A rendering of the Takitimu North Link Image NZTA
The Government has signed a new City and Regional Deal with Western Bay of Plenty councils, setting out a long-term partnership aimed at managing rapid growth, improving infrastructure and boosting the region’s role as one of New Zealand’s key economic hubs.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced the agreement, which brings together Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council with central Government.
Mr Bishop said the agreement was the second City and Regional Deal signed by the Government, following Auckland last month, and fulfilled a commitment in the National-ACT coalition agreement.
He described the Western Bay of Plenty as “one of New Zealand’s economic powerhouses”, highlighting its importance in kiwifruit, forestry, freight, logistics and manufacturing.
“When Western Bay of Plenty does well, New Zealand does well,” Mr Bishop said.
He said the region was critical to the country’s export economy through the Port of Tauranga and key freight routes connecting exporters to international markets.
The deal builds on the existing SmartGrowth partnership and focuses on six key areas: partnership and investment, transport infrastructure, land and housing development, social infrastructure, export growth and economic diversification.
Under the agreement, a new Western Bay of Plenty sub-regional spatial plan will identify three major growth corridors — the Eastern Corridor around the Tauranga Eastern Link, the Northern Corridor including Omokoroa and Katikati, and the Western Corridor at Tauriko West.
The Government estimates growth in those areas, combined with intensification in existing urban centres, could deliver around 12,000 new greenfield homes and 3,000 infill homes over the next decade.
Mr Bishop said transport infrastructure remained a major focus, with the Takitimu North Link Stage 2 project and Tauriko West Roads of National Significance identified as priorities for future transport funding plans.
The deal also introduces a proposed funding partnership model where local asset recycling could be combined with Crown funding uplifts to jointly finance agreed infrastructure projects, particularly improvements along State Highway 2.
Health and education infrastructure planning will also form part of the partnership, with joint planning groups to be established alongside projected housing growth.
Mr Watts said the agreement aimed to ensure growth in the Western Bay was “well planned, well connected and backed by the infrastructure communities need”.
“The Western Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions and plays a critical role as a trade and export hub,” he said.
The deal includes a 10-year partnership framework guided by a 30-year vision branding the region as “New Zealand’s Global Trade Gateway”.
A Western Bay of Plenty Deal Oversight Board will be established to coordinate delivery, with a detailed implementation plan due within six months.
