I've worked as a DJ in Palmerston North's inner city and have seen first-hand how much our nightlife has changed.

There was a time when Palmy's CBD genuinely thrived after dark. All bars and clubs were busy, DJs and musicians had regular work, security staff were needed, hospitality workers had shifts, taxis moved people around the city, and our nightlife gave people a reason to come into town.

Over time, that has changed.

As nightlife has declined, we haven't just lost places to go in the weekends. We've lost jobs, shifts, opportunities for performers and DJs, income for hospitality businesses and activity from our CBD.

I've watched that decline from inside the industry.

But I also believe Palmerston North now has an incredible opportunity.

Nightlife in some of New Zealand's larger centres, including Wellington and Auckland, is facing its own challenges. Rather than following that decline, Palmerston North has the opportunity to take a completely different direction and become New Zealand's leading regional nightlife city.

And this isn't simply about letting people drink later.

It's about bringing life back to the CBD through live music, DJs, concerts, restaurants, late-night food, events, entertainment and experiences. It's about creating jobs again. It's about supporting our hospitality and creative industries. And it's about better transport, security, lighting and planning so people can enjoy the city safely.

Palmerston North has previously experienced 2am closing arrangements, with concerns raised about large numbers of people leaving venues at the same time, pressure on late-night transport and safety in the CBD. Restricting nightlife alone isn't a strategy for improving it.

We need to start asking a bigger question:

What if Palmerston North became the city that got nightlife right?

We're calling on Palmerston North City Council to work alongside hospitality operators, DJs and musicians, event organisers, Police, transport providers, students and the wider community to develop a genuine Palmerston North Night-Time Economy Strategy.

A strategy focused on both vibrancy and safety.

We have the opportunity to create jobs, support local businesses, attract events and visitors, give young people more reasons to stay in Palmerston North and build a CBD that people actually want to experience after dark.

I've seen what Palmy nightlife used to be.

I believe it can be even better.

I want the nightlife to be heard, I want a plan in place that will quickly bring this dying city back to life.