What we do

Our competitive advantage

• OVERVIEW
• Marine Services
• Food & Beverage
• Technology
• Chemical Industry
• Transportation & Logistics
• Tauranga City Centre
• Networks & Working Groups
• Other Organisations

OVERVIEW

Priority One’s Primary Strategic Actions

• Advocate for and lead the development of business and industrial innovation parks and centres of excellence in the areas of:
  • Marine
  • Food, horticulture & nutraceuticals
  • Information & communications technology (ICT)
• Stimulate, support and, where appropriate, lead key industry clusters and working groups.
• Undertake research to determine the demographics and needs of sub-regional businesses and monitor trends over time.
• Identify and effectively market the region’s competitive advantages.

OVERVIEW

The Western Bay of Plenty sub-region is one of the fastest growing areas in the country.  In recent years, residential construction, manufacturing and retail industries have boosted economic growth, building on the traditionally strong horticultural and agricultural base.  However the sub-region needs to undertake sustained economic development initiatives to assist in achieving a balanced and dynamic economy.  This will ensure it is at the leading edge in the national and international competition for economic growth.

We recognise that sustainable economic development requires a move up the value chain so that outputs are based on adding significant value to primary products rather than simply providing basic commodities.  Our aim is to create and enhance the Western Bay’s competitive and comparative advantages so that we retain highly productive businesses and talented people, and attract business and inward investment.  In particular, our focus is on those businesses that have a disproportionate ability to grow, that demand highly talented and skilled people and that export to international markets.  We operate in a competitive world, and our advantages must outweigh the offerings of other regions both nationally and internationally.

WHY SET UP BUSINESS IN TAURANGA?

A recent study has shown that Tauranga is one of the country’s top places from which to do business.  Nine different types of ‘attractiveness’ indicators that businesses are likely to consider when deciding where to locate were calculated and compared in Tauranga, Auckland, and a number of other main centres.  These included the cost of property, the cost and availability of skilled labour, the ease of getting around, access to an airport and/or port, housing affordability, lifestyle and the quality of education.

Tauranga emerged as a clear front runner, offering nearly one third more advantages than Auckland particularly in the key economic drivers of property and labour costs.  Average office rental is 40 per cent cheaper and average warehouse space 15 per cent cheaper in Tauranga.  The difference was even more significant in the cost of hiring labour, with employers paying an average of 21 per cent less in Tauranga than in Auckland.  Other marked advantages for Tauranga were that its roads were 63 per cent less congested than Auckland, it had easier access to both the port and airport, and had a far superior lifestyle.

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