Maz M introduced Jennifer. Originally from Canada, she is married to a Kiwi and they live in Whangamata with their young family. Jenny recently started working for MPDC as Senior Advisor of Placemaking and Engagement. 

Jenny spoke to the Club about the placemaking and tactical urbanism plan for the three towns Matamata, Morrinsville and Te Aroha, named Pride of Place. The idea is to make these town centres more appealing to encourage more local interaction, there is a $4.1m budget which sounds a lot but divided amongst three doesn't go that far. So the trick is to find quick inexpensive but effective ways, activities, additions etc. that will entice people in. Best way to check what the community wants is by asking, which is what the Council has been doing. Why do you come into town, socialise, shop? What do you love about Matamata? Some requests have been pop-up shops, art installations, outdoor movies, communal gardens. Jenny gave an example of something done in Christchurch after the earthquakes: an exterior dance floor was erected with a jukebox (installed in a washing machine) the coin turnover showed just how popular this is. 

The drive behind this is not only the amendment to legislation in 2019 to better support local communities but really in these pandemic times there is a strong need to bring people back together. The Council is looking for community champions and business partners to work with, there will be an online meeting for this April 7th.

In question time Leonie asked if the focus was on town centres or townships? Definitely this plan is around centres. Michelle mentioned that Interact would be keen to be involved, they are wanting to create a bigger communal garden than what we currently have. Jenny is excited with what she has seen about Interact so far and is wanting to work with them. Jane queried whether we were looking at a specific town green, a community hub where night markets or other such events could be held so as not to always involve Waka Kotahi. 

Jenny finished by saying how much she enjoyed talking with the Club, and it's enthusiasm for our town was evident in all the places she has seen Rotary "touches". She was happy we would be advocates for this project.

 

Merv K thanked Jennifer for attending our Zoom meeting, "thanks for taking on this job (Pride of Place).... must be terrible hours but an exciting project .... a very interesting talk!" He advised her we'd make a donation on her behalf (Polio) and a certificate and pen would be sent to her  in due time.

My apologies for not including Johnny Dryden, District 9930 Membership Chair in my previous Bulletin. He attended our Zoom meeting and spoke briefly on membership, i.e. retaining/increasing Club numbers. During the pandemic some Clubs have struggled to retain let alone increase their membership. Apparently Matamata was still above the norm in retention but a focus on this is always a good reminder to look for opportunities. Robert took this one to advise that sadly Karl Tookey was moving up to Auckland for family reasons and had handed his notice in. So in effect whilst our Club has lost some members as they have gone to other Clubs Rotary numbers have not declined!  

 

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