City welcomes new residents

WARWICK SMITH/The Manawatu Standard

NEW ARRIVAL: Alexandre Pinel, of Alexandre Patisserie & Chocolaterie in Coleman Mall, moved to Palmerston North last year.

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Between 500 and 1000 people new to Palmerston North are expected at this Friday's official civic welcome, although chances are that Alexandre Pinel will not be there.

The welcome and business expo, to be held at Arena 3 on Friday afternoon, aims to inform those new to the city about what it has to offer. It is being organised by the Palmerston North City Council and the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Pinel, who moved to Palmerston North almost a year ago,owns and runs the Alexandre Patisserie and Chocolaterie on Coleman Mall.

He said he was unaware of the welcome and expo, but would most likely be working anyway – a typical day for Mr Pinel begins at 1am and does not really end. He grabs a few hours sleep in the morning and later at night.

"I haven't taken a day off since last year."

The patisserie opened in March last year, after Mr Pinel moved to Palmerston North from Wellington, as his partner's family were from the city and there would be no competition for his business. He is originally from France's Normandy province.

While he could not think of too many things he liked about Palmerston North apart from the lack of other French restaurants, he said there was less traffic than in Wellington.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said the welcome and expo gave people new to the city a chance to see what was on offer.

While the afternoon was targeting people who had been here a year or less, anyone who still felt new was welcome.

"It's always exciting to meet people that have made the choice to come and live here."

Every new ratepayer in the city had been sent invitations, he said.

Chamber of Commerce executive officer Holly Thompson said the expo was about making new residents feel special, rather than just being bombarded with information when they arrived.

More than 50 businesses would be promoting themselves at the expo – the first time they have had the opportunity to do so at a civic welcome.

The mayoral welcome for new residents begins at 2.30pm on Friday.

- © Fairfax NZ News