Why you should shop locally this festive season - Mayor Andy

The knock-on impacts of spending money in your community shouldn’t be underestimated.

When people spend money locally instead of elsewhere, they’re investing in their community. Some research suggests that two thirds of money spent locally stays in a local economy.

That money circulates locally through wages to staff and contractors, purchases from suppliers, providing sports clubs with much needed funding through sponsorship, or donations, and in-kind support for groups like Lions, St John’s, theatre/music providers, environmental groups etc.

The Rangitīkei economy is facing some strong headwinds at the moment. We’re a district that is heavily reliant on the primary and forestry sectors to provide for the majority of our residents, both of which are still in recovery mode.

Although dairy payouts have seen an increase from last year which is a welcome boost to the sector, sheep and beef prices remain relatively low.

A downturn in the Chinese building sector means that demand for logs is weak, and the recent closure of the Winstone Pulp International mills in the Ruapehu District has had a significant impact on some of our residents as well, especially in Taihape.

The cost-of-living crisis is still having an impact. Our consumer spending growth is below the national average at 1.7 percent (nationally it’s at 1.9 percent). While inflation is coming down and interest rates are starting to fall, the benefits of these things are still to be realised.

Households are doing it tough, and so I appreciate the temptation to shop online, or go to one of the bigger retailers in Whanganui, Palmerston North, or further afield, and spend your money there is strong, and a convenient option for many.

However, I have found over the years that everything that I need and want is available to me in Rangitīkei. I’d encourage you to have a look and see what is available on your doorstep first. Share that information with others, so that they know what’s available here too. If you have a great experience with a retailer or service provider, let them know and let your friends and whānau know. These simple things can make a huge difference to businesses bottom line and give our retails sector a much-needed boost this Christmas.

To encourage residents, Council have launched the Shop Rangitīkei promotion, where anyone who spends $20 at any Rangitīkei store or service provider between now and 19 December 2024 can enter the draw to win one of 8 $100 Prezzy cards. The first week has just been completed and we've already had 189 entries who shopped at 40 stores across the district.

The more that we spend locally, the better it is for our community that we live and work in.