Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC) has officially launched the North Canterbury region’s first food and beverage provenance brand.
MADE NORTH CANTERBURY was launched this month with the release of its new website: madenorthcanterbury.co.nz
MADE NORTH CANTERBURY branded wine gift box
The brand, which has been in development since late 2020, was created after a study found North Canterbury food and beverage producers wanted a unifying brand that would offer them opportunities in marketing, promotion and collaboration.
ENC Food & Beverage Business Development Manager Alissa Wilson says input so far from local producers has been fantastic. “We’ve had so much interest from our local food and beverage producers wanting to get involved with this initiative,” says Wilson.
“We already have over 40 members signed up and we’re seeing a lot of connection already happening between them. We’re working hard to foster those connections and help promote our members and their offerings as well as share opportunities for them to expand into new markets.”
The aim of the website is to showcase North Canterbury as a premium food and beverage destination to visitors, producers and investors. Website users can browse local food and beverage producers, find out about North Canterbury’s food and beverage history, which was written in conjunction with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Mataporpore, and discover upcoming food and beverage events in the region. MADE NORTH CANTERBURY members will also use the website as a B2B portal where they can log in to access resources, information and connections.
In addition to the website and social media channels, the MADE NORTH CANTERBURY brand can be seen on display at numerous eateries and retailers throughout North Canterbury. This includes new ‘shelf talkers’ in Rangiora New World and Rangiora PAK’n SAVE supermarkets, which highlight products that are made in North Canterbury, making it easier for consumers to buy locally made items.
In December 2020 the first MADE NORTH CANTERBURY Christmas hampers were snapped up by local consumers. This was the first of many initiatives generated by MADE NORTH CANTERBURY to highlight the region and its producers. Future initiatives include a ‘Makers’ Market’ at the upcoming North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival on March 7th, and a tourism incubator workshop with Visit Waimakariri and ChristchurchNZ focused on the development of new food tourism experiences culminating in a MADE NORTH CANTERBURY makers’ trail.
“The development of this brand is very exciting for both producers and consumers,” says Wilson.
“We are thrilled with the support and interest we’ve had from everyone so far, particularly our generous sponsors Sidekick Rangiora and Meridian Energy. With their help we will be able to continue this momentum and further promote and grow our amazing, productive region.”
MADE NORTH CANTERBURY is an initiative of Enterprise North Canterbury – the local economic development agency for the Waimakariri and Hurunui District Councils. MADE NORTH CANTERBURY is funded through ENC and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Provincial Growth Fund as well as sponsors Sidekick Rangiora and Meridian Energy, and contra sponsors Croft Print, The Mark and Leading Label.
For more information or to sign up as a member visit www.madenorthcanterbury.co.nz
or email alissa@enterprisenc.co.nz.
