North West Country Inc media release April 2026
April is here and it’s all about getting prepared!
What an incredible few months it has been across the North West. The energy out there is amazing and we are seeing real momentum as our community comes together on some truly meaningful projects. From emergency preparedness to destination planning, local history to new tools for business it has been non-stop, and we would not have it any other way.
As always, we have been working hard behind the scenes to make sure our members and our region are supported. Here is what is happening across the North West this month.
Join Us at the CDEM Forum, Registrations Now Open!
Auckland Emergency Management is hosting this year’s Community Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Forum, and I am thrilled to be presenting about our Business Emergency Hub in Helensville. This is something we have been working towards for a long time, and it is a real honour to share our story with the wider Auckland community.
The forum takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026 at the Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Rd, Manukau. Plan to arrive from 8.30 am for a 9.00 am start, and it wraps up at 2.30 pm. Both the event and parking are free, so there really is no excuse not to come along!
This year’s theme is “Rhythms of Readiness: Stronger together in emergencies” and there will be inspiring speakers, information stands, break-out discussions and plenty of time for networking over morning tea and lunch.
Keynote speakers include Anne Pattillo, one of the country’s most experienced community engagement leaders, and Michele Poole, National Advisor for Public Information Management at Fire and Emergency NZ, who brings over 30 years of experience across major incidents in New Zealand and Australia.
If you want to be part of it, register now by emailing CDEMForum@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz with your name, phone number, organisation, any dietary requirements, access needs, and whether you use NZSL and require interpreters. Ensure your place — register now.
Destination Management Plan One Step Closer
Our first Destination Management Plan workshop was held at The Hunting Lodge with a great turn out of like-minded tourism operators. We all agreed that the North West is a picturesque place, providing space to breathe and reconnect while offering an array of great food places and experiences. Kaipatiki Reserve and Geothermal Pools will host the next workshop and showcase their current facilities and planned upgrades. Don’t miss out on your chance to input into the plan, get in touch with me to receive updates and invites.
Supporting Local History Preservation
We are collaborating with Rix Painting Services and Te Awaroa Museum to paint the Courthouse. This project, if funding can be achieved, will be the first in a project to bring life back to our historic buildings and put Te Awaroa Helensville on the map as a heritage village. If anyone wishes to be a part of this work or contribute to the project, please reach out to me at manager@northwestcountry.co.nz.
Kumeu Show a Hit
North West Country had a spot at the Kumeu Show 2026, which was a real hit. We shared our space with some great local businesses — SignVille NZ, Huapai/Kumeu Lions and Skydive Auckland. Both attracted a good range of enquiries, and it was made even more successful by SignVille printing “Up the Wahs” stickers for visitors. With the Warriors winning the night before, there were a lot of fans around!
Across the Helensville and Kumeu Shows, North West Country also invested into marketing business members who also were in attendance, adding our voice to yours to bring more people to your stalls.
PerformIQ Now Live for North West Country Members
Following a successful launch on 24th March, North West Country members can now get access to a PerformIQ subscription. PerformIQ is your online high performance business coach that will provide you with key metrics for your business and display the results in clear graphs. Once at least 50 businesses have joined, North West Country will be able to join and see aggregated and anonymised data that can then allow us to develop support tools. Subscribe today at https://www.thebettersmb.com/start-now/
North West Member Discounts Book Coming
We are about to produce an annual Members Discount book where North West Country members can offer member to member deals and help businesses source products and services locally. We are calling for any members who wish to offer discounts to other members and their staff. Books will be issued electronically to all members annually and will show your company logo, images and information. This is a great way to showcase your business and be seen by the wider community. To get your business included in the Webbook, email us now with details of your offer.
Nga mihi,
Danielle Hancock
General Manager, North West Country Inc
