Development agency boss' new skills a boon to district

Kaipara Development Agency chief executive officer Jason Smith has earned a diploma in economic development from the Auckland University of Technology's Institute of Public Policy.
He was in the first intake of economic development students in the country and is now among the first in New Zealand qualified in the discipline.
The key principle of economic development is that it builds on the established identity of an area - whether that is a district, region or country.
Economic development promotes endogenous growth - growth from within an area - and in recent years has gained international recognition as a profession and a science.
Mr Smith said economic development was about building on what rings true about a place and its natural competitive advantages to create an authentic identity and marketing advantage.
Kaipara District Economic Development Trust chairman Richard Drake said the trustees were happy to provide the time and opportunity for Mr Smith to undertake the course.
"We are thrilled with his success, both for his own professional achievement and for the benefits he has brought to the Kaipara district through his increased skills, knowledge and contacts," Mr Drake said.
Among programmes developed by the Kaipara Development Agency which reflect the principles of economic development is the kumara industry network cluster Taste of Kaipara, which links restaurants with local food producers.
Another agency programme, Growing the Kai in Kaipara, resulted in a feature in the iconic food magazine Cuisine, exposure on Radio New Zealand and other high profile opportunities. Mr Smith said Growing the Kai in Kaipara was a perfect example of something that would not have happened had he not completed his economic development training.
"Economic development is about celebrating what's local. It works from the ground up, so it's important that Kaipara knows what it's doing and what it needs. "
Mr Smith is a fifth-generation Kaipara resident who grew up on a farm in Ruawai.
He has a bachelor of science degree with honours from the Royal Agricultural College in England and was New Zealand's only research intern at the European Parliament in Luxembourg.
When he returned from Britain, Mr Smith established Kauri Country, an eco-tourism business. He was appointed as the Kaipara District Economic Development Trust chief executive officer in 2002.
The Kaipara District Council created the Kaipara District Economic Development Trust to promote, encourage, foster and develop a dynamic and sustainable economy in the district.