WHAKATŌHEA LEAD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OPOTIKI

In 2010 The Board conducted a survey - He Oranga o Te Rohe o Te Whakatōhea Wellbeing Survey 2010. The survey information was gathered through face-to-face interviews with 750 members of Whakatōhea whānau who were 15 years or older and living in the immediate Ōpōtiki area. The purpose of the survey was to collect information about the wellbeing of Whakatōhea iwi members. The final report provides a comprehensive profile of Whakatōhea individuals, households and hapū and identified whānau economic security as a priority whānau ora outcome. The Survey data highlighted the need for Whakatōhea to seek solutions to key issues with particular focus on youth; economic development, employment and increased incomes.

Whakatōhea Maori Trust Board perceives economic growth to be a high level issue that can be addressed through a strategic approach. While the Board wishes to enable economic growth through a relevant and clearly articulated economic development strategy; a strategy must also take into account the history and desired future of Te Whakatōhea and their values in relation to both people and place. The project is therefore not a “regional economic development strategy’. Rather it is the Whakatōhea Economic Development Strategy. As such it links to the economic strategy for the Bay of Plenty Region, but it is defined in its focus to the symbiotic relationship between Te Whakatōhea people and their Rohe.

The Board has contracted BERL an economic research organisation based in Wellington to complete a four stage project with the following measurable outcomes:

Phase 1	A report which provides the Board with an articulate and complete profile of: Whakatōhea assets; An infrastructure gap analysis; and, Areas of potential economic development
Phase 2	A report that communicates Whakatōhea’s perception of their economic potential that highlights cultural, social and economic factors of importance that will help shape the economic development strategy
Phase 3	A draft economic development strategy prepared for consultation with hapū and whānau living outside the Rohe
Phase 4	A final Whakatōhea Economic Development Strategy.

This week a presentation of findings from phases 1 & 2 were delivered to Whakatōhea Maori Trust Board Governance, Management and staff; Whakatōhea Hapū including Lands Trustees and the wider community of Ōpōotiki. The Ōpōtiki District Council, businesses and community members attended the final presentation.

Phase 3 &4 are due for completion end of September 2011. Consultation will be on-going with the Board attending Hapū hui at their respective marae.

To view the presentation from BERL Economic please download the document below.