In a significant boost to the forestry heartland of New Zealand's North Island, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has inaugurated two key infrastructure projects in the Bay of Plenty region. The developments, centered in the towns of Kaingaroa and Kawerau, mark a new chapter in the revitalization of these forestry-dependent communities, promising enhanced economic growth and improved quality of life for residents.
The first of these transformative projects is the new Kaingaroa community center, which stands as the crowning achievement of the $11.1 million Kaingaroa Community Development Project. This initiative, backed by $7.2 million in regional development funding, also received substantial co-investment from various government agencies and local businesses. The community center is set to become a hub of activity, housing a medical center complete with dedicated spaces for kaumātua and rangatahi, as well as meeting and training rooms. Notably, the center includes a digital hub, addressing the critical need for improved internet access and connectivity in the community.
Minister Jones emphasized the significance of this development for Kaingaroa, a village that has long grappled with inadequate infrastructure due to decades of underfunding. The project not only addresses these longstanding issues but also created 306 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase, many of which were filled by local residents. He Ira Kāhui Anamata Trust, a Māori-owned business, took on the role of main contractor for the community center, further strengthening the project's ties to the local community.
In Kawerau, Minister Jones inaugurated the Kawerau Off-Highway Road, a 1.6-kilometer stretch connecting the Kawerau Industrial Park to a private forestry road. This project, supported by $1.62 million from the Provincial Growth Fund and $785,000 from Kawerau-based Sequal Lumber, aims to streamline industrial operations in the region. By diverting heavy trucks away from local roads, the new route enhances safety for residents while improving connectivity between the Putauaki Industrial Park and a planned container rail terminal.
The Kawerau Off-Highway Road is part of the broader Kawerau Putauaki Industrial Development package, which has received substantial government and private sector investment. This comprehensive initiative is designed to provide cost-effective infrastructure solutions for established industries in Kawerau while also attracting new businesses to the area. Minister Jones highlighted the collaborative nature of this project, which brought together Māori landowners, the Kawerau District Council, local businesses, and the community.
During his visit to the region, Minister Jones also participated in the launch of a refreshed regional economic development strategy developed by TOI EDA, the Economic Development Agency for Eastern Bay of Plenty. This strategic approach to regional development aligns with the government's vision for prioritizing investments that drive sustainable economic growth in New Zealand's regions.
The minister expressed hope that projects similar to those in Kaingaroa and Kawerau would receive funding through the newly launched Regional Infrastructure Fund, which began operations on July 1. This fund represents the government's ongoing commitment to supporting regional development initiatives that address critical infrastructure needs and stimulate economic activity in areas outside of major urban centers.
