City leaders: Mixed reaction to budget 2018

Much like the region's mayors, Tauranga's city leaders were expecting more investment into local infrastructure from the Government's 2018 budget announcement.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec described Thursday's announcement as unspectacular, predictable and fiscally restrained.

Gregec said it was hard to see what the plan was for economic growth, especially for the regions, which were "desperate for much-needed investment in roads and infrastructure".

"Grant Robertson has splashed money in the areas we expected, but has resisted the temptation of a full-on splurge," Gregec said.

He said there were no surprises for businesses that had not already been signalled.

"The Research and Development tax credits will be generally welcome," he said.

Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt was pleased to see a "fiscally conservative" budget and applauded the additional investment in healthcare and social services.

Tutt was disappointed to not see additional investment in transport and housing infrastructure for growth regions, which the Western Bay "badly needs".

Sustainable Business Network Bay of Plenty regional manager Glen Crowther agreed there was a lack of investment into local infrastructure but said there were some positives for the region.

Crowther was pleased to see the establishment of a $100m Green Investment Fund which was designed to drive a transition to a sustainable economy.

He said there were a number of organisations in the Bay of Plenty that were leading the way in sustainable business, he hoped the region would be allocated some of the fund.