22 | Better work-life balance in Whangarei Richard Loader Marsden Maritime Holdings owns a significant amount of land behind the port, opening up opportunities for future development. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Northland: NorthChamber - Marsden Maritime Holdings With plenty of projects underway and in the wings, Northland is enjoying significant development and economic growth, says NorthChamber CEO Steve Smith. That’s positive outlook is reflected in the June ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard, which has the region sitting at tie third place. A decade of population growth and increased commercial activity has piqued interest from those looking to establish businesses or families in the region, and particularly so in Whangārei. Many people look to Northland as a region where they can achieve a better work/life balance. “People can work from home and earn similar money, it’s a little cheaper to live, often less travel time, and arguably better weather. If you like the outdoors, the north has got plenty to offer. If you like the water it’s the place to be. Hotel groups want to establish a presence here and as a Chamber of Commerce we are regularly approached by other businesses considering setting up here.” Steve says Whangārei has been home to a number of highly successful businesses, including Hansen Products — an innovative manufacturing company, and the lunch box darling Sistema Plastics was originally based there. McKay Electrical is a leading electrical engineering company, operating nationally and internationally, and responsible for the bulk of the electronics in Wellington’s pioneering electric passenger ferry. Culham Engineering is a major heavy steel engineering business in Whangāreii who provided the steel work in the Sky City structure in Auckland. Then you have Donovans which is predominantly a steel hardware business and steel fabricator, with a big presence in Whangarei, utilising innovation with technology. “We are also home to one of the largest big truck operators in New Zealand, cutting edge marine engineering industries and award-winning tourism operations” says Steve. “And, similar to many parts of New Zealand, there’s an ocean of small business operators.” While much of the region’s construction has been residential there have also been some major commercial developments including the Ngawha development in Kaikohe, which is an economic development zone. “There are a variety of different strings to it including horticulture, as well as other green based service industries on energy and recycling. NorthTec is also building a hub there, which is an extension of the Whangarei campus. There have been developments going on in Whangārei City itself including the newly opened Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery, the Pūtahi Park and now the new Civic Centre being built. The council will move into it from their current space in about February next year. All these projects and others create, opportunity, employment and work for our local businesses.” Currently undergoing due diligence, is the proposed construction of an Event Centre on the foreshore. “That building may precipitate one, if not two, hotels in a relatively short time frame,” says Steve. “The project will involve $59 million in central government funds and about $30 million in local funds, none of which is from the rate payer. NorthChamber is supportive of this project because apart from providing a fit-for-purpose events centre it continues the momentum of economic growth which we see as being so important. It becomes obvious that the region is progressing when you see another project forming on the shoulders of another. We’ve never really had that before and it’s something we’re keen to see continue. It sends a message that this is a place to consider investing in.” “People can work from home and earn similar money, it’s a little cheaper to live, often less travel time, and arguably better weather. If you like the outdoors, the north has got plenty to offer. If you like the water it’s the place to be.” HILLCON Group is a leader in the Northland building industry, encompassing all aspects of construction with our three companies, HILLCON Structures, Hill Construction and Coresteel Buildings Northland. As a Northland owned and operated company, we’ve spent more than 35 years dedicated to the success of our clients and community. We’re proud to be one of Northland’s largest commercial and industrial construction groups. www.hillcongroup.co.nz | 09 438 6137 | admin@hillcon.co.nz | 121 Port Road, Whangarei MANGONUI phone: 027 435 1606 In that same vein, Steve says there is the development of Whangārei’s natural assets. “Marsden Maritime Holdings is looking to develop aspects of the foreshore in line with what they normally do — which is build marinas and maritime infrastructure, which supports the local marine industry.” “Marsden Maritime owns a significant amount of land behind the port, opening up opportunities for future development. This will likely result in some very interesting new businesses, some of which are very innovative. There’s also a lot of land there for residential construction as well.” Another project offering some major development on the waterfront is the vision for Port Nikau which aims at providing high quality residential and commercial opportunities. NorthChamber is also working with NorthTec, where due diligence is well underway to shift the campus from its current site in Raumanga on the western edge of Whangarei, to as close as possible to the city centre. “NorthChamber have championed the revitalisation of the CBD and have long held that having a tertiary education hub in the city centre will help facilitate this and it will bring significant foot traffic back into the CBD. “There is an opportunity to completely rebuild tertiary education for Northland, including the brand. We can become more competitive with other tertiary education providers, and there are prospects to link in with research and specialised areas that pertain specifically to our region such as the primary sector including marine. This will retain and attract our youth.”
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