Study to capture chances of economic growth

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Douglas Leeder.

A Government study aimed at establishing economic opportunities in the Bay of Plenty has been launched in Tauranga this afternoon.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Study is expected to help evaluate opportunities for increasing investment, employment and incomes in the region.

Bay of Connections Governance Group chair Doug Leeder said the study would help regional and central governments to work closer together.

Mr Leeder is also the Chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

He said the study would bring another lens to the region to reinforce and validate existing work, strategies and action plans.

"The Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Study will catalogue the region's strengths and opportunities - some of which have already been identified - and in particular, will help determine the initiatives, mechanisms and investment needed in order to advance those opportunities and make them a reality."

Mr Leeder said today's announcement was the culmination of months of work involving MBIE, the Bay of Connections and the region's economic development agencies.

"However, the hard work has only just begun and will involve many more individuals and organisations over the coming months - all with a common purpose to achieve growth and employment for our region."

The Bay of Connections is the regional growth strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region, including covering Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo.

The study will be supported by a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), working alongside MBIE and MPI, consisting of the Bay of Connections Management Group with six extra members representing additional industry sectors, including tourism, manufacturing and innovation, horticulture, R&D, health and agriculture. The study will also be grounded with insights from the Bay of Connections Governance Group.