17th December 2024

Western Bay of Plenty Seeks Government Partnership to Fuel Economic Growth, Housing, and Jobs Through Regional Deal

The Western Bay of Plenty subregion has today registered its intention to submit a proposal for a Government Regional Deal.

Regional Deals are a new policy initiative where the Government and a region will work together to unlock opportunities for economic growth, provide connected and resilient infrastructure, and improve the supply of housing.

The Western Bay of Plenty subregion partnership for the proposed deal comprises Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, tangata whenua and economic development agency Priority One. The partnership has been working on the concept for over a year and are confident of providing a compelling case for a Regional Deal.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the Western Bay of Plenty subregion has grown faster than any other in the past 20 years and is ready to deliver further growth that aligns with government priorities for Regional Deals. “To achieve this, we need to work in partnership with the Government to provide the tools and legislative settings we need to enable new housing and business development at pace, allowing growth to pay for growth.”

A Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal is expected to deliver around 46,000 additional houses, 35,000 additional jobs and maintain annual economic growth at a healthy 4.6%. “The subregion is ready to work together with central government to deliver,” Mahé adds

Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor James Denyer says: “We have an established spatial plan and strategy agreed by all three councils and tangata whenua, alongside key government agencies. Nevertheless, funding and policy barriers to growth remain and by seeking an enduring partnership through a Regional Deal, we aim to overcome these barriers.”

A Regional Deal would be expected to build on government infrastructure investments around key parts of the state highway network and would encourage private sector investment. Priority One Chair Todd Muller says: “The Port of Tauranga is one of the most significant pieces of economic infrastructure this country has. Building exports is critical to the future of New Zealand and this Deal will help to ensure that infrastructure is provided to, and around, the Port to support our exports getting to market.”

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder says: “The prospect of Regional Deals is exciting, in particular they will deepen the partnership between local and central government, with mutually agreed objectives and delivery.”

Proposals for Regional Deals are due to be submitted by 28 February 2025.