Connecting a Kaikorai community

People from businesses across Kaikorai Valley gathered this week for session two of the AKV Business+ programme. This session aim was for AKV to connect with businesses and share a little of our story, and for businesses in turn to share a little of their story with us! Chairman Paul Southworth ran through a photo montage of some of the things AKV have done, from setting up the trust, through to the dynamic organisation it is today.

Then we heard from the people participating - people from Downer, Fulton Hogan, Dynes Transport, Ribbonwood Nurseries, Design Arc, and Turboweb. One theme that emerged was that Kaikorai Valley is a place of connection. Businesses have been operating in Kaikorai Valley for a long time, but also people are deeply connected to this place on a personal level. We’ve gone to school here, we’ve worked here, we’ve joined other groups here. Looking after this place is important because we’re all connected.

After a short break to have afternoon tea and catch up with each other, we hopped in a van and viewed the site of an old industry in Kaikorai Valley - the old Roslyn mills. From here you could see some of the geological features that Simon McMillan shared in session one, such as Caversham sandstone, and basalt from the Dunedin volcano.

Further down the valley, sits the Dynes Transport premises. They gave us a tour of some of their practices that enhance the water quality of the Kaikorai stream, such as removing weeds, doing some riparian planting, and some clever engineering practices that prevent spillage into the stream.

It was a stinking hot afternoon but it was a pleasure to host a high-calibre group of people, and we look forward to welcoming them to session three next month.