Regions can no longer ignore unpopular industries - Joyce
Attitudes are sometimes exasperating, Economic Development Minister says.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says while oil and gas will play a role in regional economic growth, diversity and developing new industries will be vital to economic success across New Zealand.
This comes after the government released a score card of the nation's regional economies, The Regional Economic Activity Report, this week.
This report shows that while area of New Zealand, such as Taranaki, Waikato and Auckland, have good economic growth, regions such as Northland, Wanganui and the East Coast are lagging behind.
The key to growth in these regions is diversity in local economies, Mr Joyce told TV3's The Nation.
"If Taranaki was just the dairy sector it would be another struggling region, even though it's an important dairy sector part of the country, but it's got oil and gas, has had that for a significant period of time," says Mr Joyce.
No longer can regions afford to ignore unpopular industries, like mining, intensive farming or aquaculture, says Mr Joyce, because this will be what brings the region economic growth.
"But what is a struggle is that some regions because of the discussion and the way it flows in a region basically don't even want to look, and that's a bit exasperating because many of the same people in the same regions would say we need more jobs for our people, but they just don't want to explore the opportunities."
The Minister says that the finalising of Treaty of Waitangi claims in Northland and East Coast will also help stimulate the Maori economic base.
NBR staff
Sun, 05 May 2013
Sun, 05 May 2013
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Regions can no longer ignore unpopular industries - Joyce
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