MartinJenkins to guide regional growth study

Economic research organisation MartinJenkins has been selected from a number of quality parties to partner with a government-led regional growth study in the Bay of Plenty.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Study was announced by the government in June to evaluate opportunities for increasing investment, employment and incomes in the wider Bay of Plenty region.

The study is being commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The management of the study will be overseen by a Working Group comprised of MBIE, MPI, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, as well as a Technical Advisory Group.

The study will be supported by and grounded with insights from the Bay of Connections, the wider Bay of Plenty’s regional growth strategy, and will utilise the expertise of a range of key industry stakeholders who were identified earlier in the year and invited to be members on the Technical Advisory Group. MartinJenkins will work alongside the Working Group and the Technical Advisory Group to research and identify key economic opportunities for the region.

Bay of Connections management group chair Fiona McTavish says MartinJenkin’s involvement in the growth study adds yet another dynamic layer to the mix.

“MartinJenkins has a comprehensive knowledge of the region, both in terms of its strengths and opportunities, as well as significant credibility with key stakeholders across the region.

“The partnership also builds on and ensures greater collaboration between the region and central government and we look forward to what this ongoing and constructive partnership will mean for the region.”

The Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Study will bring together knowledge held by local business people, iwi/Māori, stakeholders and economic development agencies, and combine that knowledge with official data and independent economic analysis.

“Having MartinJenkins on board to collate all the different aspects involved in the study can give the community greater assurances as to the quality of this study and the positive outcomes it will have for the wider Bay of Plenty region and its people.”

The Regional Growth Study will build on work already underway in the region including the Bay of Connections Strategy, the development of the Invest Bay of Plenty spatial plan, the Regional Economic Activity Report’s regional profile, and investment through the Government’s Primary Growth Partnership.

The Northland Regional Growth Study is underway and will be completed before the end of the year. A Growth Study is also planned for Manawatu, with the tender process currently open. The Bay of Plenty study is set to be completed by mid-December 2014.

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