Marty Verry
New Government policy that will benefit the regions is being met with open arms in Rotorua with city leaders saying they are pleased money is finally being spent outside the main centres. Source: The New Zealand Herald
The coalition agreement between Labour and New Zealand First has been released, which sets out policy for the new Government.
It is the result of 12 days of negotiations which ultimately saw New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and his party choose to put Labour into power.
Among the policies getting the nod is a $1 billion a year Regional Development (Provincial Growth) Fund as well as significant investment in regional rail.
The new Government will also re-establish the New Zealand Forestry Service, and Rotorua has put up its hand to be the home of the new service.
Red Stag group chief executive Marty Verry said Red Stag had offered land at Waipa area near the mountain bike carpark during the campaign period if the Government wanted to build the Forestry Service hub in the city.
“We will see if they want to talk.”
Mr Verry said any such development would be great news for Rotorua and would be a good fit for the commercial precinct being developed in that area, which included a spa business, mountain bike shop, bar and cafe.
Mr Verry said Labour and NZ First offered a “sweet” of re-establishing the Forestry Service during the campaign period but he would like to see the whole promise of a wood first policy brought in.
Labour announced at the start of September while in Rotorua that the Forestry Service would be set up as part of the Ministry for Primary Industries.
