Regional Council Funds Tertiary Campus

22 August 2013

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Regional Council Funds Tertiary Campus

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce today expressed unreserved delight at the news Bay of Plenty Regional Council will contribute $15m towards the development of a tertiary campus in Tauranga.

CEO Max Mason said, “The ramifications of this landmark decision are immense for our region. If TECT makes the same commitment, then on every level Bay of Plenty people will prosper. Young adults who stay in the Bay to study here rather than going elsewhere are this community’s lifeline to the future. Young people from around the county and internationally will be drawn to the Bay of Plenty, and our whole region will benefit.”

The Chamber has been a strong supporter of the tertiary campus, and their board several years ago designated it as the top ranked advocacy priority.

Mr Mason said, “We applaud the vision and courage of all the Regional Councillors for standing up when it most counts. This decision took great political skill to pull together and congratulations are in order.

”This is a deep investment in people and a clear acknowledgement that education returns major dividends to a community.

“The tertiary strategy is focussed on aligning both research and teaching with the region’s economic strengths and opportunities. We are already seeing the benefits of a university presence here, and this decision is a leap forward towards the vision of a high wage regional economy.”

“This decision will also generate a boost in confidence for the Tauranga CBD with the prospect of hundreds of staff and students spending money and injecting a vibrant and youthful culture into the city centre.”

The Chamber also applauded the decision to allocate $5m to the Marine Precinct in a co-funding venture with Tauranga City Council.

Mr Mason said, “I believe this city is on the cusp of the biggest step forward in raising incomes, balancing the needs of young and old, and raising our national and international profile. This is an historic day for economic development for the city and region.”

“I don’t know of any other region where public, private and charitable entities collaborate as effectively as ours do.”

ENDS

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