Tauranga City

The Bay of Plenty economy is founded on a diverse and robust industry base, providing the region with millions of dollars in export earnings. The business community is full of entrepreneurial spirit and drive, with strong networks and assistance to make it easy to do business from the Bay.

The result is a vibrant, innovative community envied by those not yet part of it.

A thriving agricultural area, Tauranga is well known for its fertile soils, popular with commercial growers and weekend gardeners alike. New start-up companies are involved in bio-pharmaceuticals and genetics, natural product extraction, innovative wood processing equipment, the production of exotic Asian vegetables and herbs for export and edible fungi. There are also opportunities in aqua culture, including land based fish farms.

The region is committed to building infrastructure ahead of growth and has a comprehensive 50 year plan in place to ensure the quality of life is maintained as the area develops. A $759 million roading network is underway and there are over 600 hectares of business land coming onstream in the next few years. Comprising 200 hectares, Tauriko Business Estate provides a substantial component, making it one of the biggest industrial parks in Australasia. When complete it will house hundreds of businesses and employ up to 5,000 people.

The Bay of Plenty hosts New Zealand's largest export port, Port of Tauranga. Combined with their inland Auckland, MetroPort, a well-planned urban infrastructure, fantastic climate, and proximity to New Zealand's largest urban centre, this has made the region a logical choice for both domestic and export focused businesses to base themselves.

Over seven million tonnes of exports and close to five million tonnes of imports cross the Port's wharves each year. Port of Tauranga is located to serve New Zealand's major population base, and important export earning industries located in the golden triangle, comprising the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland regions. Combined with strategic land holdings of 176 hectares, world-class productivity and an unrivalled road and railway access, Port of Tauranga is well positioned to get exports into the marketplace, at the lowest costs. Port of Tauranga is committed to treating every customer as a valued partner, to find shipping an supply chain solutions that are efficient, innovative, and profitable for the importer and exporter.

Tauranga is also home to one of the country's largest exporters, ZESPRI International, the biggest fertiliser manufacturer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and the fourth largest electricity generator and retailer, TrustPower. The region has excelled in growing kiwifruit and avocado, boat building and marine services, software development, transport and logistics, design, manufacturing and engineering, aqua culture and food processing.

Smart Economy is the economic development strategy for the region, forming a partnership between the region's business support organisations and agencies, education and training providers, local and central government and key industry sectors. Implementation commenced in 2004 and is administered and monitored by Priority One, the economic development agency for the region.

The current priorities and areas of focus for Smart Economy are:

• Tertiary education and research to develop the requires skill resources to meet industry needs and to encourage business innovation and the commercialisation of ideas.
• Innovation/business parks to provide competitive advantages for key business sectors such as horticulture, food processing, ICT, marine services and logistics.
• Encourage growth of the export sector.
• Facilitate the redevelopment of the central business district.
• Infrastructure development and security in the areas of power and telecommunications to support business and stimulate economic growth.

Given its proximity to other major centres and with Tauranga being home to Australasian's most efficient port, it is no wonder that there is strong interest from organisations considering investment in and relocation to the region. It is also no surprise that many of these organisations are choosing to make the Tauriko Business Estate their home.

If you’re thinking of relocating your business to or investing in the Tauriko Business Park, Priority One can work with you every step of the way. We are the economic development agency for the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region, founded by the business community and funded by business membership and the sub-region’s local authorities. This makes us a unique structure in New Zealand, providing us with an independence to ensure the best outcomes for business in working with local government.

One of our key areas of focus is the attraction of productive and rapidly growing businesses. We work closely with local authorities to ensure business needs and aspirations are understood, and facilitate business growth by removing impediments to the establishment and development of business. A major area of work has been the progression of concepts around the development of business parks and centres of excellence to effectively utilise industrial and commercial land as it comes on stream.

The Bay of Plenty business environment is diverse, innovative and highly connected. Tauranga city alone has experienced 33 per cent growth in the last 10 years, creating a strong climate of goodwill and support within the business community, who are keen to collaborate to ensure the Bay remains a fantastic place from which to do business. For employers, the strong population growth means a plentiful supply of skills and labour exists in the region, providing workforce accessibility and stability. There are also a number of networks and clusters to assist in the growth and development of businesses and create commercial opportunities.

Priority One has the experience and contacts to enable your business to flourish in the Tauriko Business Park - visit www.priorityone.co.nz