The future of the Far North is looking brighter with Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investments in key community-led
projects across the district, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today.
“There’s a lot of work being done in Tai Tokerau to drive economic growth and help improve the lives of local people.
This Government believes every New Zealander, no matter where they live, should share in a growing and prosperous
economy,” Kelvin Davis said.
“We know the Far North District faces a range of complex challenges including high unemployment, an underutilised labour
force, and comparatively lower GDP than other districts, but we won’t rest on our laurels as we turn around the fortunes
of the regions.”
Among today’s investments is $4.6 million for Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi Busby’s Kupe Waka Centre, to be built in
Aurere at the southern end of Doubtless Bay.
“Sir Hek is truly an icon of the Far North. The Kupe Waka Centre will see his knowledge preserved and also bring people
from both New Zealand and overseas to this incredible part of our country.”
The PGF is also investing $3 million in a much needed multi-use sports centre in Kaitaia.
“Participation in sport and fitness is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving the wellbeing of
individuals, whānau and wider communities. This facility will create jobs, attract people to live here and help retain
workers, young people and athletes in Kaitaia.”
The investment package also includes support for three iwi (Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu and
Te Rarawa) to make progress on major projects, funding for preliminary investigations of a water storage project for the
area and exploring the potential for a barge at Te Mingi to transport logs to Whangarei.
“Taken together, the announcements made today reaffirm our determination to unlock the full economic potential of the
Far North. It’s also an example of the PGF bringing agencies together from across Government to make a difference for
people on the ground.
“We understand that supporting thriving and sustainable regions requires a holistic approach, ensuring our towns are
attractive places for whānau to live, work and play.
“By supporting projects that look to the future, today’s investment will bring new people to the region and keep them
here by creating new jobs and opportunities close to home,” Kelvin Davis said.
Media contact: Robert Johnson – 021 865 497
robert.johnson@parliament.govt.nz
Today’s Northland investments:
Project
Description
Amount
Kupe Waka
Development of the Kupe Waka Centre, including completion of planning works and construction.
$4.6m
Te Hiku Sports Hub
Construction of a multi-use Sports Hub in Kaitaia.
$3.0m
Te Mingi Barge Feasibility
Investigating building and operating a barge site at Te Mingi for transporting logs to the Whangarei port.
$257,000
ANT – Developing Projects
Capability support for 12 months to scope three key development projects
$250,000
Te Hiku Water Solutions
Investigate a water storage scheme to support local high value horticultural production.
$99,500
Total:
$8.2m
Northland Provincial Growth Fund announcements to date:
Project
Description
Amount
Business Case Development – Northland Rail Upgrade
Exploring upgrade of the North Auckland (rail) Line (NAL), running from Auckland to Otiria in the Far North.
$500,000
Twin Coast Discovery Route
Support for the next step in the Twin Coast Discovery Route (TCDR) programme, delivering transport improvements across
Northland.
Up to $6.25m
Hundertwasser Arts Centre
Construction of the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Maori Art Gallery.
$9.94m
Ngāti Rehia Kauri Sanctuary
Opportunity for research and control of kauri dieback in a contained plantation environment, with training and education
opportunities.
$288,000
Ngāti Rangi Manuka and Kanuka oil distillery
Development of a business ecosystem based on extraction of the essential oils of manuka and kanuka.
Up to
$70,000
Ngati Hine Forestry Trust Joint Venture
Te Uru Rākau and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust to plant and manage 3,600ha of pine trees.
$6m
Ngati Hine Manuka Planting Training Programme
A mānuka plantation and training/work experience programme for 40 trainees over two years.
$1.89m
Opua Wharf
Construction of a new concrete pontoon, 111 metres long and 4 metres wide at Opua Wharf.
$0.89m
Paihia Wharf
Extend, upgrade, maintain and operate the Paihia Wharf.
$3.77m
Russell Wharf
Upgrade to Russell Wharf including floating concrete pontoons, dinghy dock and a wharf extension.
$1.114m
Kawakawa Tourism Hub
Develop Te Hononga Interpretive Centre, a cultural tourism hub facility in Kawakawa
$2.378m
Waipapa Intersection Improvement
Safety improvements to intersection at Waipapa
$9m
Totara Industry Proposal - pilot
A two-year pilot to test the validity of establishing an indigenous tōtara wood industry in Northland.
$0.45m
Hihiaua Stage One
Initial stage of a wider plan to develop the Hihiaua Peninsula into a contemporary Maori precinct.
$1.075m
Manea Footprints of Kupe
Establish an interactive Cultural Heritage Tourism and Education Centre in Opononi, Hokianga.
$4.6m
Bay of Islands Airport Terminal Upgrade
Construction of new terminal building for BOI Airport.
$1.75m
Marine travel lift
Purchase and installation of a marine travel lift in Whangarei to assist boat-building and refitting services.
$4.84m
Waitangi Mountain Bike Park
Construction and delivery of the final stage of WMBP including bike trails and jumps and associated infrastructure.
$0.49m
Pouto Road Phase 1
Extending the sealed portion of Pouto Road
$5.05m
Kaipara Moana (Wharves analysis and implementation)
Investigating wharves and water transport in the Kaipara harbour, including $4.0m for implementation
$4.95m
Road re-metalling
Improving quality of existing roads
$3.15m
Pouto Road Phases 2
Complete sealing to Pouto Point
$3.13m
Waipoua River Road
Improving safety and access
$1.6m
Programme Support
Additional resource to assist Kaipara District Council to deliver the investment programme.
$1.3m
Kaipara Kai
Develop a potential 50,000 hectares of fertile land into a sustainable horticultural area
$0.98m
50MAX HPMV (High productivity motor vehicle) network
Upgrade bridge and road network allowing access for larger, more efficient trucks
$0.23m
Maori Battalion Museum
Establishing a museum to honour the 28th Māori Battalion on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
$14.5m
Kai iwi Lakes Project
Construction of visitor facilities at Taharoa Domain, Lake Waikare.
$90,500
The restoration of Lake Omapere initial feasibility study
Develop a strategy to determine the viability of raising the water level of Lake Omapere on the outskirts of Kaikohe.
$59,000
Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs Redevelopment and enhancement
Feasibility work for an upgrade of facilities and access at Ngawha Springs, near Kaikohe.
$260,000
Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan Portfolio Management
Additional resources to progress PGF applications and economic action plan objectives.
$200,000
Ohaeawai Visitors Centre
Preliminary work to develop an Indigenous visitor experience near Kaikohe.
$100,000
Total:
$90.9m
ends