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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 430| 20 January 2012

Changes proposed for Punanga Nui Market
BTIB has proposed that there will be changes in regards to the future of the Punanga Nui Market. Terry Rangi, Chief Executive Officer of the Business Trade Investment Board, (BTIB), plans to modify the current structure of the Punanga Nui Market and make some alterations to ensure the best for the vendors of the Punanga Nui Market as well as the members of the general public.
A meeting was held at the Sinai Hall at 6pm by BTIB to discuss matters concerning the Punanga Nui Market’s current status. Over 100 people attended including vendors, hut owners and members of the general public. All were eager to hear the BTIB’s plans. The meeting was divided into several sectors, the first being more of an introduction to the Punanga Nui and its relationship with BTIB. This section of the meeting provided the background information of the BTIB and how the Market was transferred from the management of CIIC to BTIB. Also provided was an overview of the policies and administrations that concern the Market.
A financial report was presented to the meeting, which covered the total costs and fees of maintaining the Market and also an update on the profits of the vendors. From this, they can fathom whether the vendors will benefit from their sales. A lot of people showed surprise at the results that were displayed.
Chris Manu, who is in charge of the strategic plan and the project proposals, had several matters to discuss with the vendors. These are the long term goals that BTIB wish to achieve with the sufficient funding aid of donors. As part of the seven stages, an Information Centre will be erected, as this will be of great assistance to the tourists. A bus stop will also be situated in front of the Market, as this will ensure a steady flow of tourists coming into marketplace.
Lighting will also be installed as part of the new upgrading system. This is a much needed factor for the upcoming Night Markets that will be held later in the year. Pathways will also be formed to create a more accessible course into the market, as some vendors are having difficulties attracting potential customers due to the access being limited to their stalls. The new pathways are expected to solve this setback.
Plans for a Food Court are underway, as BTIB has noticed that there is a lack of seating. “People have bought their food, but there’s nowhere to sit, eat and enjoy it,” says Rangi. The setting of the Food Court will have a modern taste to it, as a sail-like covering will be attached to the roofs of nearby huts. More tables will be purchased to meet the growing amount of people who are attending the marketplace.
BTIB plans to open the Market on a weekly basis, instead of the usual Saturday routine. On Wednesdays, farmers are welcome to bring in their produce to sell to the public. The stalls will be free of charge. “If we charge the farmers, then they won’t be willing to sell.” Rangi states. BTIB plans to attract the local accommodation companies, such as hotels, resorts and such, to come and purchase their produce every Wednesday at the market. Thursdays will be mainly focused on Arts and Craft and on Fridays, the market will be open during the morning and afternoon hours. On Saturdays, it reverts back to its normal routine. There is also an events calendar that the BTIB has planned out for the year, so that is another matter that the public must be made aware of.
In the short term, BTIB plans to regulate parking. A $2 parking fee has ensured a steady flow of vehicles instead of a congested car park. An idea was that the vendors will have free access to the parking, but it will be hard to differentiate between the vendors and the public. A new market lane will be situated at the beginning of the market, joining the pathways around the huts. Also, BTIB plans to allocate areas in which vendors can sell their produce from their vehicles and the system of a vehicle loading zone will be installed, as this will make offloading for vendors much easier. -Norma Ngatamariki

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