22 July 2002
Hon Jim Anderton
Speech Notes
Industry New Zealand Grant Announcement: Thames Valley Region
Hauraki District Council
Tuesday 23 July 2002
3 pm
Paeroa
I’m pleased to launch the Thames Valley Region’s Economic Development Strategy, which you completed in May of this year.
The Strategy has brought together information about the region which has never before been available in one document.
It is an important step towards creating an environment for building regional capability, creating jobs and achieving
sustainable economic growth.
When I first became Minister for Economic, Regional and Industry Development, not one region had an Economic Development
Strategy.
Now, only two and a half years later, every single region in New Zealand has a viable progressive and constructive plan
in place.
The regions are learning to build on their own unique strengths instead of trying to lure companies from other
regions--a zero sum gain at best.
This is new economy thinking, where each region focuses on what it can do best. As a result of strong regional growth,
we are experiencing strong national gains.
Congratulations on having worked together in a partnership that includes all three District Councils, members of the
business community, and Maori representatives.
Participation and submissions came from community groups in all parts of the region.
This is exactly the kind of partnership that the Ministry for Economic Development and Industry New Zealand want to
encourage.
The Hauraki region has already developed successful partnerships within your English for Speakers of Other Languages
pilot project.
This project will bring Chinese students into local schools for a linguistic and tourism experience. With ten colleges
planning to participate it is a credit to the energy and enthusiasm of those involved.
The project has also developed from business links between the Thames Valley region and Jianlibao Corporation, which
operates a plant in Paeroa, and exports aerated beverages.
The aim of the project is to set up the basis for further expansion into export education. This has become an important
contributor to the New Zealand economy, and Thames Valley can offer beautiful countryside, a strong heritage, and a
heartland experience.
This project shows a real commitment to building sustainable partnerships that will offer economic and social
opportunities for the Thames Valley region.
I’m pleased to be able to announce further funding to help expand your Economic Development Strategy.
The next stage is to confirm which projects will be adopted by the partnership to build on the Economic Development
Strategy you have prepared.
Industry New Zealand has granted $30,000 for an Economic Development Action Plan, to scope the projects the region will
implement in the medium term.
These will go through a joint planning and prioritisation process, and will set the stage for building on the region's
strategic advantages.
New proposals will be assessed to see which will have the most positive economic impact, and a medium term plan will be
adopted
I wish you great success and look forward to seeing your strategy being implemented and helping to bring progress and
prosperity to your region.