Editorial: Let's hope for govt funding and a close eye

Hundertwasser Art Centre.

Northlanders would dearly love to hear good news today coming out of Kerikeri and Kaikohe.

And we will, but that little devil, detail, was unable to be revealed when we went to press last night.

The Northern Advocate was aware that announcements around aquaculture (Bream Bay), the Hundertwasser Art Centre (Whangarei) and the region's forestry and bee industries were being made. But we have had to wait until today, for the 10.30am launch of the the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan at Kerikeri winery for more detail. Ministers such as Steven Joyce (Economic Development) were going to be present, so we are guessing the announcements are not small beer, as they say. Hopefully, there is central government economic support, as has been rumoured frequently, for the Hundertwasser project.

Anything that can speed the project will be welcome - waiting for a "baby" with a gestation period of two years will try the patience of those in the pro and anti camps. The sooner it is built, the better.

And do we need to reinvent the wheel or simply fulfil the promise this region holds.

Aquaculture, for example, holds massive potential. As does the newest kid on the regional development block - honey. There is gold in them thar ti tree-covered hills, liquid gold in the form of manuka honey.

If the region is lucky enough to receive monetary central government investment, as opposed to today's announcement simply being about a plan, then it needs to be said that whoever are the recipients, please hold them accountable. It is not quite an election year, but throwing money at a Northland challenge could return little in terms of social and economic investment if a close external eye is not kept on things. But hopefully, we now have a plan, and that is no longer an issue.

- You can go to www.northernadvocate.co.nz today after 10.30am for more detail on the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan.