The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is spending $3.7 million into helping young people into jobs and supporting economic growth in Gore.

Today’s announcements by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones include a $1.6 million expenditure towards the Maruawai precinct project, which involves the redevelopment of the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and creation of the Maruawai Heritage Centre.

"We’ve also approved $2.1 million for the Hokonui Huanui programme to provide wrap-around support services for children and rangatahi," Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones said the investment in the Maruawai precinct project would lure more visitors to Gore as they travelled around the lower South Island to places such as Queenstown and Dunedin. The Hokonui Huanui project would help to change the lives of rangatahi who were at risk of long-term unemployment.

“When I was in Gore a year ago I laid down the challenge for the community to come together and put forward their most promising proposals to the Provincial Growth Fund. The investments made today are an example of the community working with us to progress their priorities.

“We are proud to support these two projects which will create a solid foundation for future growth in the Gore district,” Mr Jones said.

Gore District mayor Tracy Hicks applauded today's announcement.

“It’s the right investment, at the right time, in the right place.”

Mr Hicks paid tribute to the partnerships that have been created and the commitment locally to getting these projects to this stage.

“It is also great to have a Government supportive of developing communities like the Gore District to become centres of attraction and excellence for the future,” he said. 

Arts and Heritage curator Jim Geddes said the heritage precinct funding would enable the revitalisation of existing facilities and put Gore firmly on the map as a visitor destination. 

Stage one will see the redevelopment of the Hokonui Moonshine Museum and establishment of a boutique distillery producing Hokonui to provide a truly immersive experience.

“This is a golden opportunity to tell a unique Southland story really well. When we undertook the initial project in the late 1990’s we had to bring in display and merchandise specialists from other parts of the country," he said.

“Now we have excellent local expertise on hand to refresh every aspect of our operation, and they are all eager to get their teeth into it.”

The development of the Maruawai Centre (stage two) in an adjacent building is the culmination of a 12-year research partnership between the Gore District Historical Society, Hokonui Runanga and the Council’s arts and heritage team.

“It will present a rich tapestry of local stories and give visitors an in-depth understanding of the place we live in – Maruawai, Valley of Water.”

Some of the District’s nationally known attributes such as Sgt Dan the Creamota Man and the brown trout fishery will also be celebrated in tandem with an expanded visitor centre.