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MAYOR Meng Foon will hold a Business Ready Forum next month to take advantage of the Government’s Tuawhenua Provincial Growth Fund (TPGF) launched here on Friday.
“If you have ideas suitable for the TPGF, get them ready as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Foon wants ideas that are consent-ready, quotes or best estimates-ready, and which include prices, cash flow projection and profit and loss analysis.
“I call these ideas spade-ready. Then we can invite Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and his officials back to Gisborne to present the ideas.
“We, as Tairawhiti businesses, innovators and dreamers, have a lot of work to do. We need to collaborate and support each other.
“Mr Jones is keen to see new ideas and to employ more people. Trade and Economic Development Minister David Parker is keen to support new jobs and help businesses expand.”
Mr Foon said funding the Wairoa to Napier rail line was the beginning of a bigger vision.
“They may add the Wairoa to Gisborne line”.
The TPGF committed $5 million to reopen the Wairoa-Napier rail line but omitted any reference to the Wairoa-Gisborne line.
Mr Jones later told media that regional leaders had different views on whether rail services should be reinstated to Gisborne.
Asset to districtMr Foon said the proposed cycle track would provide a great asset to the district if the rail line was not repaired from Wairoa to Gisborne.
“If the Government sees fit not to fix the Wairoa to Gisborne rail line, then a cycle rail trail will be a great asset for our small communities from Gisborne to Mahia to Wairoa.”
The cycle track would take advantage of the best weather, scenery, culture and environment, he said.
Another issue was how to convert seasonal jobs into full-time jobs.
“These people work hard but they do not have permanent employment. They can’t produce a wage slip that will help them buy a house.
The launch of the TPGF was a significant event for Gisborne and provincial New Zealand, he said.
“To have a national policy announced in Gisborne is huge. To have the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Economic Development, Green Party leader and other Cabinet ministers here was awesome.
"The presence of councillors, our business community and iwi showed unity. We speak with one voice, a great Tairawhiti together.”
Mr Foon thanked other mayoral colleagues for coming to Gisborne to listen and show support.
“The announcements of the various projects was great and I understand this is the beginning for us all.
“The coalition Government has bought new energy into the regions. The Prime Minister said she appreciated New Zealand First focusing on investing in the provincial regions. It’s great to see this focus on us.”
Red letter dayIkaroa-Rawhiti MP and Customs Minister Meka Whatiri described the TPGF launch as a “red letter day” for the district.
“I am excited that the money from the TPGF has been earmarked for projects that range from improvements to Gisborne’s inner harbour to kick-starting a $20 million wood processing centre of excellence in the city.
“At the heart of this wide-ranging policy is the Government’s billion trees programme, with enormous opportunities for our Maori people.
“We will also be spending $1 million on a commemoration programme for first encounters between Maori and Pakeha to bolster local tourism.
“Half of New Zealand’s population live outside our cities and for New Zealand to do well, our provinces have to thrive. This is a bold and ambitious plan that reverses nine years of neglect in our regions,” Ms Whaitiri said.