Four councils in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have partnered to develop a Regional Deal Proposal aimed at boosting economic growth, infrastructure, and resilience.

Whakatāne District, Kawerau District, Ōpōtiki District, and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils have joined forces to propose the Eastern Bay of Plenty Regional Deal.

The proposal seeks a long-term partnership with Central Government to secure funding and resources for economic growth, productivity, and infrastructure development over a 30-year vision.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder said the proposal focuses on building resilience and economic growth across the sub-region.

“We’re focusing on increasing housing in new areas, making sure there’s good planning and investment for community amenities."

"We’re also working on improving transport connections to make key freight routes more resilient and efficient, which will help with supply chains and connectivity for new housing areas,” Leeder said.

He added that growth projects in Ōpōtiki, Kawerau, and Whakatāne would build on existing specialisations to support economic development, aligning with government, private sector, and iwi investments.

The priorities in the proposal align with other key planning documents, including the draft Eastern Bay Spatial Plan and the upcoming refresh of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Economic Development Strategy.

Whakatāne District Council Mayor Dr Victor Luca welcomed the collaborative approach, stating, “We are better together.”

Kawerau District Council Mayor Faylene Tunui said the Council was pleased to contribute to a “light touch” regional deal proposal.

“Kawerau brings real strength in industrial capacity, supply chains, and energy resilience. We’re keen to work together with our cousins to lift our contribution to New Zealand Inc.,” Tunui said.

Ōpōtiki District Council Mayor David Moore said the regional deal provided an opportunity for councils to find common ground and align their efforts for better community outcomes.

“This is one of the ways we can support each other and coordinate our approaches. A nudge here and there, a ‘light touch’ can make a big difference,” Moore said.

Regional Deal Proposals have also been submitted for Western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua-Taupō sub-regions.

Central Government will assess regions based on criteria in the Regional Deal Strategic Framework, with a decision on the first regions to proceed expected in May 2025. The first regional deal is set to be finalised in December 2025.