“Whangarei: love it – show it!” is the theme for a t-shirt competition to be launched today as part of a longer term plan to raise the profile of Whangarei as a great place to live, work and play.  There will be 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.

The t-shirt initiative has involved representatives from the business, creative, cultural and tourism sectors and Whangarei District Council.  “What we’re doing is starting with one small step to help people show their love of this District and promote it,” says WDC Economic Development Manager Pete Gleeson.

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.  “It’s about shifting perceptions of Whangarei – including what residents think and say, as well as what tourists see and hear.  The ‘Whangarei: love it – show it!’ theme will harness locals’ pride in Whangarei and that will reflect out into the way visitors and potential new residents and businesses view us as well.

“The most important thing is the involvement of the community. We want the community to champion this cause.  We all love it here, so why not start talking about it more openly?”

Local artist and retailer Kara Dodson is excited about the initiative, and was the first to step up, volunteering her support with the planning and organising of the t-shirt design competition.

The competition is open to Whangarei residents and anyone who has called Whangarei home, with entrants creating a design that illustrates why they love Whangarei.

The competition closes on 10 November, after which all designs will go on display in the Old Library. Judges will narrow the field to 30 designs and the community will then get to vote for the five winning designs.  The five top designs will be transformed into t-shirt prints and the t-shirts will go on sale prior to Christmas.

Kara says the t-shirts will fill a distinct gap in the market, with customers often seeking out Whangarei t-shirts.

“Having a range of t-shirts that promote Whangarei and have been designed by locals will be awesome.

“We’re so lucky here. Lots of us ended up here because of family or work, but most of us stay because it’s such a great place to live. So come on Whangarei – design the shirts, get involved in choosing the best, and above all – wear them proudly!”

ENDS

How to enter

Competition details can be collected from the Old Library in Rust Ave or downloaded from the www.whangareinz.com website. Schools and other community groups who are interested should contact Sandy Lee at the Old Library on (09) 430 6432 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Entries for the competition can be delivered or posted to the Old Library c/- Whangarei Love it/Show it Competition, 7 Rust Ave, Whangarei. Entries can also be emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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 t-shirt competition:
Kara Dodson
Tuatara Design Store
Phone (09) 430 0121
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)