December 2009

Chairman's message

Kia ora

As we come to the end of 2009 it is timely to review the year and look ahead to next year. There is no doubt that as a region and as a country things are looking better than the same time last year.

The last twelve months have seen a roller-coaster ride for the economy of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. But we are officially out of recession and some sectors of the economy are showing cautious signs of recovery. 

Dairy prices are recovering despite record highs for the NZ dollar. Business optimism is up. Tourism numbers are improving, especially from Australia. All this is good news for the Eastern Bay of Plenty region’s major industries although the weather and a strong NZ dollar may make it more difficult at the farm gate.

There are still a lot of unknowns about whether the recovery is sustainable over the medium to long term. Recent news out of Dubai is troubling and could lead to a period of investor and market nervousness. However this may be a small hiccup on the road to recovery.

TOI’s focus for the next 12 months will be on identifying opportunities that arise out of the regional strategy. Key areas for the Eastern Bay of Plenty include:

  • Aquaculture; ensuring strong EBOP leadership of the recently announced BOP aquaculture strategy
  • Tourism; leveraging the opportunities that the new Rotorua - Sydney international flight will provide and the promotion of the national cycleway projects
  • Transport and logistics; progressing the development of a light industrial complex at Kawerau
  • Forestry sector; exploring opportunities for value added industries

Maori economic development will be a key driver for the EBOP economy over the next decade. The return of settlement assets, improvements in how existing assets are used and better coordination across iwi could deliver a real boost to the economy as iwi and Maori assets comprise a significant part of the EBOP economy.

With a number of our major industries in good shape we can build good momentum going into 2010 and onto 2011. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the trustees, Mary Hermanson and the TOI team for their efforts over the year. I would also like to acknowledge Whakatane, Opotiki and Kawerau Councils, Environment BOP and Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa (Ngati Awa Group Holdings Limited) for their financial and other support during the year.

Merry Xmas and a happy and safe New Year
Noho ora mai
Jeremy Gardiner
Chairman

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