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Waimakariri set to bounce back By DAVID HILL Waimakariri is wellplaced to bounce back from Covid19, says Enterprise <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> (ENC) business development manager MilesDalton. Speaking at last week’s Waimakariri Jobs Summit, Mr Dalton said ENC was working to get 24 ‘‘exciting projects’’ off theground, and abetterthanexpected business opinion survey has given the region reason for optimism. ‘‘It’s bad, but notasbad as we thought,’’ he said,after the recent <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong> Business Opinion Survey. ‘‘We’ve takenaknock, but we are better placed than most other parts of the country. We’ve been through four disasters now —threeearthquakes and now aplague —and we come into our own whenbad things happen.’’ ENC has received two months worthofenquiries in just twoweeks from prospective new businesses. ‘‘We havehad quite alot of people coming in withsome really good projects whichthey have obviously put alot of thought into. ‘‘We are awareof19new businesses starting up in <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> sinceMarchand we’ve had 17 interviews with prospective new businesses.’’ The business survey found93 percent of businesses had areduced income duringlockdown, with 55% having areducedprofitfor the last six months,but 20% had higher profits. ‘‘We are seeingthat jump now thatlockdown has finished and retail and hospitality seemtobe pretty busy right now. As to how long thatwill last, that’sanotherquestion. ‘‘Onthe whole, businessesare hanging in there.Everyonetook abig hit from the lockdown and many had to take out loans,but mostbusinesses are prettyoptimistic about surviving. ‘‘The weakness of Waimakariri has suddenlybecome our strength in that we weren’t reliant on international tourismand we are seen as asafe haven. We’vebeen approached by international investors looking at setting up some fairly substantial operations.’’ Large projects includedLime Living (an apartment development proposed for Silverstream), the proposed aquasportspark in Kaiapoi, alargeTaiwanese pet food factory, the Waimakariri Sports Stadium, Ravenswood New World, a chocolate factory, various hemp projects, manuka oil and the proposed star trail, Mr Daltonsays. ‘‘One of the things I’ve often thought is that New Zealand needsto diversify away from peak cow, and hempand cannabis are coming in as an option. ‘‘Hemp for food andfibre and medicinal cannabis are very strong and thesepeople have their overseas markets already locked in. ‘‘And we’re stillworking towards the observatory and star trail,’’ he said, adding thatthere is less urgency because of the loss of international tourists.’’ Knitted out ... Ballarat knitters show off their wares. NEWS <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>July</strong> 9, <strong>2020</strong> 11 PHOTO: SUPPLIED Knitters busy during lockdown Ballarat Village residents kept busy during the lockdown with theirknitting. Residents at the Rangiora retirement village havespent the last six months knitting 18 blankets, 47 scarves, 10 pairs of slippers,19jerseys and four hats, village manager AndreaAllott says. ‘‘All these items are to be shipped off to Europe for Operation CoverUp. ‘‘Thisschemehas been running for close to 14 years and was established by Mission Without Borders to help children livingin orphanages in eastern Europe.’’ The villageknitters would love to receivedonations of wool so they can continue their efforts, Andrea says. ‘‘Theydofundraise for wool, but all donationswould be greatly appreciated.’’ Rural Women launch new wool garment label RuralWomen NewZealand (RWNZ) has launched anew knitting garment labeltohelp boostNew Zealand’s woolindustry. RWNZis an advocate for New Zealand wool as anatural and sustainableresource and members havea long heritage of creating woollen items for fundraising,charitable giftsand competitions. It is hopedthat the label, Project Warmth, will helpshowcasethe knitting skillsofmembers and the garments they make, while also supporting the New ZealandWool industry. Garments are available on the RWNZwebsite.