Pop in with your big ideas

Ideas and initiatives to enhance Russell's iconic waterfront are wanted, as a long-awaited placemaking project gets underway in the Far North town.

A pop-up shop will be open for 10 days starting next week, where locals, visitors, and anyone with ideas can share their input, chat with working group members, and learn how to get involved.

The pop-up shop is in the Ray White Realty premises on the corner of Cass and York Streets. It will be open from Wednesday 24 April to Wednesday 3 May, and will feature maps, information, special guests with expert knowledge, and an interactive survey to gauge opinion and capture ideas.

Around $90,000 from the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board was earmarked for the placemaking project in 2022 and will be a community-led initiative supported by Far North District Council.

A similar placemaking project in Paihia on the corner of Kings Road resulted in a new playground, walking area, and bbqs.

Community board member Jane Hindle is keen to get as many ideas and suggestions as possible.

"Placemaking is an approach in which people work together to improve places, not only for themselves but for others, now and into the future," she says.

"Using a pop-up shop gives us the chance to explain what placemaking is all about, but more importantly, it provides those in the community with an opportunity to share their ideas.

"We have some awesome creative people in the community, plenty of can-do attitudes, and we know when we work together, we can do good things – and have fun in the process."

Some of the suggestions from an initial call for ideas two years ago include mooring points on the wharf for boaties, planters and more seating, visible Māori stories, and traffic options for The Strand.

The pop-up shop's opening hours are Wednesday 24 April to Wednesday 3 May. Daily from 10am-4pm, late-night Wednesdays from 10am-7pm, Anzac Day 1pm-4pm.