Matariki HBREDSMatariki (Te Rautaki Whakatipu Ōhanga ā-Rohe o Te Matau-a-Māui)

The vision: ‘Every household and every whānauis actively engaged in, contributing to and benefiting from, a thriving Hawke’s Bay economy.’

'Ko te kainga, ko te whānau te pūtake; he tau-utuutu te hononga ko te ōhanga o te matau a māui e pakari nei.'

HBREDS - What is it?

To achieve these aims, the strategy sets out the steps needed to help existing businesses who want to grow to do so, attract new business, promote great new ideas, attract skilled migrants to work in the areas in which we need more people and plan major public projects that benefit the whole region.

To achieve the desired effect, each of the actions named in the strategy has a lead agency to drive achievement of desired outcome. To find out more, view the full strategy in our related documents section.

How we will get there

The plan is to build on the many great advantages that Hawke’s Bay has, and come up with practical projects that achieve the aims and the overall vision of the plan. Some actions include:

• Investigating starting up joint venture agricultural training hub
• Set up systems ensuring major public infrastructure project management focuses on hiring local labour
• Councils working on developing common rules on consents and construction regulations
• Setting up an office that advises and mentors people wanting to start up new small businesses
• Working with Rocket Lab to attract compatible businesses
• Expanding the National Aquarium in Napier to include marine research capability which will create science-based employment
• Looking into running an annual investors’ seminar in Hawke’s Bay to attract investment to the region

Some projects the Wairoa District Council is involved with

• Work with Rocket Lab to develop opportunities to leverage business attraction off their Te Mahia initiative
• Ensure regional and district plans take a coherent and consistent approach to regulating common activities
• Investigate a common approach to consenting and regulatory approval
• Accelerate the deployment of Ultra Fast Broadband throughout the Region, in particular to rural communities and marae
• Identify land available to support new business growth by liaising with councils
• Develop a targeted regional strategy for the attraction of businesses, investment and migrants

The journey so far

The Matariki - Hawke's Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan is an ambitious strategy that aims to make Hawke’s Bay the most innovative region in New Zealand, the leading exporter of premium primary produce and a hub for business growth.

It is named for the Māori new year (in mid-June). ‘Matariki’ is a time of celebration, reflection and planning. For the strategy this means a commitment by all partners to robust annual review and refinement. The strategy is linked with national economic development plans as it is part of the Government’s Regional Growth Programme, which focuses on increasing jobs, income and investment in regional New Zealand. It also aligns with the Government’s Māori Economic Development and Action Plan ‘He kai kei aku ringa’.

The reach

The strategy applies across the region including Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, Napier, Wairoa and small parts of Rangitikei and Taupo. The boundaries coincide with the area covered by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

What happens next?

Members of the Governance Group are exploring options for a delivery model to be put in place to implement the actions and strategic goals. The new model will look at successful delivery models already in place and will build on existing strengths specific to the Hawke’s Bay. The new model will have a strong delivery focus and will include representation from business, Māori, and local government.

More Information

For more information please visit:
www.hbreds.nz