Community redevelopments

Uplifting communities through improving town infrastructure can foster economic growth, well-being, safety and pride.

Through Kānoa, Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, the government has invested in community redevelopment projects throughout the country.

These co-investments with community partners make our regions better places to live and work. They create jobs, grow businesses and build enabling and resilient infrastructure and facilities that deliver lasting benefits.

Discover examples of how these investments have helped develop our regions below.

Musseling up Ōpōtiki’s future

Low aerial view of Ōpōtiki harbour.

The new breakwaters opened in Pākihikura (Ōpōtiki) Harbour extend 450m out to sea.

The Pākihikura (Ōpōtiki) Harbour development is the largest single project investment managed by Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development & Investment Agency to date.

Central government funding of $95.3 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and the NZ Upgrade Programme supported the $115.3 million construction work. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council co-funded the project with $20 million from its own region-specific Regional Infrastructure Fund.

Ōpōtiki Harbour Development wins big at the Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) Awards in 2023

1 Toi EDA Eastern Bay of Plenty Regional Economic Development Agency Best Practice for Collaboration — YouTube

The harbour development project is building on other regional development successes delivering positive impacts for Ōpōtiki.

A new $35 million Whakatōhea iwi mussel processing factory opened in July 2021 and now employs more than 170 workers. The PGF contributed $19 million and Whakatōhea Mussels' shareholders also supported the project.

The factory processes the nutritious indigenous greenshell mussels that grow in an open ocean setting, with 3,800 hectares of marine farm operated by Eastern Sea Farms 8.5 kilometres offshore from Ōpōtiki.

The two new sea walls and the building of the harbour is helping secure the factory’s success in creating jobs and will support the continued growth of aquaculture in the Bay of Plenty. The harbour redevelopment has also enabled other local businesses to grow.

Find out more about how new sea walls are safeguarding Ōpōtiki's transformation

The impact of Kānoa-administered government investment in Ōpōtiki [PDF 1.4MB] — MBIE.govt.nz