Activities

Activities

In April 2008 the Eastern Bay of Plenty Development Board (Whakatane District Council) and Toi-EDA were merged to conform with new central Government regional policy, where sub-regions are encouraged to increase collaboration and optimise resources.

Toi EDA is responsible for marketing and visitor services in the Whakatane district and economic development activities across the Eastern Bay of Plenty region. In the wider Bay of Plenty region, Toi-EDA is involved in designing an action plan of projects for funding from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It also has the Whakatane Events Management and Marketing Office under its wing.

The organisation, which recently adopted a three year strategic plan, is managed by Mary Hermanson. She leads a team of skilled professionals which has notched up some notable successes:

  • Commissioned Key Research to undertake a Key Stakeholder Communications Study across a wide range of stakeholders, staff members, funders, media, general business people and the community.
  • Enterprise Training Programme: More than $1.4m of central government funding has gone into the Eastern Bay of Plenty over seven years to fund business management training and Maori trustee training. This has resulted in better skilled business managers and trustees running more successful businesses.
  • Economic initiatives including cluster development, business mentor programme, employment skills strategy, AAA awards, Creative New Zealand partnership, RPP 
  • Comprehensive marketing programmes including television advertising, billboards, magazine articles, print ads, trade shows, Great NZ Touring Route, hosting journalists, website.
  • Marketing resources including – quality photographs, visitor guides, cluster brochures, Christmas cards, posters, entrance signs, presentation folders, DVDs.
  • Event development and marketing which has strengthened existing events and raised the profile of Whakatane as an event and conference destination.

Notable firsts