The Western Bay of Plenty is home to three NZX-listed companies whose reach extends far beyond the region. Port of Tauranga, Seeka and Comvita have each built significant national and international businesses while remaining headquartered locally, generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue and supporting hundreds of jobs in the Bay.

The region’s three publicly listed companies, Port of Tauranga, Seeka Limited and Comvita, were all built from local foundations and remain headquartered here as they’ve expanded into national and international businesses.

Each has grown from one of the Western Bay’s traditional strengths. Seeka Limited emerged from Te Puke’s kiwifruit industry, Comvita built an international wellness brand from New Zealand’s natural products sector, and Port of Tauranga developed alongside the region’s role as a trade gateway.

Over decades they have helped shape the business ecosystem around them, investing in infrastructure, innovation, technology, skills and supply chains that benefit far more than their own operations.

All in the results

Their latest results show those investments continue to pay off.

Port of Tauranga delivered a record profit for the year to June 2026, with underlying net profit after tax reaching $155.3 million, and revenue of $486.5 million. With a workforce of 296 employees, the port handled 24.6 million tonnes of trade during the year, supported by productivity gains and ongoing investment in capacity. While total trade volumes were slightly lower, improvements in operational performance drove stronger earnings, highlighting the role innovation and efficiency now play in modern freight and logistics.

Seeka Limited has shown another record result for the year ending December 2025, reporting $440 million in operating revenue and $32 million net profit after tax, reflecting the continued strength of the kiwifruit sector, along with years of investment in automation and post-harvest capability. What began as a local post-harvest business now handles around 22% of New Zealand’s Zespri-supplied kiwifruit crop while maintaining its headquarters in Te Puke.The company employs more than 600 permanent employees and 3000 seasonal workers.

Comvita’s return to profitability tells a different story, but one that is equally important. The Paengaroa-based company reported $213 million in revenue and $7.7 million net profit after tax, having spent recent years reshaping its business and strengthening performance. Its latest result demonstrates the resilience needed to compete in global markets while remaining firmly connected to the region where it was founded more than 50 years ago. It employs 130 Bay of Plenty staff (a total of 344 country-wide), with 287 offshore employees.  

Connected by more than geography

The three companies have continued to invest locally as they have grown internationally. Their success supports growers, exporters, suppliers, contractors, researchers and emerging businesses across the Western Bay. They help create the networks, talent and opportunities that enable other companies to grow here too.

They are also significant employers in their own right, collectively providing jobs for well over 1,000 people (not including seasonal staff). From operational and production roles through to science, engineering, technology, logistics and corporate functions, they create career opportunities that allow people to build long-term futures in the region.

As their businesses have expanded, they have also helped attract specialist talent to the Western Bay, strengthening the skills base available to other employers and contributing to a more diverse and capable workforce. That investment strengthens the regional economy and helps create the conditions for the next generation of businesses to succeed.

Their stories demonstrate that globally relevant companies can be built from the Western Bay of Plenty, and that staying connected to the region can be a source of strength rather than a constraint. As the region looks ahead, that may be one of its greatest competitive advantages.

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