Opinion: Rotorua punching above its weight

Ambassador of Mexico Jose Traslosheros Hernandez talks with Toi Ohomai interim chief executive Dr Neil Barns during the visit last week. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Last week the unemployment rate fell to 4.9 per cent, the lowest level since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. By comparison to Australia, the UK, Europe and a number of other countries that are usually our benchmark, this is a significant milestone.

As the unemployment rate falls and jobs are created, more people are joining the workforce. Labour market participation is now 70.1 per cent, the highest since the Household Labour Force Survey began 30 years ago.

There are many parts to the local economy and recent reports show they are all doing pretty well. It's said that Rotorua is based on forestry, farming and tourism, which are quoted as the main drivers of local employment and growth. They support engineering and transportation, the accommodation, food and beverage sectors and attract researchers and students from round the world looking to boost their skills and gain education.

If you add export education at Toi Ohomai Technical Institute (formerly Waiariki) and private sector educators to this mix it's clear the Rotorua economy is also reliant on trade and exports.

Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty are leaders in the county's economic performance. Recent international recognition has come through a number of important indicators. New Zealand has ranked first in the Global Prosperity Index, which judges the ability to turn wealth into prosperity, number one in the world for ease of doing business and we have been judged the best place in the world to live.

Recently I invited ambassadors from Mexico, Cuba and Argentina to Rotorua to showcase some of our important industries. This follows a recent visit by the United Kingdom High Commissioner who came to look at investment opportunities for UK businesses and to talk about the opportunities Brexit could present to the Bay of Plenty.

The ambassadors represent countries that we share a growing trade and tourism relationship with. They held discussions with representatives of the tourism and wood processing sectors and visited our technical institute. They also met with Rotorua Lakes Council members and talked to Rotorua's colourful Latin American community.

Since the start of direct flights earlier this year there has been a 300 per cent increase in Argentinian visitors to New Zealand. As tourist numbers grow and we become increasingly attractive to visitors, it's important Rotorua does everything it can to promote our local industry in new and exciting markets. This year is one of the best years the Rotorua tourism sector has experienced - and forecasts are next year will be even better.

In a visit to the Forestry School at Waipa, the ambassadors remarked Rotorua was a powerhouse of the forestry and wood processing industry and many young people from South America could come to Rotorua to study forestry.

Toi Ohomai also showcased its achievements in export education. The number of international students in the Bay of Plenty region has been increasing over the past couple of years and in 2015 almost 5000 fee paying students studied here spending considerable funds in the Bay's economy.

Rotorua is doing well. Our economy is growing, businesses are investing and jobs are being created. Our district feels positive, ready to take on more opportunity.

It is vital that New Zealand trades with the world - we won't become richer through merely selling to ourselves. Rotorua is punching above its weight in contributing to the wealth, jobs and opportunities that are brought to the region and the country.

- Todd McClay is the MP for Rotorua.