The Kaitaia Business Association
Kaitaia Business Association is a registered Incorporated Society made up of local businesses. It’s a ‘not for profit’ volunteer group which benefits local businesses and the wider community by driving projects.
Our Objectives
Business Support
Connecting businesses to financial and advisory support through Northland Inc.’s Regional Partnership Program and our newest Student/Apprenticeship Scholarship.
Advocacy
Presenting the needs and concerns of our community directly before Council and Central Government while providing valuable feedback to our members.
Promotion and Marketing
Current Finalists for the Beautiful Town Awards through the efforts of the Te Hiku Revitalisation Projects.
Environment/Economic Development
Ensure local contractors are awarded work for the Te Hiku Revitalisation Project providing interesting spaces for people to meet together
About the KBA Business Improvement District (BID)
The BID is a partnership between the Far North District Council (FNDC) and the Kaitaia business community designed to revitalise our main shopping and business areas. In 2012 a poll amongst Central Business District (CBD) business and property owners to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) for Kaitaia was accepted with a 53% majority. With this successful ballot, in late 2012, Kaitaia became the northern-most town, and the first rural town in New Zealand, to attain the benefits of a BID.
The BID is designed to improve CBD business and amenity through agreed regular improvements to the town’s physical, operational or security infrastructure within the town centre. The BID is a partnership between local government (mainly through regular liaison with the Community Board) and local businesses funded through a quarterly levy, by way of an FNDC targeted rate.
Local businesses within the BID area (or those outside the area who choose to join) contribute an amount of money each year through a proportional system which is determined by BID regulations via their rateable property value.
The Far North District Council includes the levy with their regular rates notices and then forwards quarterly installments of the BID portion to the Kaitaia Business Association. The council provides this service free of charge.
The money collected through the BID project is administered by the Kaitaia Business Association and enables the Kaitaia business community to determine and drive our own direction and destiny. No person or single business is able to derive individual financial gain as a result of being involved in the BID project.
This money is used to:
- Develop and promote the Kaitaia CBD generally.
- Support economic growth through the identification and strategic and annual planning of projects.
- Increase employment and local business investment by showing potential investors and businesses that there is strong business leadership in the town.
- Enhance the physical environment through determining appropriate and useful projects.
Years Established
Current Members
2024 KBA CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
KBA APPRENTICESHIP/TRAINEE SCHOLARSHIP
Te Hiku Revitalisation Project
Kaitaia
The art installations in the alleyways and market square reflect the diversity of cultures, landscapes, flora and fauna as well as tell some of the stories that help connect us to our past. Message themes are history, hope, aroha and whanaungatanga/ connectedness. A new welcome sign on the North end of Kaitaia has been installed with refurbished seating, a Town Square, a Market Square, improvements to Jaycee Park and Allen Bell Park and a pump track at Memorial Park in Bank St.
Awanui
Streetscaping includes recognising the history of the town and community while replicating the nautical theme that the town Awanui was named after “Big River”. Awanui now has an upgraded park with flying fox and pumptrack, more seating and shade sails, a BBQ, a new carpark for the park/cafe, a boardwalk area in the cafe with historical information and 3 pou designed and carved by Maori Erstich from Ngai Takoto to welcome visitors from the East, North and South.
Ahipara
The Te Hiku Revitalisation project is now complete. Ahipara has so many special places. Some of these are now recognised with the entrance taonga designed by BJ Natanahira and another signifant art work on Roma Road by Dave Snowden. Both of these amazing art works tie in cultural and historical korero that is recorded on the post beside it. A digital noticeboard keeps the community informed of all the happenings in the area. Tamariki at the school researched how Ahiparapara got its name and under Kim Subritzky’s guidance designed artwork for the Te Rarawa rugby fence. Korora Park features the only whale in the Southern hemisphere with a flying fox and pump track too. Shared pathways, umbrellas, tables & a BBQ are highlights around the foreshore.