News & Events | Priority One Western Bay of Plenty

Closing the year in a good economic position, with exciting prospects for the region in 2018

As we look back on 2017, it’s obvious that this year has been a great one for our regional economy. Businesses in Tauranga and the Western Bay have been thriving on the back of favourable...

Priority One's vision for a unique, bold, innovative and future focused region

More people are bypassing Auckland and heading for attractive coastal cities like Tauranga and rural towns such as Te Puke and Katikati. Aucklanders are also selling up, cashing and moving for...

What are our expectations for the region with the change of government?

We have noted with interest the new government’s position and policies from an economic perspective. It certainly raises the questions of what do these mean for the region and what should...

Business focused strategy to underpin sustainable economic growth

We’ve recently taken the opportunity to refresh our economic development strategy at Priority One. It’s really important that we ensure our organisational strategy is in line with...

Tauranga city abuzz during week of innovation

August saw the inaugural Groundswell event held - Tauranga's festival of innovation. Priority One was proud to put on this event and we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest...

Unique industry collaboration drives establishment of new high-tech research institute in the Bay

By now you’ll probably have heard that the government recently approved our proposal for a new regional research Institute to be based in the Western Bay sub-region. This is an absolute...

Bay shines as culture of collaboration drives innovation

One of the first things I noticed when I started working for Priority One was the strong culture of collaboration that exists in the Western Bay sub-region. The ethos of trust and working...

Business leaders confident but attracting skills a barrier to growth

As a business member-based economic development agency – a unique model in New Zealand – it’s essential that Priority One’s work is aligned to the needs and aspirations of...

Maori economy critical to the future success of the Bay

Sometimes we get asked about the Māori economy and economic development in this area. People are interested in this; Māori are major stakeholders and contributors to economic growth in the...

Encouraging signs for the regional economy

March saw the release of a new batch of annual statistics - generally these make great reading for the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region. There are a couple of areas that I'd like to...

Maximising business growth through technology

I hope that the festive season has treated you well and that you are on track for a successful 2017. I've recently had a number of discussions around digital change - what it is, how it happens...

Region's competitive advantages bring Bay expat home to Tauranga

As you might be aware, I have recently started working at Priority One. Like many others, I've moved to the Bay of Plenty from Auckland, although I was lucky enough to have been born and...

STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB MARKET CATALYSTS FOR NEW BUSINESS

Building a great city and region requires aspirational leadership and a clarity of vision that inspires people to act on the potential they see. Last month Priority One launched its...

KEY ASPECTS OF CHANGE IMPACTING ON THE FUTURE LEADERSHIP OF BUSINESS

Are you and your managers prepared for the leadership challenges of the future? At the end of September Priority One partnered with the Management School at the University of Waikato to host a...

Innovation spotlight shines on Tauranga and the Western Bay

The local economy is undergoing a significant transformation, with an increase in business moving here, a rise in startup companies and strong job growth resulting in the diversification of key...

Tauranga is a city of opportunity - for everyone

Among the many initiatives we are involved in, Priority One’s most critical economic development role is the growth, attraction and retention of skilled, talented and creative people. Our...

Economic development gets the Tarantino touch

The desirability, viability and flexibility of Tauranga as the location of New Zealand’s third film studio got a nudge in July with a very unique occurrence. Writer/director Anton Steel...

Nurturing the Bay's emerging little Einsteins

“I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious.” That’s the Albert Einstein quote on the House of Science t-shirts and it sums up what this incredible organisation...