Source: Whangarei District Council
Updated: 12/05/2020 12:02 p.m.
Whangārei’s local business community has come together with Whangarei District Council, Northland Chamber of Commerce and Northland Inc to develop Whangārei District Love It Local, a campaign to support local businesses and reconnect our communities with their local services and retailers.
The Whangārei District Love It Local campaign was shaped by the needs of local business owners through What’s Next Whangārei, a private business-to-business Facebook group. Business owners within the group identified a need for more help in the effort to restart businesses, as they recover from the social and economic effects of COVID-19.
One of the first actions of the Love It Local campaign was the launch of a community-led Whangārei District Love It Local Facebook group. This group offers an online platform where Whangārei businesses can connect with consumers, supported by the well-known and loved Whangārei District Love It Here! brand.
Whangārei businesses are invited to join the group and post about their businesses and what they offer, enabling local communities to support local businesses.
Facebook frames have been developed as part of the campaign, for use on Facebook profile pictures. This gives people the opportunity to unite and show their support for local businesses. While this initial campaign has been developed in response to COVID-19, it is a message that has a life far beyond the next few weeks.
Sheryl Mai, Mayor of Whangārei, is a strong supporter of the Love It Local campaign.
‘We all need to make the choice to support Whangārei businesses, whether that’s purchasing from them online, in-store (when we can), using local services or supporting our cafes and restaurants. Our local tradies, retailers, services, artists, and activities are calling for help – if you Love It Here, then please, Love It Local.’
