Editorial: Taking our regions forward

Bay of Connections chairman Doug Leeder said hundreds of hours of work had gone into the plan. Photo / Supplied

For years, perhaps longer, there's been much discussion about the state of "the regions" - a catch-all term often bandied about by politicians and television news readers.

Are they neglected, are they dying, or - with city dwellers fleeing the bright lights for cheaper homes and a better lifestyle - are they in fact on the up?

There have been positive signs in Rotorua in recent times with the property market booming, new developments and investors looking at us and efforts to revitalise the inner city.

Yesterday's launch of a new economic action plan for the wider Bay of Plenty will hopefully help continue that momentum.

Bay of Connections chairman Doug Leeder said hundreds of hours of work had gone into the plan, which developed action points for nine industries identified as key across the region.

Not everyone was happy with the plan. Rotorua Labour spokesman Tamati Coffey felt Rotorua had been "regionally rejected again" in favour of projects in Opotiki and Tauranga, while mayor Steve Chadwick commented there was "nothing big" in the plan for Rotorua specifically.

But she remained positive, saying being part of the wider region Rotorua would still benefit from it.

Grow Rotorua chief executive Francis Pauwels was much more enthusiastic - saying if "everything comes together", the initiatives could result in 600 more jobs in Rotorua over the coming years.

For a city the size of Rotorua that would be huge, but of course it depends on everything coming together as planned and having the impact hoped for.

Whether we have been rejected or will indeed gain hundreds of jobs remains to be seen. Perhaps the reality will fall somewhere in between.

The good news is the Government and economic agencies are not letting "the regions" rot. This is a significant plan and there are plenty of capable people working hard to now make it pay off.

And surely that's better than sitting back and awaiting our fate.