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Tourism investment boost for Whangarei
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing over $2 million in two tourism initiatives which will further enhance Whangarei as a tourist destination and support the region’s economic growth, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced today.
“Tourism is set to continue to grow in Whangarei and it’s crucial that we invest to improve the infrastructure and encourage initiatives that cater to tourists,” Kelvin Davis said.
“The projects announced today are supported by the local community and add to the mix of existing and planned attractions in Whangarei.
“The PGF will invest $1.3 million towards the completion of a feasibility study and business case for the development of the Riverside Hotel and Entertainment Precinct. If the project goes ahead, it’s estimated that it will create upwards of 100 jobs and inject $7.75 million into the Whangarei economy each year.
“Funding of $750,000 will help build a full scale version of an operational rolling ball clock promoting Clapham’s National Clock Museum in Whangarei. A prototype built by local volunteers gained interest as a potential cultural and educational tourist attraction.
“Our regions are a big tourism drawcard and we want them to thrive as much as our cities. Through smart investments, the PGF can help grow a more sustainable and high value tourism industry, while creating jobs and more opportunities,” Kelvin Davis said.
With today’s announcement the
Provincial Growth Fund is set to invest over $101 million to
support New Zealand’s tourism sector.
Today’s Whangarei tourism investments:
| Project | Description | Amount |
| Riverside hotel and entertainment precinct | Develop business case for the Riverside Hotel and Entertainment Precinct being developed | $1.3m |
| Whangarei Rolling Ball Clock | Build a full scale version of an operational rolling ball clock promoting Whangarei’s Clapham’s National Clock Museum | $750,000 |
| Total | $2.05m |
Northland Provincial Growth Fund announcements to
date:
| Project | Description | Amount |
| Te Mingi Barge Feasibility | Investigating building and operating a barge site at Te Mingi for transporting logs to the Whangarei port. | $257,000 |
| ANT – Developing Projects | Capability support for 12 months to scope three key development projects | $250,000 |
| Te Hiku Water Solutions | Investigate a water storage scheme to support local high value horticultural production. | $99,500 |
| Ngāti Rehia Kauri Sanctuary | Opportunity for research and control of kauri dieback in a contained plantation environment, with training and education opportunities. | $288,000 |
| Ngāti Rangi Manuka and Kanuka oil distillery | Development of a business ecosystem based on extraction of the essential oils of manuka and kanuka. | Up
to $70,000 |
| Ngati Hine Forestry Trust Joint Venture | Te Uru Rākau and Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust to plant and manage 3,600ha of pine trees. | $6m |
| Ngati Hine Manuka Planting Training Programme | A mānuka plantation and training/work experience programme for 40 trainees over two years. | $1.89m |
| Opua Wharf | Construction of a new concrete pontoon, 111 metres long and 4 metres wide at Opua Wharf. | $0.89m |
| Paihia Wharf | Extend, upgrade, maintain and operate the Paihia Wharf. | $3.77m |
| Russell Wharf | Upgrade to Russell Wharf including floating concrete pontoons, dinghy dock and a wharf extension. | $1.114m |
| Kawakawa Tourism Hub | Develop Te Hononga Interpretive Centre, a cultural tourism hub facility in Kawakawa | $2.378m |
| Waipapa Intersection Improvement | Safety improvements to intersection at Waipapa | $9m |
| Totara Industry Proposal - pilot | A two-year pilot to test the validity of establishing an indigenous tōtara wood industry in Northland. | $0.45m |
| Hihiaua Stage One | Initial stage of a wider plan to develop the Hihiaua Peninsula into a contemporary Maori precinct. | $1.075m |
| Manea Footprints of Kupe | Establish an interactive Cultural Heritage Tourism and Education Centre in Opononi, Hokianga. | $4.6m |
| Bay of Islands Airport Terminal Upgrade | Construction of new terminal building for BOI Airport. | $1.75m |
| Marine travel lift | Purchase and installation of a marine travel lift in Whangarei to assist boat-building and refitting services. | $4.84m |
| Waitangi Mountain Bike Park | Construction and delivery of the final stage of WMBP including bike trails and jumps and associated infrastructure. | $0.49m |
| Pouto Road Phase 1 | Extending the sealed portion of Pouto Road | $5.05m |
| Kaipara Moana (Wharves analysis and implementation) | Investigating wharves and water transport in the Kaipara harbour, including $4.0m for implementation | $4.95m |
| Road re-metalling | Improving quality of existing roads | $3.15m |
| Pouto Road Phases 2 | Complete sealing to Pouto Point | $3.13m |
| Waipoua River Road | Improving safety and access | $1.6m |
| Programme Support | Additional resource to assist Kaipara District Council to deliver the investment programme. | $1.3m |
| Kaipara Kai | Develop a potential 50,000 hectares of fertile land into a sustainable horticultural area | $0.98m |
| 50MAX HPMV (High productivity motor vehicle) network | Upgrade bridge and road network allowing access for larger, more efficient trucks | $0.23m |
| Maori Battalion Museum | Establishing a museum to honour the 28th Māori Battalion on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds | $14.5m |
| Kai iwi Lakes Project | Construction of visitor facilities at Taharoa Domain, Lake Waikare. | $90,500 |
| The restoration of Lake Omapere initial feasibility study | Develop a strategy to determine the viability of raising the water level of Lake Omapere on the outskirts of Kaikohe. | $59,000 |
| Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs Redevelopment and enhancement | Feasibility work for an upgrade of facilities and access at Ngawha Springs, near Kaikohe. | $260,000 |
| Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan Portfolio Management | Additional resources to progress PGF applications and economic action plan objectives. | $200,000 |
| Ohaeawai Visitors Centre | Preliminary work to develop an Indigenous visitor experience near Kaikohe. | $100,000 |
| Total: | $99.1m |
ends
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