At the heart of suburban areas are communal spaces, retail stores & outdoor markets where adults, teens and kids can work, shop, learn and play. But it can be challenging to develop inviting spaces, towns and venues that attract the local and extended community. It’s vital to build inclusive, healthy, and productive networks whilst understanding the heart of your local group.

Our panel have extensive experience in working with business associations, venues and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau. They will discuss ways you can help strengthen the social fabric of a community venue/ space through events, markets, services, business and education that help jump-start equitable economic development. The discussion will focus on how to attract our community back into our town centre/ suburbs after a hard two years of Covid.

Our panel members are:

Maggie Gray – Food Truck Collective
The Food Truck Collective is an events organisation dedicated to the support and improving the wellbeing of Auckland’s most promising street food businesses. Maggie (an ex-food truck owner) and her team are passionate about showcasing the best street kai by hosting popular events at parks and reserves across the city where many communities come together to celebrate great food!

Maggie’s role at The Food Truck Collective is to primarily organise events, but also to connect with key stakeholders within the industry that can help collaboratively grow the business.

Darcelle Bell- Ataata- The Pride Project

The Pride Project is a community-led support initiative run out of The Pride Project community house in Clendon within Manurewa. It works to combat anti-social activity and support people with complex needs who are falling through the cracks.

The Pride Project Charitable Trust has been working in the community of Manurewa since 2017 before becoming established as a Charitable Trust in 2019.

In the early days, the engagement was predominantly around Events & Placemaking however today the core mahi is in Hope Navigation. The Pride Project runs a number of mana enhancing Kaupapa for the community that includes General health & wellbeing, Covid Impact support, Rangatahi programme, Parenting, Grandparents raising Grandchildren and other needed supports we have identified in the community.

Audrey Williams- Former Business Manager Wiri Town Centre

Audrey is currently the National Recruiting Manager for Armourguard. Prior to that, she worked as a BID (Business Improvement District) manager for 16 years in 3 different BIDs including Wiri town centre. She has reported to and worked alongside the Manurewa, Otara/Papatoetoe and the Mangere/Otahuhu Local Boards and for the past 7 years, she has volunteered on the board of the Beautification Trust and 4 of those as the Chair.

Neil Punja- Town Centre Manager, Manurewa Business Association

Neil has strong governance experience and works across business and community groups interacting with Local Boards, Auckland Council and CCOs. With a background in change management and leadership, Neil’s worked closely with business associations and community groups to revitalise town centres and better connect businesses and community to feel safer and improve their health and well-being.

Book your ticket now!