Business North October 2021

40 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Kawerau: Putauaki Trust to page 0 Putauaki - custodians of the land from page 38 In 2019/20 the trust got Provincial Growth funding for the development of roads and infrastructure for the Industrial Park. 027 531 2549 Electrical Installations and Repairs Farm Services & Cowsheds Effluent & Irrigation Systems Commercial & Domestic Wiring Proud to support Putauaki Trust Proud providers to Putauaki Trust 0800 77 88 99 caseih@jml.co.nz • www.go2jacks.co.nz Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? They could be coolstores or packhouses, high- end food production and all the down stream businesses that will support those larger enterprises. Hopefully those businesses will provide jobs for not only the local community but also our own descendants.” The Trust’s first and, currently only, lease- holder is Waiu Dairy processing plant produc- ing high value niche products. “We’re landlord, shareholder and supplier so that has been a good story. There has been a lot of negative publicity in regard to Kawer- au, especially with the closing down of Norske Skog and the loss of jobs there. “With our land being available to new businesses, that must be a positive thing. And there are a lot of synergies for new businesses coming on board. “There’s the rail link from the container hub which is still on the horizon and that will make access to the Port a lot easier. And there’s access to renewable energy.” John says if the right industries with long- term sustainable businesses can be attracted to the industrial park providing jobs then communities like Kawerau can only enhance the Eastern Bay of Plenty. While Putauaki Trust has been quietly going about its business, it has helped to create a sense of well-being that most Kiwis take for granted. A large number of the Trust’s shareholders live in the small township of Te Teko, which the locals call Texas. There’s even a fast food joint called Texas Takeaways. Nestled on the banks of the Rangitaiki River, Te Teko is a lower socio/economic township and much of the Trust’s support goes back to the shareholders and Te Teko. “Since 2010 we’ve probably given out $5 million in dividends and another $4 million by way of grants including tertiary education, health, sport, community, marae and discre- tionary grants. We are big supporters of our Te Teko community.”