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For immediate release
Kawerau Pathways to Prosperity
The launch of Kawerau Pathways to Prosperity, a locally focused economic development strategy, took place last week with 60-plus people from industry, businesses, schools and the social sector attending.
A mihi whakatau by Council Iwi Liaison and Cultural Advisor Te Haukakawa Te Rire opened the event at Firmin Lodge in Kawerau, followed by welcomes from Deputy Mayor Sela Kingi, Councillor Berice Julian and Chief Executive Morgan Godfery.
Guest speakers from Ngati Tuwharetoa mai Kawerau ki te Tai Robbie Watt and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise chief executive Peter Chrisp provided local, national and global insights and inspiration that the district has the attributes for a prosperous future.
Ngati Tuwharetoa Geothermal Assets chief executive Robbie Watt said Kawerau has the perfect environment for major investment and pledged the Iwi-owned organisation would support and enable development.
“We’re trying to become brand ambassadors for Kawerau. If you look around New Zealand at what you need for investment to come in – you'll see that it requires energy, connection to export markets, enabling councils and people who understand industry – Kawerau has all those things.
“For Tuwharetoa Geothermal, we see ourselves as the backbone or spine of Kawerau – represented by what we do, which is drill wells, build pipelines and utilise the geothermal resource. Part of the flesh on all those things is the Putauaki Industrial Estate, which will hopefully be built out over time. Trying to find better ways of utilising the Norske Skog assets now owned by Oji Fibre Solutions and looking forward for potentially other things like data centres to utilise that area. Some people may look and say it is a great consumer of energy, and doesn’t bring many jobs, but it does bring people to Kawerau with billions of dollars of investment. For Tuwharetoa we are taking the view of how we enable, we are happy to see others prosper.
“Many will have seen the visual changes coming into Kawerau as we’ve taken over the Spencer Avenue land block off Tamarangi Drive which has been subdivided, working with Council, and will be a new set of allotments going in there, small close to town and available. Another example of what we’ve been doing is working with Essity to convert their machines from gas to geothermal which keeps their industry in Kawerau.
Another highlight was guest speaker Peter Chrisp, who is well-known to many in industry having lived in Kawerau from 1992 to 2006 during his tenure with the former Tasman Pulp and Paper, and as Norske Skog Tasman manager.
Peter’s message was clear, Kawerau is a great place for investment and one that has for many years shown resilience to change and the geographic location and attributes, and the people resources to prosper.
Peter Chrisp applauded the Regional Economic Development Strategy as a great pathway to prosperity for the district noting that “Having a plan means you’re already halfway there to completion.” Additionally, attendees were advised of the Eastern Bay Spatial Plan, a 30-year strategy developed and adopted by the three councils and the BOP Regional Council.
His ties and enthusiasm for the district and the people was evident, as he recalled his role as the former Norske Skog Mill Manager being one of encouraging growth and opportunity, similar to this role now for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Peter outlined that the key strands included investing in the workforce, increasing productivity and utilising the opportunities of green economy. He also delivered an overview of the trends, challenges and opportunities in New Zealand.
He also reconnected with former colleagues and employees, including the special link to Deputy Mayor Kingi who formerly taught one of his daughters when the family lived in Kawerau the place they still call “home”.
The event was organised by Council’s economic development steering group. The next step is calling for representatives from industry and the community to partner with Council to develop a Kawerau Economic Development strategy and action plan.
Deputy Mayor Sela Kingi encouraged attendees saying, “A local economic development strategy is something we all hope you will be part of. Council is nothing without the community, and the community cannot exist without sustainable jobs and wages that make everything else possible.
“With that whanau, looking to your left and right, and behind, remember that offer to come together to develop a localised economic strategic plan.”
Those interested can contact Council on 073069009 or via info@kaweraudc.govt.nz with their contact details.
Sidebar:
Copies of the Eastern Bay Spatial Plan and the Regional Economic Development Strategy are available online from the each of the three Eastern Bay Councils or at their offices.
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For more information, please contact Tania Humberstone, Kawerau District Council’s communications and engagement manager on 0274643785.