I have been taking overseas visitors sightseeing around Whangarei and Northland these past three weeks but after visiting two local areas, Hikurangi and Kawakawa, where we stopped for refreshments, the difference between the two towns couldn't have been so different.
Both are just one-street towns. Hikurangi's shops are all but empty. The area seems to be serviced by a takeaway, dairy and charity shops. Kawakawa on the other hand is thriving; bustling with shoppers and sightseers. The only difference between the two townships is that Kawakawa has a steam train museum and a Hundertwasser toilet. Both seem to be drawcards for visitors.
Whangarei is spreading out but the inner city is dying. Your own newspaper reported some 40 shops empty. Are we to become a larger version of Hikurangi or should we "dare to dream, dare to be different" and build the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre and bring thousands of tourists to Whangarei and keep our city alive?
C. Castaign
Whangarei
What do you think? Comment below.
