Minister unlocks maritime potential in Whakatāne
Hon. Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic and Regional Development, joined with Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatāne partners in a symbolic ceremony today to mark the commencement of the first works at the site of the new boat harbour for Whakatāne.
Following a blessing, representatives from the project partners turned the first sod on the site at 2 Keepa Road, adjacent to the Whakatāne River and the future site of a hub of maritime infrastructure, including a 60-berth boat harbour for commercial boats in the fishing and tourism industries.
“This moment was a symbol of this transformational partnership,” says John Rae Chairman of Te Rāhui Herenga 2021 Whakatāne Limited Partnership. “It recognises how far the Crown, Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings, and Whakatāne District Council have come, working together to deliver a project with intergenerational benefits for the region.
Chairman of Te Rāhui Lands Trust Brian Simpson said the Minister’s time in Whakatāne was an opportunity to signal the commencement of work to prepare the site for construction.
“Given the maritime history of Ngāti Awa we are delighted this land will become a hub that can deliver jobs for our people through marine-related tourism and economic opportunities,” he says. “It’s a privilege to be able to share this with Hon. Stuart Nash today.”
Project partners turned the symbolic first sod with Hon Stuart Nash yesterday. From left to right: John Rae, Chair of Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatane 2021 Limited Partnership, Brian Simpson, Chair of Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Hon Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic and Regional Development, Mayor Judy Turner, Whakatāne District Council, Paul Quinn, Chairman of Ngāti Awa Group Holdings
Whakatāne District Council Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan, was delighted to showcase the transformational partnership for the Minister.
“This project will retain existing boat building within our District and provide critical infrastructure for fishing and tourism. We are working to involve as many local people and businesses as possible in the build. We believe that once built, the boat harbour will provide ongoing economic opportunities for local businesses. It will offer significant benefits economically and socially, and we are also delighted with the environmental benefits for our precious river,” she says.
Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner thanked the Minister for the co-investment. “This has allowed the partners to come together to achieve a significant infrastructure project that a district like ours, with so much potential and opportunity, but with a relatively small rating base, could otherwise only wish for. We are fortunate that the Whakatāne Harbour Endowment Fund allows us to be a partner in this significant project - however without Crown Co-investment we couldn’t have made this stack up. We have tried to find this safe and modern boat harbour opportunity for nearly 15 years, we are delighted to see it come to fruition.”
Stuart Nash is also Minister for Forestry, Small Business and Tourism and has oversight of Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit (formerly the Provincial Growth Fund).