Ōpōtiki breakwater criticism churlish says Jones

Adam Gifford Shane Jones | Ōpōtiki breakwater criticism churlish says Jones

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Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says investment in infrastructure in Ōpōtiki will add resilience to the region’s economy.

He was in the eastern Bay of Plenty town on Friday to open the $115 million harbour redevelopment including two breakwaters stretching 450 metres out to sea.

He says there has been little investment in Ōpōtiki since Rogernomics laid waste to the town 40 years ago, and the crown has few options to turn things around.

While the programme has drawn fire from Tim Herewini of Whakatōhea Ngāi Tamahaua hapū, Mr Jones says the crown has limited option when it comes to investing in the area.

“Ōpōtiki, because the crown invested historically in the mussel industry and that infrastructure, I think it’s churlish and quite frankly negative for anyone from Ōpōtiki to want to politicise that investment,” Mr Jones says.

The new infrastructure will support developments like the Whakatōhea mussel farm and processing factory.

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