Business in the Eastern Bay of Plenty
A wonderful outdoor lifestyle, affordable real estate, a stunning coastline and easy access to a myriad of recreational opportunities attract many people to the sunny Eastern Bay of Plenty. Among them are increasing numbers of entrepreneurs who find that the region’s economic and social infrastructure create an attractive climate for business. The Eastern Bay of Plenty provides:
- A great climate (Whakatane, the largest centre, claims some of NZ’s highest sunshine hours)
- Great outdoors opportunities with unique natural features
- Rare blend of lifestyle and services
- True bi-culturalism – the area has a large Maori population which is playing an increasing part in the regional economy
- Plenty of room for expansion
- Strong agriculture, horticulture and forestry industry base
- Great opportunities for aquaculture industry and tourism industries
- Low overhead costs
- Proximity to NZ’s largest exporting port at Tauranga
- Central to larger populations
- Large “blue collar” worker population
The region, made up of the Kawerau, Opotiki and Whakatane districts, is home to important export industries, the largest of which is wood and paper products manufacturing.
Carter Holt Harvey Packaging has a manufacturing plant in Whakatane, while Norske Skog operates the larger Tasman pulp and paper plant and SCA the tissue mill at Kawerau.
The Fonterra processing plant at Edgecumbe also plays a significant part in the local economy, processing the ever-increasing dairy output from around the region.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty covers about 433,000ha, about one third of which is planted in exotic forests. An increasing percentage of the log harvest is exported in unprocessed form through the Port of Tauranga.
Toi-EDA research has identified possible areas of growth in timber processing for export and domestic markets and these have the potential to make a big contribution to economic growth in the region. Excellent road and rail links connect the hinterland with the country's largest export port at Tauranga in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Numerous entrepreneurial businesses have also been set up in the Eastern Bay of Plenty in a variety of fields, targeting niche markets in both the domestic and export sectors.
New Zealand’s Government sponsored funding opportunities and relatively modest wage structure, add to the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s attractiveness as a location for new business.
Agriculture (mostly dairy and beef farming) and horticulture are major export activities, providing significant employment throughout the region. The region’s fertile soils support a variety of horticultural activities including kiwifruit orchards, market gardens and apple and avocado orchards.
Aquaculture could provide the region with a major opportunity. A group including Opotiki iwi Whakatohea’s Eastern Seafarms (54 per cent), Sealord Shellfish Ltd (26 per cent) and NZ Seafarms Ltd (20 per cent) recently received Department of Conservation consent for a planned 3800ha marine farm.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty’s spectacular inland and coastal attractions including marine volcano White Island, have encouraged the growth of tourism, with local marketing activities helping to lift visitor numbers and strengthen the Eastern Bay of Plenty economy.
Stunning beaches, big game fishing, scuba diving, surfing and activities such as swimming with dolphins also strengthen the region’s attractiveness as a holiday destination.
Toi-EDA can provide vital assistance with the establishment of new businesses in the region. It has set up a number of networks and clusters to encourage the growth and development of businesses and help create commercial opportunities. Clusters are groups of companies and related organisations that team up to develop their particular business sector. Clusters allow businesses, regions and interest groups to develop more quickly and provide solutions to any problems with training and infrastructure.
