Big Red Welcome Centre Opens in Kaiwaka

Heading north on State Highway One after heading out of the Auckland SuperCity the first settlement you will come to is the lovely little town of Kaiwaka. This hardworking community have been busily working behind the scenes preparing for one of the worlds biggest sporting events; The Rugby World Cup. To match the colours of the three regionally hosted international rugby teams, "Paint it Red‟ is a Northland campaign to celebrate the
biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted. Catching your eye is Kaiwaka‟s big red welcome centre „aka‟ the Kaiwaka War Memorial Hall which has been enthusiastically refurbished and upgraded by willing voluntary labour from the local community with funding from Northland 2011.

Kaiwaka resident Ad Claris and the team coordinated the painting of the hall with paint donated by Wattle while Kaipara District Council extended and upgraded the public toilets.

“This is a great opportunity to further build on Kaiwaka‟s strategic location.” says Kaiwaka Local, Wayne Blisset. 

“Kaiwaka is also in an important location to promote The Twin Coast Discovery Highway through Mangawhai to the East and Matakohe, Dargaville and the Hokianga to the West.

Twelve of our leading tourism and community organisations have been chosen to represent Northland and we are expecting 25,000 visitors to visit Northland. The Welcome Centre will refer travellers to other I-sites and information centres throughout the region including the new Town Basin Hub‟ in Whangarei.

The whole community has been really enthusiastic about the project with other projects popping up all over the town including a new native garden being planted around the river with plants donated by Kauri Nurseries. Also a walkway under the bridge on state highway one is under construction by local workers.

The Welcome Centre is being promoted through signage on the highway and the Official Northland 2011 Passport Scheme; a souvenir quality travel booklet promoting the region, available from key Auckland and Northland travel operators, transport hubs and information centres.

The Official Opening will take place on Friday 2nd September at 10am. You are welcome to join us.