Media release:
Zespri welcomes the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry.
Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake says the kiwifruit industry supports this coordinated, long-term approach to infrastructure development.
“The Western Bay of Plenty is critical to Zespri and the kiwifruit industry, with around 80 percent of our New Zealand fruit grown in the region and more than 95 percent exported through the Port of Tauranga. We are already seeing infrastructure constraints, and without action they will worsen as the industry grows. This plan provides greater confidence that bottlenecks will be addressed and gives the industry more certainty to invest to meet future demand, while continuing to deliver value back to growers and the communities they support.”
He says the deal will also play an important role in supporting workers in the industry, including RSE workers, who are a critical part of the seasonal workforce.
“Access to housing and social infrastructure is essential to attracting and retaining the workers the industry and region need. A clear, coordinated plan helps ensure the Western Bay remains an attractive place to live and work.
“Improving connectivity to the Port and the Port extension remain critical priorities for the industry which we hope to see agreed as soon as possible. We acknowledge the Government, Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty Council and Environment Bay of Plenty and mana whenua as well as Priority One and members of the business community who have been involved in today’s announcement.”
Mr Te Brake reiterated that delays to the Port of Tauranga extension remain a key potential bottleneck which Zespri hoped to see resolved positively as soon as possible.
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