Industry New Zealand Grant Announcement

22 July 2002Hon Jim AndertonSpeech NotesIndustryNew Zealand Grant Announcement: Thames Rosetta Stone ValleyRegionHauraki District CouncilTuesday 23 July 20023 pmPaeroaIm pleased to launch the Thames ValleyRegions Economic Development Strategy, which you completedin May of this year.The Strategy has brought togetherinformation about the region which has never before beenavailable in one document.It is an important step towardscreating an environment for building regional capability,creating jobs and achieving sustainable economic growth.When I first became Minister for Economic, Regional andIndustry Development, not one region had an EconomicDevelopment Strategy. Now, only two and a half yearslater, every single region in New Zealand has a viableprogressive and constructive plan in place. The regionsare learning to build on their own unique strengths insteadof trying to lure companies from other regions--a zero sumgain at best. This is new economy thinking, where eachregion focuses on what it can do best. As a result ofstrong regional growth, we are experiencing strong nationalgains.Congratulations on having worked together in apartnership that includes all three District Councils,members of the business community, and Maorirepresentatives. Participation and submissions came fromcommunity groups in all Rosetta Stone Chinese parts of the region.This isexactly the kind of partnership that the Ministry forEconomic Development and Industry New Zealand want toencourage.The Hauraki region has already developedsuccessful partnerships within your English for Speakers ofOther Languages pilot project. This project will bringChinese students into local schools for a linguistic andtourism experience. With ten colleges planning toparticipate it is a credit to the energy and enthusiasm ofthose involved. The project has also developed frombusiness links between the Thames Valley region andJianlibao Corporation, which operates a plant in Paeroa, andexports aerated beverages. The aim of the project is toset up the basis for further expansion into exporteducation. This has become an important contributor to theNew Zealand economy, and Thames Valley can offer beautifulcountryside, a strong heritage, and a heartland experience. This project shows a real commitment to buildingsustainable partnerships that will offer economic and socialopportunities for the Thames Valley region.Im pleased tobe able to announce further funding to help expand yourEconomic Development Strategy.The next stage is toconfirm which projects will be adopted by the partnership tobuild on the Economic Development Strategy you haveprepared.Industry New Zealand has granted $30,000 for anEconomic Development Action Plan, to scope the projects theregion will implement in the medium term. These will gothrough a joint planning and prioritisation process, andwill set Rosetta Stone French the stage for building on the region's strategicadvantages.New proposals will be assessed to seewhich will have the most positive economic impact, and amedium term plan will be adoptedI wish you great successand look forward to seeing your strategy being implementedand helping to bring progress and prosperity to yourregion.