Revised priorities announced for Northland economic development and tourism agencies

15 July, 2009

NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL COMMUNITY TRUST : MEDIA RELEASES 2009

Enterprise Northland and Destination Northland have announced a revised set of priorities for regional economic development and tourism

Andy Britton , chairman of the Northland Regional Council Community Trust – which governs the two organisations – said the changes were necessary to ensure that Northland gains the maximum advantage from the Rugby World Cup opportunity in 2011.

Mr Britton said the revised priorities are to:

•  Maximise the full economic opportunities for Northland from the 2011 Rugby World Cup

•  Lift Northland as a visitor destination

•  Work with the NRC on the key elements of the future growth strategy which considers investment and development in k ey industry sectors, to lift their contributions to Northland's GDP

“In view of all of the circumstances affecting the two organisations at present, including the worldwide economic downturn and resulting reductions in many of the funding sources, it makes sense to focus on the activities that we believe will have the greatest benefit to the regional economy.”

Mr Britton said Brian Roberts – Enterprise Northland's chief executive since its formation in 2002 – had been given immediate responsibility for leading the first two priority areas ensuring that his key marketing skills and experience are exclusively used for this priority strategic objective. Mr Roberts will also take on the leadership of Destination Northland in his new role as General Manager Marketing.

Mr Britton will take on the role of Acting CEO of Enterprise Northland for a three-month period to oversee the organisation's other accountabilities and consider the future direction and leadership of that entity. He will maintain a position on the Trust Board but hand over the Chairman's role to Deputy Chairman, Bill Shepherd for the duration of his secondment.