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Created by the Public Governance Directorate

This website was created by the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), part of the OECD Public Governance Directorate (GOV).

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Residents of Wellington (NZ) can buy vouchers for future services

Innovative response

Indie Wellington is an online resource sharing details of cafes, shops, salons and other businesses which sell online or provide gift cards. The idea is for locals to show their support financially by purchasing a gift card from the business, which they can use in future once the crisis settles down.

Local, independent businesses in Wellington can be listed on the website for free, and Bolton, the hotel who set up the site, isn't taking any commission from the sales. Some of the shops already listed include Craft Beer Tours NZ, Tea Pea, Aura Skin Wellness, Hillside Kitchen & Cellar and Wilson Trollope.

Specific issues addressed and anticipated impact

The Bolton Hotel, who are coordinating the scheme, have said that businesses have seen upcoming bookings reduced by up to 80 per cent.

They hope that through the site, a boost in voucher sales will help provide our small and independent businesses with the cash flow they need to get through this current crisis as customers begin to self-isolate.

Organisations/institutions involved

Bolton Hotel

Level(s) of government:
  • Private Sector
  • Non-Profit/Civil Society

Issues being addressed:

  • Crowdsourcing solutions
  • Social effects of the crisis

Date Submitted:

15 April 2020