PGF supports Hawke’s Bay community and environment projects
Fletcher
Tabuteau
Under-Secretary for Regional
Economic Development
The Government is
investing more than $1.6 million from the Provincial Growth
Fund (PGF) for a wide range of community and environmental
projects in Hawke’s Bay, Under-Secretary for Regional
Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today.
These announcements today are part of the Government’s commitment to supporting regional economies in the wake of Covid-19 with its PGF reset announced in May 2020.
“This latest PGF boost will create more than 60 jobs and make a significant difference for this region,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
PGF projects announced include:
• $290,394 to maintain and
renovate key community halls in the Hastings district
•
$220,000 to Kairakau Lands Trust (PGF whenua Māori grant) to lift land
productivity
• $218,500 to Nopera Trust for
farm development (Whenua Māori grant)
•
$393,600 for a Te Puna Farm Environmental Acceleration
project for riparian planting and fencing of a significant
stretch of the Tukituki River catchment to improve water
quality
• $516,000 to Waipuka 3B1C2 Land
Block for fencing and planting to tackle farmland
erosion and future proof the property against major weather
events
“I’m really happy to be here today to make these announcements for the great Hawke’s Bay, a region that has been prioritised by the PGF because of its enormous potential and natural resources.”
“Key social centres such as halls and sports clubs will now be able to undertake much needed maintenance and renovation of its facilities, which are incredibly important social centres in regional New Zealand.
“The PGF whenua Māori investments will go to improving the productivity of Māori land including on the southern Hawke’s Bay coast to support Māori economic development in a historically disadvantaged area.
“PGF support for fencing and planting along a significant stretch of the Tukituki River will protect the water quality of this important recreational waterway, and the Waipuka project will allow 123 hectares of farmland to be fenced to tackle erosion and future proof the property against destructive major weather events.
Mr Tabuteau will also make a site visit to Waipatu Marae in Hastings to meet workers who have benefited from the Government’s package to help workers whose jobs have been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“It’s been great to see the success created through the PGF’s focus on the Hawke’s Bay and I know these announcements today will make a big difference,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
Notes to
editor:
Funding from the
Provincial Growth Fund is approved in principle and
announced, after which contracts are negotiated. Some
funding may depend on completion of business cases. Payments
are made once agreed milestones are met. These are set as
part of contract negotiations, and differ from project to
project.
The Provincial Growth Fund is providing $290,394 to maintain and renovate the following community halls in the Hastings district:
•
Waikare and District Sports Club: This is
an Indoor Sports Hub which is well used by the local
community, including nearby schools, for recreation,
meetings and events. The $84,664 funding will be used for
roof repairs and internal decoration.
•
Matapiro and Districts Recreation Hall: The
hall is used to hold local community meetings as well as an
array of community functions including gatherings for
schools. The $20,407 funding is for a new roof.
•
Te Awanga Community Hall: The building is
used for local community events, meetings and social
activities. The $2,908 funding is for renovation of the
floors.
• Kereru Hall: This
hall is used for early childhood activities, community
groups and events. The $11,280 funding will be used to
renovate floors and for outside planting.
•
Poukawa Hall: Locals use the hall for a
wide range of local activity, including community events,
market days and music events. The $34,400 funding will cover
the replacement of weatherboards and outside
painting.
• Kaiwaka Hall: The
hall is important to locals and well used. As the
neighbouring school is now closed, the hall is the heart of
the community. The $4,246 funding is for painting the roof
and exterior.
• Maraekakaho
Hall: The Maraekakaho Hall is a well-used local
rural hall and the key community focal area of the
community. The hall is used for local functions, school
activities, afterschool and children’s holiday activities
as well as community meeting and events. The $132,489
funding is for electrical and landscaping work. The
electrical upgrades will improve the building’s fire
safety.
Today’s Provincial Growth Fund
announcement will provide financial support for the
following projects;
•
Kairakau Lands Trust is receiving a $220,000 Whenua Māori
grant. This project will support Māori economic
development in a historically disadvantaged area and, once
completed, will lift the land’s agriculture productivity
potential.
• Nopera Trust is receiving a Whenua
Māori grant of $218,500 for farm development.
•
Te Puna Farm Environmental Acceleration project will receive
a grant of $393,600 for riparian planting and fencing of a
significant stretch of the Tukituki River catchment to
improve water quality.
• Waipuka 3B1C2 Land
Block will receive a $516,000 grant from the
Provincial Growth Fund for fencing and planting to tackle
farmland erosion and future proof the property against major
weather events.