Change text size
Change text size
‘Age Friendly Business’ signs beginning to appear outside Kapiti businesses indicate that those businesses offer patrons a welcoming environment.
Kapiti Grey Power, with the support of their national body (NZGP), has recently been working on an initiative across the Central New Zealand districts that have Grey Power associations and memberships. And it is taking off. Already 18 businesses across 6 districts have signed up, and are working through a fairly simple process to meet requirements, as most of the businesses already mainly comply.
The Age Friendly ‘Store’ process arrived from overseas in about 2000, and the Kapiti Coast District Council at that time was keen to become involved. The ‘shop’ requirements were relatively basic, but sensible and desirable –
Unfortunately, despite three attempts over the years, the process was never set up. However, mid - last year, the current President of Kapiti Coast Grey Power Roger Booth, who was Deputy Mayor of KCDC when the idea was first proposed in Kapiti, found he had the support of both Kapiti GP and NZGP to make it happen. And at last it has, but in ‘businesses’ rather than just stores, and in at least 6 districts across Central New Zealand.
5 businesses in Kapiti have signed up – Brien Electrical, Andy Magee Plumbing, Waterfront Bar and Kitchen, Columbus Coffee Bar, and Warehouse Stationery - and 5 more businesses are working through the checking and registration process. There are 8 more stores on board in Blenheim, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Horowhenua, and Hastings.
The NZGP President Gayle Chambers says that ‘It is great to see Kapiti has taken this initiative to ensure people’s needs are acknowledged when shopping’.
Roger Booth is keen to hear from other businesses happy to meet the stated requirements, and display such a sign outside their business. Contact on 04 9023421 or chrisrog@outlook.com