December 12, 2017
Opotiki harbour upgrade becomes political football
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones is keen to see progress made on a new harbour and wharf for Opotiki.
The development is critical to Te Whakatohea's plans for large scale aquaculture in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
National says the expansion could cost up to $150 million and is raising questions about whether it will give value for money.
Mr Jones says National promoted the scheme while in Government and he's disappointed it has now chosen to polarise and politicise it.
He says while Whakatohea is focused on its offshore mussel farm, it is also looking at other species like farmed hapuka, kingfish and even seahorses.
"Full marks to the local investors and Whakatohea wanting to grow an aquaculture business in the open seas. Obviously over time such a major development is going to need onshore infrastructure and I think that's what drove Steven Joyce in the last government to look favourably at this development," Mr Jones says.
The decision on funding the harbour upgrade will be one for the full cabinet.
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