The Tauranga City Council is attempting to offer Christchurch earthquake victims free 10-day holidays in Tauranga.
Called ‘Ten Days in Tauranga', Mayor Stuart Crosby and MP Simon Bridges are proposing the Tauranga community open its doors to Christchurch.
The choice seems simple - living with the wreckage or taking a break at Mount Maunganui.
It is timed from April 10-20 with Christchurch people being offered free airfares and accommodation.
Tangible offers received so far include community billets from people who have offered their homes, moteliers contributing discount rooms, free accommodation at the council motor camp, marae sleepovers and free shuttle services for the visitors.
The council is trying to arrange air travel with Air New Zealand at the $50 earthquake rate.
Activities will include at cost, or severely discounted, tourism operator entertainment, tickets to the Crusaders rugby match versus the Chiefs on April 15, free days at Baywave and the hot pools, and free bus travel round the city.
Council communications manager Elizabeth Hughes is organising contacts and coordinating offers.
An email address: tendays@tauranga.govt.nz is available for ideas and suggestions and a Facebook page is being created.
Ideas have been put forward for a concert, hosted dinners, school visits and a sponsor has already stepped up for a street party on The Strand.
'Currently people are very focused on fundraising to raise money send down to Christchurch,” says Elizabeth.
'This initiative does not replace those fundraising efforts, but instead provides a focused local opportunity that may make more sense to some people who live here.
'It does enable us to offer the people of Tauranga the opportunity to put a pragmatic and meaningful foot forward to reach out to the people of Christchurch.”
Funds will need to be raised specifically and locally for this from participating organisations, and a dedicated funding mechanism will need to be established.
The full package will be detailed early next week.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-Days-in-Tauranga/
5 comments
Ten days in Tauranga
Posted on 03-03-2011 13:50 | By Bev
What a super idea! Christchurch people need as much relief as we can offer. We hope everyone is generous!
Holidays for Ch-ch residents
Posted on 03-03-2011 14:40 | By Pamaxx
Great idea, I was born in Ch-ch and have sympathy for the plight of my fellow citizens. congratulations to TCC and Simon Bridges for this initiative. We look forward to greeting our billets when they arrive at Oceanbeach Rd. Max & Pam Lewis, Mt Maunganui.
Good idea but ...
Posted on 04-03-2011 12:02 | By TERMITE
Why not leave Council out of this they can't cope already, this should be organised by Priorty One or the Chamber of Commerce, it would give them something useful to do.
Why not now
Posted on 04-03-2011 12:15 | By Colleen Spiro
Whilst I agree this is a good idea, I am in two minds as to whether we should be inviting people immediately. Another four weeks is a long time for some people to wait in the devastation that surrounds them... I drive along Papamoa/Mt Maunganui Road, and see baches/luxury units empty and probably only used for a few weeks in the summer. Would be amazing if these people opened their homes now. I know you would need time to organise these events for these people, but some are so desperate to get away from the aftershocks and the fear that every single one brings.
Excellent plan
Posted on 04-03-2011 19:33 | By Insider
Don't need preening Council wallahs directly involved, they will probably stuff a good idea up.Those mentioned give little cause for much confidence if their Council performances are anything to go by.Why not let Tourism BOP and Tauranga Chamber of Commerce get on with sorting the job out as they seem to have sweet nothing to do most of the time. As Council bunnies they can smooth any deals or concessions out with TCC Council.All the best to those Christchurch people who choose to come up here the locals will give you a warm welcome and any assistance they can to make your stay enjoyable.
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