ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY. Actions to improve Economic and Social Wellbeing

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1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY Actions to improve Economic and Social Wellbeing

2 PURPOSE The purpose of our Economic Development agency is to improve Economic and Social wellbeing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. In pursuing this purpose we will note there are significant economic disparities across the Bay of Plenty, with high rates of economic and social deprivation in the Eastern sub-region in particular. Improving this situation will require a higher than normal level of intervention across a range of economic, business and social development initiatives and a high level of commitment and collaboration between local, regional and central agencies. The consequence of achieving this purpose is that the quality of life in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will lift for all those participating in our community. BACKGROUND Central Government, through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment released a Regional Growth study for the Bay of Plenty Region in The study identified a number of sector opportunities that they believed have the potential to sustainably grow jobs and incomes in the Bay of Plenty Region. We agree and will work with Central Government, Local Government Agencies and sectors to accelerate actions that will enable the growth that the study anticipates. It is worth noting that the Growth Study 1

3 included and reflected existing Bay of Connections sector strategies and actions that provide a framework for implementation. PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT We have limited resources so we must learn to prioritise. The risk of attempting to be the panacea for growth in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is that we will only achieve a minor influence over a broad range of initiatives. We will identify projects that are consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy and those that are prioritised by our partners. Partnership Our funding partners are the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau district Councils plus the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Their leadership, policy and resource support is critical to our delivery of economic development initiatives and the link between council infrastructures underpins economic development in crucial and often overlooked ways. Relationships 2

4 In order to be objective and deliver the right outputs we need to communicate with Central Government through our Partners, the Bay of Connections, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. We will work with Maori, Iwi, Hapu, the Chamber of Commerce, Grow Whakatāne, Industrial Symbiosis Kawerau, Ōpōtiki Marine Advisory Group and others to ensure we are taking actions that accelerate economic growth and development for our region. Collaborate Economic development is oblivious of electoral boundaries and much of the benefit we deliver locally will be shared regionally. Acknowledging the people, skills and resources of our partners and those we have relationships with, will provide for the efficient delivery of what we are charged to do and collectively allow these partners to be champions for the initiatives we pursue. Cross boundary collaboration should be fundamental to our success. Regionally we need to be driven by the Growth Action Plan and use it as our guide for the sector initiatives we pursue. Sub regionally we know which sectors we will best deliver on and cross regionally we need to be aware how we can best leverage off each other for the benefit of those who live, work and play here. Effective collaboration, especially with constrained resources, will require a high level of engagement and interaction with our partners and key stakeholders. 3

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6 WHAT WE MIGHT LOOK LIKE We are action focussed. We will review resourcing from a people perspective and where we operate from when taking into account partnerships, relationships and collaboration. We acknowledge that our funding sources are most likely to be Local Government, Central Government, philanthropic organisations and the private sector. Importantly we need to reflect the private sector, not be a business but be business like in what we do. Ultimately working with our partners, along with agencies like the Chamber of Commerce and sector drivers from a shared location, will make us more efficient in the use of available resources. Long term our objective will be to build business, political and community support for economic development and develop a better understanding of the consequences of what we do. Often our impact will be considerable but invisible. 5

7 WHAT WE WILL DO Our Priorities are: Forestry Horticulture Visitor economy Geothermal Aquaculture They are consistent with Central Government Economic agenda and that of our region. Supporting our priorities are enablers: Education and Skills Maori Land optimisation Water Technology Some of these enablers we are already active with and have current projects attached to them. Others have potential and we will identify projects as funding allows or partners prioritise. 6

8 ENABLERS IN ACTION Education and Skills A regional review is underway to better identify skill shortages in sectors including agriculture, horticulture, forestry, marine and manufacturing. Toi EDA representation on the Tertiary Intentions Strategy - Key TIS objectives include increasing tertiary education participation and attainment in the region, particularly for Māori; developing a highly educated and skilled workforce that is aligned to regional needs and competitive advantages, and; facilitating research for sector development and innovation to help support overall economic growth and community development. Ultimately the strategy is about enabling local people to be trained for local jobs, and enables the framework and connections required to make this a reality. The Toi-EDA Workforce Planning / Ōpōtiki Pathways to Work projects are current examples of the Tertiary strategy in action. Under the new structure the strengthening of Young Enterprise in Secondary Schools will be undertaken. Opportunity to replicate projects across the region. Engagement with multiple agencies & obtain additional funding through Charitable Trust status. 7

9 Water Water will be promoted as an enabler for agriculture; horticulture. Work with Whakatāne District Council to ensure the water bottling projects succeed. Work with the region to identify new opportunities as a consequence of having available a fresh water supply. Technology Work with all Councils and Central Government to ensure the Technology platform we have is seen as an attractor for new industry and an advantage for existing business. Ensure all emergency providers use the same or integrated platforms. Maori Land optimisation Respecting that land use is the primary business of the landowner(s). Support Iwi organisations and willing landowners in their aspirations to realise the economic potential of their land. 8

10 PRIORITIES Forestry The Bay of Connections Forestry and Wood action group is the main lead for our region and we will leverage off their actions. We support Industrial Symbiosis Kawerau and its industry-led focus on higher value wood uses, energy and logistics. Neighbouring regions have made good progress on actions such as Engineered Wood products and we will collaborate with them to ensure we capture local opportunity. Note education as an enabler. Agriculture and Horticulture The Regional Growth study identified industry visions and the opportunities for expansion of kiwifruit and other high value crops. Following the success of the Ōpōtiki land utilisation studies and implementation, we are promoting similar work in the Whakatāne district and intend identifying projects and seeking funding from Central Government. We are supporting the aspirations and actions of the Omaio hapu-led high value land development projects. 9

11 Manuka honey, oil and other derivatives are high value opportunities well suited to much of the Eastern Bay topography and land use. Aquaculture The BOC Regional Aquaculture Organisation has the lead on developing a new $250 million industry and we will collaborate and champion as required. The Ōpōtiki sea farm and harbour development is the primary implementation of the strategy and Toi- EDA will continue to support Ōpōtiki District Council in its leadership role. Geothermal Kawerau and Taupo feature NZ s premium high temperature industrial geothermal resources and we support ISK in its aspirations for clean energy technology implementation. Rotorua is also doing some good work in this field and we will seek out opportunities to leverage. We will work with Bay of Connections and their energy strategy. Visitor Economy There is general agreement that currently the sector is fragmented within the Eastern Bay. Given that the visitor economy is of such significance in the region there is a need for a collaborative project supported by all Councils and led by Whakatāne to: 10

12 Determine a strategy for the Eastern Bay Build the narrative Understand what is missing Understand the infrastructure for connectedness air - road sea Put in place a structure to respond A current regional Growth study action is to work with sub-regions to help develop local priorities where appropriate. Business Attraction and Development The consequence of all we do will have an impact of the Eastern Bay being an attractive place to live work and play. The steps we need to take will look much the same as for the visitor economy: Determine a strategy for the Eastern Bay Build the narrative Understand what is missing Put in place a structure to respond 11