The Waitaki Whitestone Geopark (WWG) Trust is pleased to kick off its Business & Community Ambassador Programme with over 15 organisations across the Waitaki District. The programme is designed for all organisations (profit & not-for-profit) who support the Waitaki Whitestone aspiring Geopark and are proud to be part of the concept.
Geopark Manager Lisa Heinz said, “We are so delighted and excited to have all these amazing organisations on-board as we launch our ambassador programme. On our journey to become New Zealand’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, it is a wonderful way to help local organisations to leverage off the Geopark brand and spread the Geopark message.”
The criteria to become an ambassador are simple: the organisation must be located within the WWG, comply with all laws and regulations relevant to its operations and commit to represent, support and communicate the Geopark’s values kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and whakaute. There are no costs involved to join the programme. Ambassadors receive a unique WWG Ambassador logo, an introduction video about the Geopark and are listed on the website as official ambassadors to start with.
The founding members of the Ambassador programme are:
Waitaki Museum & Archive
Forrester Gallery
Vanished World Centre
Steampunk HQ
The Old School Enfield
Pen-y-bryn Lodge
Bella Vista Oamaru
Kurow Museum
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Presence on Harbour
Rose’s General Store
Kowhai Bach & Cottage
Totara Estate & Clarks Mill
Waitaki District Libraries
High Country Salmon
River-T Estate Wines
Director of the Waitaki Museum & Archive and the Forrester Gallery Chloe Searle says “We are proud to be part of the Ambassador programme. We enjoy collaborating with the Geopark on exhibitions and events and this another way we can strengthen that relationship.”
The WWG Trust wishes to extend the invitation to all organisations within Waitaki to join the programme so together we can promote our special place, our local businesses, slow tourism, community education and resilience. For more information about the programme visit www.whitestonegeopark.nz/ambassadors or contact Lisa Heinz, Geopark Manager: info@whitestonegeopark.nz