John Key is right. Mining and treaty settlements are two areas of potential economic growth for Northland.
Neither are direct results of any strategic economic stimulation from any central government initiative though.
Economic development in Northland over the past few decades has tended to be haphazard. There is no singleagreed common vision for the North, other than of course, we want the region to succeed.
But the complicated and fractured set-up of four local bodies plus a health body means getting those people in a room to agree on a unified strategy to grow the region is a difficult ask.
When there are several regional political groups as concerned with self preservation as they are with running their districts - yes, it is that hard.
I have witnessed leaders from various sectors in a room together contemplating a regional direction, as presented by Northland Inc - the phoenix arisen from the ashes of the blowtorch of restructure applied to Enterprise and Destination Northland.
Buy-in to the regional strategy varied. It was clear some district council members saw it as Northland Inc's strategy - not Northland's strategy.
A shame because it appeared to be a sound strategy.
As we approach the strong likelihood of a local government shake-up, will this change?
It has to. Northland is a small town, the desire for success and change is strong. And with a local government election coming up, we should take time to consider whether we have politicians - at local and central government level - of the calibre to bring something to the table for Northlanders, rather than sitting around the table bickering amongst themselves.
