Northland Inc Secures Additional Funding to Continue Region’s Recovery

Northland Inc has secured $1,000,000 in funding from central government to continue to support
Taitokerau Northland’s recovery following the cyclone-related weather events earlier this year.

Northland Inc CE, Paul Linton.

Northland Inc Chief Executive Paul Linton says the funding is very welcome and provides much
needed support to encourage visitors back to the north, and to help Northland companies increase
their business resilience to deal with such events.

“Following the initial funding which was distributed by Northland Inc immediately following Cyclone
Gabrielle, our business community were telling us that they were still feeling the business impacts of
the weather events, and would like to be better prepared should a similar situation arise in the
future.

We recognised the flow on effects to our communities and regional economy, and as a result we
once again advocated on behalf of Taitokerau Northland to government to secure additional funds
to enable ongoing support for businesses and our visitor industry.”

The funding will be directed into tourism promotion, supporting the recovery of the region’s visitor
industry, and regional business capability and support programmes to build resilience for future
weather events. Activity will be designed and implemented over the next 12 months, providing both
immediate and ongoing support.

“Businesses across the region were impacted in a variety of ways as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle,
from disruption to trade, loss of stock, and damage to infrastructure. The additional funding which
has been provided through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment enables us to
design programmes of work to support the ongoing recovery of our economy, which was hard hit as
a result of the Cyclone.”

A recent independent report commissioned by Northland Inc highlighted the impact of the 58-day
closure of State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills following Cyclone Gabrielle, estimating the
cost of the road closure to Northland’s economy to be at least $112.8 million, or $1.94 million per
day.

With the road once again open, the funding is timely to help the region’s visitor industry rebuild,
says Linton. “We’re pleased to be able to continue to support our visitor industry, with the funding supporting
our efforts to keep Northland top of mind as a visitor destination over the next 12 months, providing
positive benefits for our industry and economy.”

A multi-channel domestic marketing campaign has just been launched by the Regional Tourism
Organisation, encouraging visitors North in the lead up to the peak summer months. The “Take 20
Minutes #NorthlandStyle” campaign plays on the time savings made through the Ara Tūhono –
Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway opening. Additional funding means such promotional efforts can
continue.

Northland is one of three regions to receive additional funding, with Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti also
receiving support.

Find further information on the www.beehive.govt.nz website