Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones joined leaders from Tē Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea this morning for the opening of the upgraded Pākihikura (Ōpōtiki) Harbour.
As well as the two 450m breakwaters extending out to sea, the $115 million redevelopment includes continuing dredging of a channel to enable larger vessels to use the facility in most sea and tide conditions.
It was funded by the Provincial Growth Fund and the New Zealand Upgrade Programme, with Bay of Plenty Regional Council providing co-funding of $20m.
Mr Jones says it paves the way for the development of a commercial marina and other businesses, supporting the future growth of the aquaculture sector in the Bay of Plenty.
The Ōpōtiki town wharf has been upgraded to accommodate mussel boats as an interim measure while the private marina and commercial wharf work progresses.
A new marina will safely berth boats and enable produce to be easily transferred to the Whakatōhea mussel-processing factory in Ōpōtiki rather than by road from Whakatāne
