Making J’ville Vibrant and Exciting
- Frank Neill
- Nov 12, 2023
- 2 min read
By Frank Neill
Developing plans to make Johnsonville “vibrant and exciting” are firmly in the sights of Mike Helleur, the new Business Improvement Manager for the suburb.
Mike has just been appointed to the role by the recently established Johnsonville Business Improvement District.
“I want to work with the business community and the community at large on something that is positive and visual,” Mike says.
“The opportunity is to make the main street more appealing, vibrant and welcome, starting with Johnsonville Road.
“If we start with something simple like the main road, other things will happen.
“If the mall redevelopment happens that would be a bonus, but we need to lead rather than wait.
“I want to make something happen and work with the community to make it happen, and look for funding to support it from all quarters.” he says.
Mike is also keen to create a green space in central Johnsonville.
“If we find a building to take down to make a park, that’s where we will need some major
funding,” he notes.
Mike decided to aply for the role of Johnsonville’s Business Improvement Manager because “I really wanted to give something back to the community ... and to do something for Johnsonville.”
That motivation traces its roots into a near fatal accident Mike suffered.
On 14 March he broke his neck body surfing.
“I am very very lucky to be alive and certaily not paralysed,” he says.
“For four months I was in a full neck and body brace.”
Mike was fortunate, however, and has made an excellent recovery.
While looking for a way to give back to the community, Mike came across the Johnsonville
Business Improvement Manager opportunity.
“This was an opportunity to help Johnsonville, which I believe has been left and forgotten due to people waiting for the mall to be developed.”
Mike comes to the role with significant management and consulting experience.
That includes being General Manager of the “Manawatu Standard” and of Property Brokers.
In fact during his time at Property Brokers the business doubled.
During that time he was also heavily involved in community work and also in the redevelopment of the Square in Palmerston North.
He has served as Chief Executive Officer of Hikoikoi Management, which oversees the Wellington Tenths Trust and the Palmerston North Māori Reserve Trust.
Mike has also a connection with Johnsonville as the Chief Executive Ofiicer of three Quinovic
franchises, two of which were based in Johnsonville.
He then moved to Quinovic’s head office and following that has been involved in consultancy
work.
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