Growth fund backs Gore projects
Work will start immediately on a major upgrade of the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Gore’s heritage precinct after a cash injection from the Provincial Growth Fund on Thursday.
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones was in Gore to announce $3.7 million in funding across two projects: the Maruawai project, which will receive $1.6m; and the Hokonui Huanui project, which will receive $2.1m.
Jones said the Hokonui Huanui project, which aims to ensure atrisk young people have the skills to take up jobs created from Southland’s growing economy, was quite an emotional one for him.
‘‘I’m from the Far North and we’ve got our challenges up there about misspent youth. The reality is I didn’t actually appreciate there are so many youngsters down here that fall into that category and once I was alerted to that I wanted to swing into action,’’ Jones said.
‘‘The prime minister, when we were elected, said that we would be measured on how we were transforming the lives of these young ones who, either through lifestyle choice, family circumstances or whatever, just the dice of life, they’re on the side of the road. So I’ll gladly put my hand up.’’
He would like to see the project replicated in the Far North, he said.
The Maruawai project was an exciting one that would bring people to Gore, Jones said.
‘‘It will enable Gore to attract and maintain more of the tourism traffic and ensure that more people take time to spend their money, bring their friends, bring their relations and their international visitors to enjoy [it] and have a good time.’’
Gore District arts and heritage curator Jim Geddes said the project had been 30 years in the planning.
‘‘I’m absolutely thrilled. Now that we have the project across the line we can work on finalising detailed design work and start the actual planning process.’’
Stage one will see the redevelopment of the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and the establishment of a boutique moonshine distillery.
‘‘We have done a lot of work already and we have a lot of local people who are really ready to sink their teeth into this project.’’
He invited Jones back to officially open the project, which he expected would take about a year.
Gore District mayor Tracy Hicks welcomed investment from the Provincial Growth Fund.
‘‘It’s the right investment, at the right time, in the right place. It is also great to have a Government supportive of developing communities like the Gore District to become centres of attraction and excellence for the future,’’ he said.
‘‘It will enable Gore to attract and maintain more of the tourism traffic and ensure that more people take time to spend their money.’’ Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones