Tourism, such as cruise ships visiting the Bay of Islands, is one of four areas Northland wanted to prioritise in its regional deal. Photo / NZME
Tourism, such as cruise ships visiting the Bay of Islands, is one of four areas Northland wanted to prioritise in its regional deal. Photo / NZME
Northland leaders need to work together more if they want to secure a regional deal, says Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.
The north missed out on being one of the country’s first areas to secure a city or regional deal with central Government, who chose Auckland, Otago/Central Lakes and WesternBay of Plenty for its first negotiations.
The regional deals promise improved central government co-ordination, early collaboration with regions on system reforms, new funding and financing tools, and support to unlock growth sectors.
Northland’s proposal asked to prioritise future energy, marine manufacturing, primary industries and tourism, boosting the region’s GDP by $977 million and creating more than 6000 jobs.
Jones, who lives in Northland, said he was disappointed the region didn’t make the first cut.
He thought the region needed to present a co-ordinated approach to challenges, such as Local Waters Done Well, the replacement for Three Waters, he said.
With 200,000 people living in Northland, it makes sense for the region to be united, Jones said.
“Each village in Northland is very proud of their local town hall, local marae and local sports committee. It will just take a bit of time, I suspect, until the Northland leaders can make an unfettered commitment to a Northland strategy.”
Jones said Northland also appeared irrational when Whangārei District Council decided to not go ahead with Ōruku Landing, effectively turning down a $59m central Government grant for the conference centre.
However, he said Northland’s leaders should not despair, as missing out on the first regional deal does not mean central Government funding is cut off for the north.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the regional deals are all about presenting a united front. Photo / NZME
A detailed business case is due to be presented to central Government for approval shortly.
Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo, who is chairman of the Northland Mayoral Forum, is hopeful Te Tai Tokerau might be chosen for the second tranche of regional deals.
“The Government was very impressed with the way Northland worked together to produce our document. It showed potential and showed a region working together to make things happen.”
Cocurullo was also confident Northland would still get projects already committed to, such as the Brynderwyn Hills replacement and the Whangārei Hospital rebuild.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
