New Te Awamutu i-Site visitor information centre general manager Harriet Dixon brings many points of difference to her role.
Harriet Dixon. Photo: Jesse Wood
Having been a tourist herself, after living in the Waipā for seven years, she’s ready to help the community and pass on her knowledge.
Harriet moved from England 14 years ago and has lived in Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch, Cambridge and now Kihikihi.
“I came from a town called Leamington Spa, which is a bit strange because I ended up working in Leamington on the other side of the world,” she said.
The Te Awamutu Rose Gardens are a great draw card.
“I was in Cambridge for three years and I’ve been here in Kihikihi for four years. I really like the area. It’s so accessible to anywhere that you’d want to travel to.
“I’ve experienced all the different attractions locally and it’s an amazing country. In this area, we’ve got a lot to offer people visiting.
“I miss my family. I miss my friends, but I don’t really miss the lifestyle. Here in New Zealand, and especially bringing up children, it’s an amazing lifestyle in comparison.”
Harriet took on the Te Awamutu i-Site job just before Christmas and is enjoying her involvement.
“I’m keen to work in my community. It was something that I was looking for in my next step.”
Thieves broke into the i-Site building and stole souvenirs and a Bee card (bus card) reader. Photo: Jesse Wood
Thieves broke into the building and stole souvenirs and a Bee card (bus card) reader, resulting in a two-day closure.
“There was a little bit of a setback with the break. It’s disappointing as a not-for-profit to experience something like that.
“At the end of the day, it’s the money that we’re using to open the place and serve our community that we’ve lost. That has an effect on everybody.”
The I-Site crew help people with anything from ferry bookings to maps, ticket purchases, souvenirs, Bee cards top-ups and bookings for the Burchell Pavilion space.
“Volunteers are so valuable to the organisation. We couldn’t keep the doors open without them,” Dixon said.
Te Awamutu i-Site
“Some people give a couple of hours just sitting here and talking to people when they come through the door, while others learn skills to go on to paid work.”
She has a passion for health, well-being and supporting communities.
“I managed Cambridge Community House for three years and that gave me a good insight into social services and communities.
“This job popped up and it was great timing for me. It’s about supporting the community but also bringing people to the area which is really important.”
She said the Te Awamutu Rose Gardens are a great draw card.
“As a town there’s things that we could promote more. That’s going to be one of my priorities.”
She encourages the community to support the people who support them.
“If you come along and support us, we’ll be able to keep our doors open. We have information about places to visit, places to see, things to do in the community,” she said.
“It’s important for the businesses, and for everybody, that we have visitors coming to Te Awamutu.”
New Te Awamutu i-Site visitor information centre general manager Harriet Dixon. Photo: Jesse Wood
