Western Bay of Plenty City & Regional Deal
What's the deal with the Regional Deal?
The Government’s City and Regional Deals are focused on unlocking economic growth, improving housing supply, and investing in connected, resilient infrastructure through long-term, place-based partnerships.
The Western Bay of Plenty subregion is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions, but growth comes with challenges. The intent of the regional deal is to help unlock our subregion’s full potential and improve liveability – creating opportunities for economic growth, jobs, new housing and better, connected infrastructure.
A big step forward for the Western Bay.
A significant step has already been taken with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the beginning of formal negotiations with the Government. We’re prepared, with well-developed plans, strong alignment across all levels of government, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach to managing growth.
This alignment is underpinned by the SmartGrowth initiative, our subregion’s growth management strategy, developed with input from local authorities and tangata whenua. Central to this is the Future Development Strategy.
Key goals of the proposed deal include:
- Unlocking opportunities for economic growth
- Creating connected and resilient infrastructure
- Improving the supply and affordability of housing.
What's in it for the Western Bay of Plenty?
What we hope to achieve
- Enable the delivery of up to 40,000 homes
- Support the creation of 35,000 jobs
- Unlock new industrial land
- Deliver real GDP growth of 4.5% per year
How would this improve life in the Western Bay?
- Delivering more housing, and improving affordability
- Attracting new businesses and investment
- Improving regional transport connectivity
- Supporting wage growth and job opportunities
- Improving access to education, health care and other essential services
- Unlocking new funding and financing tools to manage growth and maintain liveability
- Giving certainty: certainty drives confidence, confidence drives investment
Graphic on left outlines priorities for the Western Bay that will inform the regional deal. These priorities are grounded in the SmartGrowth strategy and shared by all three local councils.
Working together with a long-term plan in play
A regional deal will give us access to:
- A partnership with central government to tackle the real issues and manage growth
- An economic growth plan that has rigour, certainty and commitment
- Long-term certainty for strong partnerships
The deal framework is based on a 30-year vision, with negotiated 10-year strategic plans to deliver the shared priorities agreed to.
Where are we in the process?
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| MOU signed with Government | June 2025 |
| Negotiations underway | Started in August 2025 |
| Agreement in Principle | Targeted for October |
| Final terms to Cabinet and councils | by November |
| The first deal is expected to be announced by Government | by the end of this year |
| Second and third deals are likely to be announced | in February/March 2026 |
Once negotiated, the deal will need to be approved by elected members from all three councils.
Find out more
Media releases
Western Bay of Plenty moves closer to an infrastructure and growth partnership with Government
The Western Bay of Plenty subregion is pleased to announce it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with central government to progress a Regional Deal. The MOU outlines the…
Western Bay of Plenty regional deal – Leading New Zealand’s Growth
26 February 2025 The Western Bay of Plenty subregion has today submitted a proposal for inclusion in theGovernment’s City and Regional Deals programme. Regional Deals are a new initiative where…
Western Bay of Plenty Seeks Government Partnership to Fuel Economic Growth, Housing, and Jobs Through Regional Deal
17th December 2024 Western Bay of Plenty Seeks Government Partnership to Fuel Economic Growth, Housing, and Jobs Through Regional Deal The Western Bay of Plenty subregion has today registered its…