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Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan
The purpose of this document is to provide clear, prioritised and measurable economic directions for the South Waikato District. The "Economic Spirit" defines a shared vision and priorities for the District and provides a clear and achievable pathway to long-term sustainable economic growth.
Click here to read the "Economic Spirit" (Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan).
Economic Development in the 21st Century
With the 21st century in full swing now, we face an array of challenges in the form of economic, social and technological changes. The world economy is in transition and moving from the industrial age to the knowledge age. There are shifts in employment patterns as new industries replace old. There is a change in the ethnic and age composition of our communities. As a result of these changes, barriers to trade are coming down and we are now part of a global economy. At the same time, the application and convergence of computing and communication technologies has accelerated the development of global business and the global market place. Technology is now an integral part of the workplace, our homes, our community… our very way of life.
There is a need for politicians, councils and business people to “do something” about raising the general wellbeing of its people in all aspects of life. The South Waikato District Council believes that it:
• has a duty to care for its community.
• has an obligation to understand the local community’s needs.
• can pull the community together for the betterment of the District.
The Council wants to create an environment that encourages economic and personal growth and development. It needs to build on the existing strengths and achievements of the education and training sectors. It needs to develop the social, economic, civic and cultural effectiveness of all sections of the community.
The focus on forestry, agriculture, and hydro developments in the South Waikato has led to the emergence of a strong manufacturing base. Around 28% of the District’s workforce is employed in the manufacturing sector.
Links by road and rail to the Port of Tauranga have helped a number of firms develop their product’s export potential, from forestry machinery and expert engineering services to clothing for overseas markets. Centrality is also a key advantage for the high-growth distribution sector. The Lichfield Dairy Factory is a prime example of recent economic development in the region.
The South Waikato District has plenty of space to grow. It has excellent water and waste water reticulation that could cope with a population of twice the size.
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Economic advantages for businesses in the District
- The central location - Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua, and Taupo are all less than one hour’s drive away. Manukau City in Auckland is only two hours.
- Very low land and building costs in comparison with major centres.
- Rental costs about 33% of Auckland levels.
- User-friendly District Plan and planning process.
- Rates incentives for new businesses.
- No reserves contributions required for new developments.
- Commercially sympathetic District Council.
- Available industrial zoned land, with facilities, ready for development.
- Outstanding potential for green field industrial expansion.
- A stable, versatile and skilled workforce.
- The infrastructure to accommodate both industrial and residential expansion.
- No traffic congestion (in fact, no traffic lights!).
- Existing clusters within the forestry, dairy, and engineering industries, and the resulting peripheral industries and trades to service and complement all industrial needs.
- Well developed heavy engineering support.
- Situated on State Highway 1 and main national rail link with direct links to the ports of Tauranga and Auckland.
- Further State Highway access to the King Country in the west and Bay of Plenty region in the east.
- The ideal location to optimise central warehousing and distribution.
- Full domestic and international banking facilities with most of the major trading banks represented.
- A sealed all-weather airfield.
- High quality gas and electricity supplies.
- An abundant, pure, export quality water supply.
- Environmentally sustainable, low cost landfills.
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The South Waikato Economic Development Trust (SWEDT)
The SWEDT was established in 2002 and operates as an incorporated charitable trust. The inception of the Trust was a result of the South Waikato District Council’s Economic Development Strategy “Securing our Future”.
The SWEDT is representative of the District economy and is appropriately resourced to implement the strategy. As shown in the Economic Development Strategy model, there are five key focus areas. Forestry and Farming, River and Enterprise will be driven by the Trust. Together, Council and the Trust will focus on the Tourism and Image areas.
The role of the Council will be to deliver on strategies focussing on social, education, health and technology development.
The Strategy also highlighted the need for a “one stop shop” to offer professional service in facilitating, planning and marketing assistance for new and existing business. With the support of Carter Holt Harvey Kinleith Ltd, the Trust launched the Business Development Centre in May 2003.
The SWEDT believes:
- The South Waikato has the infrastructure to support long-term development.
- The South Waikato has the people within the community to create community growth, prosperity and wellbeing.
The Trust aims:
- To enable people to reach their full potential.
- To facilitate passionate pro-active people who show commitment and desire to succeed.
The Trust will work with people who:
- Have a drive to succeed.
- Want to see others succeed.
- Are prepared to ask for help.
- Have shown initiative to plan or have personally invested time, money or energy in to an idea.
The Trust’s Mission Statement
Working with individuals, groups and organisations to facilitate enterprise, development and growth in a professional, pro-active and confidential manner that will improve the overall economic, welfare and quality of life for the people of the South Waikato.
Click here: www.southwaikato.com to link to the Trust's website.
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Tourism
Tourism is a newly emerging industry in the South Waikato. The District is strategically located between the world famous Waitomo Caves to the west and the equally famous boiling mud pools of Rotorua to the east, with a major tourist bus route travelling daily in large numbers via Arapuni and Putaruru.
Tirau, the northern visitor gateway to the District, has become a tourist destination in its own right. Thousands of domestic and international visitors pass through the District each day and the new landmark dog-shaped Visitor Information Centre and sheep-shaped Wool and Craft Shop further support the development of tourism in the District.
Existing visitor attractions and activities in the District include the famous Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel, the corrugated iron art and antiques in Tirau, the Blue Springs and Te Waihou Walkway, the Talking Poles of Tokoroa and a range of national and international events.
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Environment
Covering 182,000 hectares, the South Waikato has a diverse landscape of exotic and native forests, open pasture, lakes and streams.
One of the local water supplies is sourced from pristine springs. The quality of this water is recognised and appreciated by residents and local industries alike. It is bottled and distributed to national and international markets from Putaruru’s natural water bottling plants which together account for 60% of New Zealand's bottled water.
The local economy is strongly dependent on the quality of the environment, which provides an opportunity to capitalise on the South Waikato’s clean, green image.
The South Waikato’s commitment to environmental sustainability is recognised by Council in its Strategic Plan, and by the recent commissioning of two state-of-the-art waste treatment plants in the District.
The South Waikato District Council aims to create a vibrant, participative, culturally aware and economically buoyant environment through the provision, justification and active promotion of opportunities to improve the way of life for all its people.
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