The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing over $2 million in two tourism initiatives which will further enhance
Whangarei as a tourist destination and support the region’s economic growth, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced
today.
“Tourism is set to continue to grow in Whangarei and it’s crucial that we invest to improve the infrastructure and
encourage initiatives that cater to tourists,” Kelvin Davis said.
“The projects announced today are supported by the local community and add to the mix of existing and planned
attractions in Whangarei.
“The PGF will invest $1.3 million towards the completion of a feasibility study and business case for the development of
the Riverside Hotel and Entertainment Precinct. If the project goes ahead, it’s estimated that it will create upwards of
100 jobs and inject $7.75 million into the Whangarei economy each year.
“Funding of $750,000 will help build a full scale version of an operational rolling ball clock promoting Clapham’s
National Clock Museum in Whangarei. A prototype built by local volunteers gained interest as a potential cultural and
educational tourist attraction.
“Our regions are a big tourism drawcard and we want them to thrive as much as our cities. Through smart investments, the
PGF can help grow a more sustainable and high value tourism industry, while creating jobs and more opportunities,”
Kelvin Davis said.
With today’s announcement the Provincial Growth Fund is set to invest over $101 million to support New Zealand’s tourism
sector.
Today’s Whangarei tourism investments:
ProjectDescriptionAmountRiverside hotel and entertainment precinctDevelop business case for the Riverside Hotel and Entertainment Precinct being developed$1.3mWhangarei Rolling Ball ClockBuild a full scale version of an operational rolling ball clock promoting Whangarei’s Clapham’s National Clock Museum$750,000 Total$2.05m
Northland Provincial Growth Fund announcements to date:
ProjectDescriptionAmountTe Mingi Barge FeasibilityInvestigating building and operating a barge site at Te Mingi for transporting logs to the Whangarei port.$257,000ANT – Developing ProjectsCapability support for 12 months to scope three key development projects$250,000Te Hiku Water SolutionsInvestigate a water storage scheme to support local high value horticultural production.$99,500Ngāti Rehia Kauri SanctuaryOpportunity for research and control of kauri dieback in a contained plantation environment, with training and education
opportunities.$288,000Ngāti Rangi Manuka and Kanuka oil distilleryDevelopment of a business ecosystem based on extraction of the essential oils of manuka and kanuka.Up to
$70,000Ngati Hine Forestry Trust Joint VentureTe Uru Rākau and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust to plant and manage 3,600ha of pine trees.$6mNgati Hine Manuka Planting Training ProgrammeA mānuka plantation and training/work experience programme for 40 trainees over two years.$1.89mOpua WharfConstruction of a new concrete pontoon, 111 metres long and 4 metres wide at Opua Wharf.$0.89mPaihia WharfExtend, upgrade, maintain and operate the Paihia Wharf.$3.77mRussell WharfUpgrade to Russell Wharf including floating concrete pontoons, dinghy dock and a wharf extension.$1.114mKawakawa Tourism HubDevelop Te Hononga Interpretive Centre, a cultural tourism hub facility in Kawakawa$2.378mWaipapa Intersection ImprovementSafety improvements to intersection at Waipapa$9mTotara Industry Proposal - pilotA two-year pilot to test the validity of establishing an indigenous tōtara wood industry in Northland.$0.45mHihiaua Stage OneInitial stage of a wider plan to develop the Hihiaua Peninsula into a contemporary Maori precinct. $1.075mManea Footprints of KupeEstablish an interactive Cultural Heritage Tourism and Education Centre in Opononi, Hokianga.$4.6mBay of Islands Airport Terminal UpgradeConstruction of new terminal building for BOI Airport.$1.75mMarine travel liftPurchase and installation of a marine travel lift in Whangarei to assist boat-building and refitting services.$4.84m Waitangi Mountain Bike ParkConstruction and delivery of the final stage of WMBP including bike trails and jumps and associated infrastructure.$0.49m Pouto Road Phase 1Extending the sealed portion of Pouto Road$5.05mKaipara Moana (Wharves analysis and implementation)Investigating wharves and water transport in the Kaipara harbour, including $4.0m for implementation$4.95mRoad re-metallingImproving quality of existing roads$3.15mPouto Road Phases 2Complete sealing to Pouto Point$3.13mWaipoua River RoadImproving safety and access$1.6mProgramme SupportAdditional resource to assist Kaipara District Council to deliver the investment programme.$1.3mKaipara KaiDevelop a potential 50,000 hectares of fertile land into a sustainable horticultural area$0.98m50MAX HPMV (High productivity motor vehicle) networkUpgrade bridge and road network allowing access for larger, more efficient trucks$0.23mMaori Battalion MuseumEstablishing a museum to honour the 28th Māori Battalion on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds$14.5mKai iwi Lakes ProjectConstruction of visitor facilities at Taharoa Domain, Lake Waikare.$90,500The restoration of Lake Omapere initial feasibility studyDevelop a strategy to determine the viability of raising the water level of Lake Omapere on the outskirts of Kaikohe.$59,000Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs Redevelopment and enhancementFeasibility work for an upgrade of facilities and access at Ngawha Springs, near Kaikohe. $260,000Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan Portfolio ManagementAdditional resources to progress PGF applications and economic action plan objectives.$200,000Ohaeawai Visitors CentrePreliminary work to develop an Indigenous visitor experience near Kaikohe.$100,000 Total:$99.1m
ends