Activity: i-SITE
The vision of Far North District Council i-SITEs is to encourage visitors to stay longer, enjoy more activities, and spend more money in the Far North by providing them with a positive image of our district. We do this through the provision of information services and facilities that are affordable, accessible, and contribute to the district’s development needs.
Tourism New Zealand, i-SITE New Zealand, and Council have an agreement that recognises the importance of having an effective and high quality network of visitor information centres dedicated to delivering free, comprehensive, and objective information.
We provide information on destinations anywhere in New Zealand, offering the best advice on; where to go and what to see and do, in terms of accommodation, travel, activities, attractions, local information, and events. We also offer residents and ratepayers a place to do Council business.
Key facts
Council operates and maintains 3 visitor information centres (i-SITEs) including:
- Bay of Islands located in Paihia.
- Far North located in Kaitaia.
- Hokianga located in Opononi.
Our major achievements in 2012/13
- Staff across i-SITEs participated in the earthquake “Drop Cover Hold” Civil Defence exercise along with some customers.
- Refurbishment of the Bay of Island i-SITE at Paihia has made a positive impact increasing visitors into the facility.
- Reviewing i-SITE NZ strategy to ensure alignment with future FNDC i-SITE strategy.
- More European overseas visitors arrived in New Zealand and at the end of NZ summer season.
- Opononi Four Square premises burnt down and re-located in the Hokianga i-SITE building in Opononi for approximately four months.
Challenges we experienced
- Responding to the Paihia Waterfront Plan, Council needs to ensure visitors have visibility and ease of access to the i-SITE in Paihia.
Plans for the next 12 months
- Remain an accredited member of i-SITE New Zealand through meeting the annual Qualmark assessment.
- Deliver a quality visitor experience by providing a welcoming, friendly and professional service.