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Denise Piper / Things
Vice Prime Minister Winston Peters announced $ 30 million for Northland projects in Whangārei on Tuesday.
Winston Peters and Shane Jones last opposed the Provincial Growth Fund and announced a $ 30 million investment in a wide range of Northland projects.
The deputy prime minister and the regional economic development minister made the announcement to more than 100 people in Whangārei on Tuesday, saying the funding would create 480 immediate and long-term jobs.
Eleven projects will get a mix of loans and grants, with the most commercial projects receiving loans to get ahead.
Kavinda Herath / Things
NZ First leader Winston Peters told workers at the Tiwai Point aluminum smelter on September 9 that he believed it could remain open for another “two decades.”
The jobs will be seen immediately in construction, but will eventually lead to permanent full-time positions, Peters said.
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“These works will have a positive impact on the social and economic results of the communities in which they are located. More money will be circulated where it is needed and the local economy will be boosted, ”Peters said.
“We are investing in oyster production, water, horticultural production, a smokehouse, a regional digital hub, a kauri tourism company, and a number of fence and waterway projects and community space renovations,” Peters said.
New Zealand’s first MP Jones has been running a major local campaign in the Northland electorate this year, which Winston Peters won in the 2015 by-elections.
Denise Piper / Things
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says the funding was vitally important to regions like Northland.
The party has been consistently voting below the 5 percent threshold, which means that it would not re-enter Parliament without winning a seat.
However, polls last month suggested Jones was a distant third in Northland’s contest and highly unlikely to win the seat.
The Provincial Growth Fund has been a flagship policy of NZ First as part of the coalition government of this period.
The scheme set aside $ 3 billion over three years to invest in a variety of projects aimed at boosting regional economies.
The Labor Party announced this month that it would scrap the policy if elected to a second term, but Peters said it was a surprise, given the way parties were quick to join the announcements.
“It is new for me”.
Peters said the Provincial Growth Fund was NZ First’s policy and that he would “get the job done” if he were re-elected.
Environmental projects, rugby clubs get funding
A wide range of companies benefited from the funding announced Tuesday.
Rohe Produce will secure a $ 14 million loan for a $ 70 million 8.9ha high-tech greenhouse built at Marsden Point to grow specialty organic tomatoes.
The greenhouse, the size of 13 rugby fields, will be the first of its kind in New Zealand, creating 200 construction jobs during the 18 months of construction followed by 110 permanent jobs in the greenhouse.
Moana New Zealand will secure an $ 11 million loan to transform its oyster farming operation, nearly doubling the country’s oyster production with new flip farm technology.
The project will create 33 jobs in Northland, Coromandel and Marlborough.
Aupouri Ngāti Kahu Te Rarawa Trust, based in Kaitaia, will receive funding of $ 510,000 to expand its business, which collects old tires and processes them into rubber scraps for sale and use in other products.
“The jobs generated through this company will be targeted at local youth, particularly Maori Rangatahi in Northland,” Peters said.
With this project a total of 15 jobs will be created.
Hokianga-based smoked meat and seafood processing company Hoki Smoki will receive a loan of $ 580,000 to increase production of its high-quality smoked meat and fish products, for which there is high demand, Jones said.
“Seven full-time and four part-time jobs will be created, which is great news for this small, isolated community with high unemployment,” he said.
Other funded projects are:
- $ 2 million grant to Northland Regional Council for a walking tourism business, stopping the spread of kauri dieback by building tracks and boardwalks (14 jobs).
- $ 2.2 million grant to Te Kotahitanga E Kaha Trust for a waterway restoration project in Kaikohe (11 jobs).
- $ 593,000 grant to Te Kokiria Ata to improve the waterways around the Kaikohe River, with fences and plantations (seven jobs).
- $ 400,000 to Te Kotahitanga and Mahi Kaha Trust for a Kaikohe Regional Digital Center.
- $ 410,000 to Taiamai Ohaeawai Rugby, Football and Sports Club for renovations (43 jobs).
- $ 100,500 for the Far North District Council for renovations of the Ōtiria Sports Club and community space (12 jobs).
- $ 750,000 to Northland Inc to support regional economic development (four jobs).
