Kawerau’s i-SITE is now permanently under in-house council management.

It has been run in-house since October 2016, when council took over the management from an external contractor. This arrangement was to be reviewed in October this year. The decision to review the operation was brought forward due to the fact significant progress had been achieved with the centre since council brought it in-house in October 2016. This progress included achieving i-SITE membership very quickly and a considerable refurbishment of the building, which is almost complete.

“The i-SITE and its staff have received numerous positive comments from the community and visitors and continue to develop close relationships with other i-Sites,” council economic and community development manager Glenn Sutton says.

“The centre is increasingly pivotal in promoting Kawerau and has an important role in delivering Council’s strategies for marketing and growing the district. It was therefore appropriate the review was brought forward so we could build on this early success.”

The review was also brought forward due to the fact all centre staff were on fixed–term employment agreements, most of which were due to expire at the end of March.

“To ensure the continuity of quality service that the i-SITE’s team currently provides, it was of huge advantage to council that we give staff a degree of long-term job security and confidence by establishing their roles as permanent positions.”

Council approved the recommendation at a meeting earlier this week, and the move cements the organisation’s approach for utilising the i-SITE as a key tool for encouraging growth in Kawerau. 

“Councillors were very complimentary of the i-SITE, particularly the quality of service the team are providing the public,” Glenn says.

The i-SITE and its staff have also received numerous positive comments from the community and visitors.

Another benefit of the i-SITE is its growing contribution to supporting community activities and events, for example the Kawerau community wall inside the centre. This wall displays a stunning picture of the Ruranga Stream, and features brochures on local businesses, groups and activities as well as cards for local businesses.