Past Raetihi for future

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 390, 11 June 1991, Page 4

Past Raetihi for future

• Recently, when in the USA I was fortunate enough to visit Santa Barbara, a town that was settled by the Spanish, very picturesque and a popular tourist attraction. All the buildings in their rnain street are built in the Spanish style. They have a bylaw that all new buildings, renovations etc, have to be in the old Spanish style. Why not, instead of spending large sums of money on yet another 'Shopping Mall' aim . to return Raetihi to an old colonial New Zealand town? Have an overall plan that shopowners, if and when they can afford to, have to comply with the old Raetihi look. This way frontages, verandahs, a necessity in this area, can be restored into the overall look. For some shops this may just entail erecting a false frontage over the existing building. I envisage - rounded rooves, perhaps tongue and groove frontages with smaller paned windows, (less expensive to replace). Raetihi already has a lovely wide main street, hitching post, town station, picture theatre, County and BNZ buildings, old Post Office and other buildings, worth preserving. Surely it is better to utilize what we have.

New is not necessarily better. Marg Haitana Ski work • Why is it that so many local people in this area have received a letter, concerning their application forms to work up the mountain this season, telling them that they are on the short list for ski field work? It seems each day goes by this so-called short list is getting longer and longer. The reason being that a big majority of locals have all been given the same answer. Why also was it that the interviews were done by what (sic) I regard as inexperienced people, who either don't live in this area or who are only new, and therefore not experienced enough to know just what locals are suitable and what (sic) are not. I know of some who have been told they have no job whatsoever. In actual fact some of these people are quite capable of doing a damn good job up the mountain. I also know that a lot of last year's staff are not returning this year. It was also made public that locals would get first preference over

outsiders. So just who are and where are this season's workers coming from? Curious. In reply to the letter from "Curious" the New Zealand Employment Service on behalf of Turoa Ski Resort Ltd sent out 130 letters of employment, and 43 letters stating that those persons are on the shortlist and may well get a job as the season progresses. It is essential that Turoa hire the best people for the jobs they have so that the standard of service to the public brings them back in future years. The great majority of Ohakune businesses with the exception of the market gardens and timber related industry rely on the business generated by the skifield. It is vitally important therefore that Turoa builds on the success they had last year. Local people who apply for positions with Turoa or other Tourism related businesses must be prepared for competition from other lobSeekers. To help the locals this year New Zealand Employment Service ran a four day course to assist appliTurnpage5

LETTERS

From page 4 cants with curriculum vitae preparation and interview skills. The management of Turoa Ski Resort Ltd went out of their way to interview most locals that applied. The advantages locals have are that they are available to start work immediately when needed, they have their own accommodation, and the money they earn goes back into the community. This year the number of locals working on the mountain will triple and that is a positive step forward. Of all the people who will be employed at Turoa this year more than 80 per cent are currently out of work. Unemployment is a very real part of life and people who are keen to work have applied from all over the country. For the second time Turoa have asked New Zealand Employment Service to assist with the massive volume of applications for the skifield positions. The Em-

ployment advisors involved are professional people with a wide experience in recruiting for many different types of industry. We also, due to our level of involvement in the community , have a real interest in assisting local people get jobs during the ski season. Two years ago New Zealand Employment Service was coming to Ohakune for only two hours every two weeks. Last year we stepped this up to three days per week in the winter and one day per week in the summer (Hours 10am-3pm). At a time when other services are being reduced we are endeavouring to give the Waimarino more support than ever before. We are available to discuss any employment related problems, and are more than pleased to be part of and positive initiatives in the local community.

Jan

Lawton

Employment Advisor New Zealand Employment Service