Gore District part of Think Rural national campaign
With a growing shortage of workers, the Gore District Council is taking a fresh approach to powering up our District. It is targeting young people in cities with a brand-new campaign selling the benefits of living in the country.
Think Rural is a nationwide campaign, with 18 rural districts signing up. Their goal is to contribute towards filling 1,150 jobs in rural areas with young people wanting to experience a new way of life. The campaign is driven by LGNZ’s Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), with support from the Ministry +of Social Development (MSD).
Gore District Council Mayor Tracy Hicks says he hopes that encouraging young people to Think Rural will attract a legion of keen and hardworking new recruits to the area.
“Whether you are into arts, sports or love the outdoors, it’s all on offer in the Gore District. We are the event capital of Southland and the centre of the south, with New Zealand treasures such as Queenstown and Central Otago only 90 minutes away.”
Gore District has around 80 to 90 jobs on offer, across a variety of professions from building to nursing. Rent in the District sit at around $320.
“It was an easy decision to support this project. We wanted to tell our story to the rest of the country.
“It was also a good opportunity to work with other rural councils to showcase the benefits of living in the country’s heartland.”
MTJF National Programme Manager Noa Woolloff, is aged 23 and passionate about getting young people into jobs that give them a new lease on life.
“Young people often think about going overseas to have new experiences. With the borders closed, we’re highlighting the incredible things New Zealand has to offer – right on their back doorstep.
“They say the grass is greener, but in this case it actually is. Think Rural will showcase what these towns have to offer – from welcoming communities to interesting jobs and outdoor adventures,” he said.
The rural councils getting behind the Think Rural scheme in the hope of drawing a younger crowd are Ōpōtiki, Ōtorohanga, Central Hawke’s Bay, Chatham Islands, Gore, Ruapehu, Waimate, Westland, Wairoa, Hurunui, Tararua, Grey, Rangitikei, Clutha, Hauraki, Mackenzie and Buller.
Each rural district has a chance to receive funding support of up to $500,000 to aid their efforts to support youth and COVID displaced workers into sustainable long-term employment.
Wannabe rural-dwellers can find the right community for them on www.thinkrural.co.nz. The site provides information on each participating town and directs people to available jobs.
