Fletcher Tabuteau
Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $3.78 million in Wairoa will create much needed economic stimulus and
jobs, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today.
PGF projects announced today include:
• $200,000 loan to Nuhaka Kiwifruit Holdings Ltd (operated by Pine Valley Orchard Ltd) to increase the productivity of
an existing horticulture infrastructure
• $2 million loan to Quality Roading and Services Wairoa Ltd (QRS) to construct an Operations Hub
• $1.58 million to carry out a range of renovations on 19 local marae
“The Nuhaka Kiwifruit Holdings project will be used to enable the construction of a large water reservoir that will
maximise the current water consent to allow the orchard to expand, and the covering of two existing areas of kiwiberries
with plastic tunnelhouse systems,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
“This will enable the expansion of operations immediately, with the creation of up to 12 new jobs.
“PGF support to Quality Roading and Services Wairoa Ltd for a new Operations Hub will enable QRS staff, currently housed
in several locations that are old and beyond their design life, to consolidate existing staff and accommodate future
staff numbers.
“This will involve up to eight construction staff, with anywhere from up to 30 sub-contracting staff on site for the
duration of the project.
“A previous $60,000 PGF grant allowed the company to assess the project’s viability with a number of industry partners, including Fulton Hogan and
Higgins, that may utilise the building and look into the establishment of a Training Facility there.
“A total of $70 million was earmarked in May for the renovation of marae, town halls, war memorials and Pasifika churches all over the country. The money was part
of about $600 million being refocused on projects with more immediate economic benefits as part of the COVID-19
recovery.
“Marae are important centres for Māori culture and identity, which helps locals strengthen their connection to each
other, while at the same time creating jobs for local tradies and contractors displaced by the economic impact of
Covid-19,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
“$1.58 million PGF support to carry out renovations on 19 marae in Wairoa will include landscaping, building repairs,
electrical wiring, plumbing, and painting work, and it is anticipated this will create 133 jobs.
“The projects announced today follow on from PGF investments announced for Wairoa in January, contributing to more jobs for locals and economic growth for this region,” Fletcher Tabuteau said