Golden quadrangle of councils join forces

A group of councils representing half of New Zealand's population has been formed to tackle issues of economic development, tourism, transport and ports in the upper North Island.

The Northland Regional Council and Whangarei District Council were among seven councils who signed on to the Upper North Island Strategic Alliance (UNISA) on Saturday.

Joining them in the alliance were the Auckland, Waikato Regional, Bay of Plenty Regional, Hamilton City and Tauranga City councils.

The ultimate goal of the new alliance will be increasing the economic output of the upper North Island through the sharing of information and resources.

Whangarei District Council Deputy Mayor Phil Halse said half of New Zealand's population lives within the area represented by the seven councils.

"Seventy two per cent of New Zealand's population growth has happened in our area in the last 15 years," he said.

"We need to be working together to leverage that growth to benefit the upper North Island as a whole. Whangarei needs to be in the game, rather than watching form the sidelines.

"The three ports in the alliance area handle 82 per cent of the nation's cargo, our roads are the most heavily travelled. Our businesses interlink and overlap. Whatever each council does potentially impacts other council areas.

"This new alliance will enable us to streamline, work together and get some economy of scale out of our relationships."

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) has also given the new alliance its seal of approval, calling it "bold and very welcome".

EMA chief executive Kim Campbell said the EMA will be giving the new alliance its full support.

"The Alliance recognises the growing significance of the 'golden quadrangle' of the Auckland, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty which EMA has been promoting.

"Having all the councils in the north share their plans and aspirations should lead them to share as well their tangible resources and expertise far more."