Opotiki District Council has announced a five year rates relief for Maori land owners looking to lead a kiwifruit development project at Omaio
The project will see up to 150 hectares of Maori-owned land converted from maize to kiwifruit orchards.
It will promote the sustainable development of whanau lands through leadership development, and support of education, health and aged and disability care.
Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell visited Omaio yesterday to find out more about the development and discuss the plans with whanau and landowners.
Opotiki District Council is working towards economic growth on a number of fronts and investigating kiwifruit production was one of the key recommendations highlighted in the Te Moana Bay of Plenty Action Plan released last year. Providing five years of rates remission to cover the years of development and growth will help support land owners to the point where a return can be made from the kiwifruit development.
Opotiki Mayor John Forbes said it was about small steps that can be taken to make a big difference to the national economy.
"When the Maori economy is booming, we are all winning. When small communities such as Omaio, are getting ahead, and when regional New Zealand is booming, it is a win for the national economy. This is a small contribution that our council can make to help the orchard get on their feet.
"But the numbers aren't small for this community - we are talking potentially 100 new jobs. So for Omaio and the surrounding areas, it will be a great opportunity and a massive shot in the arm for economic productivity in the area," he said.
Mr Forbes also acknowledged the importance of a united approach and the sort of thinking that allows projects like Omaio to get off the ground.
"This has required a brave approach from everyone involved. For Council, it really helps us to know that central government is working alongside us so that all the strands can come together."
"We are a small, rural council and we are working to make sure that our economy is growing and keeping up with changing economic realities. And in this instance, it is a fantastic opportunity to support a local initiative. It is 'local' in every sense - it is driven by a local hapu and landowners which will ensure that the benefits flow back to those that have mana whenua," he said.
Background:
-The kaupapa will see 30ha developed each year over 5 years (adding to the 150ha total). Opotiki District Council will apply a rates remission for five years on each parcel of 30ha as they are developed, so rates remissions will run for 10 years (although no more than 5 years on any one property).
- Council expects that the rates remissions will average around $60,000 per annum.
-Council's current remission policies state that a remission may be applied to a property to promote employment and economic development within the District by assisting new business. There are a number of conditions and criteria assigned to this policy and all applications are considered on a case by case basis
