From surf beaches to sunset scenes, Whangarei residents have already entered a dazzling array of photographs in the Whangarei ‘Love it Here’ Billboard Challenge.

“People have until February 14 to get their entries in to us, and from the look of the pictures we have received so far, the competition is going to be spectacular,” says Whangarei District Council Economic Development Manager Pete Gleeson.
 
“The pictures sent in so far clearly show why people love living in Whangarei. I’m looking forward to all the pictures that will be coming in as people return from holiday and start downloading and sharing their photos. It’s not just about the beautiful scenery – it’s about capturing the essence of this place in the people and the settings that make us unique.”
 
When the challenge closes on 14 February 2011, all submitted images will go on display as part of the Endless Summer Festival. Judges will select the 12 top images to be transformed into mobile billboards in an open air exhibition in March, and the public will select the winner. Some images may also be transformed into other promotional material such as Whangarei postcards and tea towels, and some will become larger-than-life billboards to showcase the city at future events, including the Rugby World Cup.
 
The winning entrant will receive a ‘Perfect Day’ day long, sight-seeing cruise for two to the Poor Knights Islands with Dive! Tutukaka.
 
Mr Gleeson says this great prize donated by Dive! Tutukaka is yet another example of the incredible experiences on offer in the Whangarei District.
 
“There are so many amazing things about this District, including the Poor Knights Islands, and this collection of billboards will become an iconic visual representation of what makes this place special.”
 
Launched in late December, the Billboard Challenge 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 initiatives involve representatives from the business, creative, cultural and tourism sectors and Whangarei District Council and are part of a long-term plan to raise Whangarei’s profile as a great place to live, work and play. 
 
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.
 
ENDS
 
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:
Jade Moore
Big Fish Creative
Phone (09) 430 3434
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)