Budding photographers in Whangarei are being asked to encapsulate in photos their favourite view in a Billboard Challenge launched this week.

‘Love it Here!’ is the theme for the challenge, which is part of a longer term plan to raise the profile of Whangarei as a great place to live, work and play.  It is the second in a series of grass-roots initiatives, actively engaging the community to take a lead role and show pride in the community.

The billboard initiative has involved representatives from the business, creative, cultural and tourism sectors and Whangarei District Council.

“The challenge is about inspiring people with photos capture on film why they love it here in Whangarei,” says WDC Economic Development Manager Pete Gleeson. “This is a ‘heart and soul’ initiative to inspire pride and creativity. As well as creating a collection of fantastic images, the winning designs will be used to create larger than life billboards to showcase the city.”

All submitted designs will contribute to a photographic exhibition as part of the Endless Summer Festival, and the 12 top images will be transformed into mobile billboards in an open air exhibition in March.

Mr Gleeson says summer is the perfect time to launch the campaign, as most people are out and about, enjoying all the Whangarei District has to offer.

“This is a beautiful place to live all year round, but summer is the time we truly get out and experience our many amazing beaches and coastal walks. It’s also the time we set up sprinklers in the backyard, get drippy ice-creams from the local dairy and get involved in community events with the kids on holiday. We’re asking people to record what makes this place special to them.”

The challenge closes on 14th February 2011, after which all submitted images will go on display as part of the Endless Summer Festival. Judges will narrow the field and the community will then get to vote on the top 12 images to be transformed into ‘Love it Here’ mobile billboards that will be used to promote the city at future events, including the Rugby World Cup. Some images may also be transformed into other promotional material such as Whangarei postcards and tea towels.

Public voting will take place on facebook at www.facebook.com/whangareiloveithere and full competition details are available at www.whangareinz.com. Entries for the competition can be delivered or posted to the Big Fish Creative c/- Billboard Challenge, 51A Norfolk Street, Whangarei. Entries can also be emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Photographs must be submitted digitally at no smaller than 300 dpi (approx 5 MB) or can be provided as a negative.

The initiative reflects the values being promoted through the Northland Pride Campaign, being run by the Northland Intersectoral Forum (NIF), of which WDC is a member. The Northland Pride Campaign aims to build community ownership of community safety through people taking care of each other and taking pride in their communities.

Download Terms & Conditions

ENDS

Background
A number of community groups and individuals made submissions to WDC’s most recent Annual Plan, asking Council to take the lead in positively branding or promoting the city. The billboard challenge is part of a longer term plan to raise the profile of Whangarei as a great place to live, work and play.  It is the second in a series of grass-roots initiatives, actively engaging the community who will take a lead role to ensure the initiatives reflect the heart and soul of Whangarei people.

More information on promoting Whangarei:
Pete Gleeson, Economic Development Manager, Whangarei District Council
Phone (09) 470 3085
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

More information on the billboard competition:
Tristan Tuckey
Big Fish Creative
Phone (09) 430 3434
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)