Ōpōtiki District Council today announced a five year rates relief for Māori land owners looking to lead a kiwifruit development project at Ōmaio

The kaupapa (project) will see up to 150 hectares of Māori-owned land converted from maize to kiwifruit orchards. The kaupapa will promote the sustainable development of whanau lands through leadership development, and support of education, health and aged and disability care. Today, the Minister of Māori Development Te Ururoa Flavell, visited Ōmaio to find out more about the development and discuss the plans with whanau and landowners.

Ōpōtiki 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.

Ōpōtiki Mayor, John Forbes, said that it was about small steps that can be taken to make a big difference to the national economy.

“When the Māori economy is booming, we are all winning. When small communities such as Ōmaio, 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 Ōmaio and the surrounding areas, it will be a great opportunity and a massive shot in the arm for economic productivity in the area.

The Mayor also acknowledged the importance of a united approach and the sort of thinking that allows projects like Ōmaio 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 hapū and landowners which will ensure that the benefits flow back to those that have mana whenua,” Mr Forbes said.

The Council recognises that considerable investment is required to get this project up and running. Rates relief provided a simple mechanism to remove one of the roadblocks. In particular, the long-established remissions policy recognises the specific difficulties of developing Māori land, including multiple or fragmented ownership, difficult locations and lack of in infrastructure.

“Owners are investing considerable money into their properties to better utilise them, create revenue, jobs, and enable further business in the District, we want to help facilitate this,” Mr Forbes said.

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