of stakeholders’ to a four hour summit next week to help shape the city centre’s future.

“Business is booming in Porirua,” says Mayor Tana. “Office space occupancy is well up on this time last year and several key commercial properties recently sold to new and progressive owners.

“Off the back of this business confidence it’s time to put a collective focus on our city centre. We already have more than a 100 people attending the summit, and we can take more,” he says.

Mayor Tana says the city centre is the anchor point for the continued success of the entire city and next week’s open forum has goals of attracting and retaining retailers, hospitality and service businesses along with the right mix of cafes and allied businesses so that residents, workers and visitors enjoy coming to the heart of the city.

But the Mayor is adamant that this summit will be no mere talkfest. “We will be capitalising on community discussions to date, sharing the thinking behind commercial and community goals, defining the priorities and moving forward together,” he says.

Along with the interactive workshops there will be guest speakers including insight from successful local architect, Elyjana Roach along with the recent revitalisation experience of Invercargill’s inner city co-ordinator Kari Graber. Mayor Tana believes Porirua has several key similarities to New Zealand’s southernmost city.

Mayor Tana says the concept of kaitiakitanga within the project is particularly satisfying to both himself and his Council. “As guardians of Porirua’s social and economic success, everyone’s involvement in next week’s summit can make a tangible difference.”

The City Centre Summit is on Wednesday, 2 May at Te Rauparaha Arena and will be facilitated by Chris Wilkinson from First Retail Group.

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