9 OCTOBER 2015

Northland MP Backs Cruise Ship Growth

With an extra 30,000 cruise passengers set to benefit Northland’s economy in the 2015/16 cruise season the Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader and the Member of Parliament for Northland, is backing needed infrastructure to support its growth.

“Cruise ship passengers visiting the Bay of Islands in the 2015/16 season is expected to top 100,000 passengers and it started with the Diamond Princess today,” says Mr Peters.

“This is a 30,000 passenger increase on 20145/15 and it looks set to increase the value of this industry to Northland by $8 million. It will take the total value of the cruise industry for Northland to $29 million so it is significant economic contributor.

“We applaud the community-led Cruise Ship Ambassador programme that personalises the experience. That is helped by our sheer physical beauty, but as we noted at a recent industry forum, there is still room for improvement and for much growth.

“One thing highlighted by the cruise industry is the challenges thrown up by infrastructure.

“This will not surprise Northlanders but it shows how regions need investment so they can grow. Infrastructure is central to the development of many of our industries here, which is why the Prime Minister must deliver on his copious promises.

“Otherwise, not just Northland voters but those in other cruise ports, like Tauranga and Napier will wonder what the Minister of Tourism is doing,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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