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 Action to strengthen the community.
53) Strengthening communities so that they will be able to protect their own inheritance is far more important than protecting buildings in the hope that this will build community.
54) In practice this means focusing on, and building upon, strengths rather than weaknesses. This is different from the normal planning process. This creative positive approach to planning has the potential to get everyone excited and involved. In fulfilling the destiny of the Heritage Precinct there is potential for people to recognise that they are also fulfilling their own destiny in their own lives.
55) The library, for example, has been a great success. Building on that success might mean extending the opening hours, developing an outreach programme, possibly through using the rural delivery system to deliver and return books, or restoring the original roof of the building.
56) The Waterline Café has been a brilliant success. Building on that success might mean reducing rates to ensure ongoing economic viability, and recognising that it performs an important community function.
57) Village Arts has been an astonishing success. Building on that success might mean stabilising the staffing situation so that it is not dependent on volunteers. Supporting community initiatives is more important than spending money on infrastructure. The local people repair and upgrade buildings within the Heritage Precinct in a modest and unpretentious way. No expert could even begin achieving what these local people have achieved.
58) The Kohukohu village store is excellent, and full of local character, but it is at risk. If it is sold the community could lose the store. Spot zoning in place before any sale would limit future more lucrative options. Planning should limit development potential rather than enhancing it.
59) The Post Office was once a centre for every community. The seeming inability of Post Offices to reinvent themselves is not inevitable. Communication is critical in a democracy. This is the hub of a wonderful rural delivery service. The Heritage Precinct needs to be of service to the whole of the North Hokianga, just as it once was. Remote areas need to have their medicines or groceries delivered, but these people also need to find a community when they come to town. An ATM machine at the Post Office would be a wonderful local service.
60) The local market becomes a meeting place as much as a place of exchange. Local produce and local people.
61) With a strong community much more could be done.
Build on strengths rather than overcoming weaknesses.
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