Study positive about Port Whangarei

3 September, 2003

ENTERPRISE NORTHLAND MARINE DEVELOPMENT GROUP : MEDIA RELEASES 2003

An initial study into whether Port Whangarei might be redeveloped as an internationally recognised centre for marine servicing and ship construction has been welcomed as "positive" by the economic development agencies and marine businesses involved.

The study for the Enterprise Northland Marine Development Group and funded by Advance Whangarei Limited, Enterprise Northland, and a number of marine businesses, has found that the potential development opportunities related to the port warrant further investigation.

Group deputy chairman and Advance Whangarei director, Rod Gates, says the study, which was undertaken by international consulting firm L.E.K., can not be released publicly because of commercial sensitivity.

However Mr Gates says the findings "confirm assumptions by local businesses that international growth in demand for marine construction and servicing provide good prospects for this sector of the Northland economy."

"The potential for Port Whangarei to become an internationally recognised centre for marine business warrants fuller investigation, and the group is now considering this."

In announcing the study in June, group chairman Malcolm Nicolson said the advent of the new deep water port at Marsden Point and consequential opportunity to redevelop Port Whangarei has provided Northland with a-once-in-a-lifetime industry, business and social development opportunity.

"As a pro-economic development group we have an obligation to test the opportunities, and support them where proven," Mr Nicolson said.

Mr Gates says a full feasibility study would look in detail at issues such as infrastructure development, international marketing and increasing the capability of the Northland marine sector.

"As it is, the initial study provides sound independent advice on future trends in the international market that local businesses can use as a basis for rational forward planning. "

Mr Gates says the potential to redevelop Port Whangarei has also caught the attention of the Minister for Economic Development, Hon Jim Anderton.

"In recent visits to Whangarei he and his officials in New Zealand Trade and Enterprise have been briefed on the study and the opportunities it reveals for repositioning the Northland marine sector to capitalise on the growing South Pacific market for new leisure boats and refits."

"Mr Anderton has commended the Enterprise Northland Marine Development Group for treating this as a regional initiative and for working collaboratively, and he has indicated a willingness to look at providing Government support for a detailed investigation into the development options and opportunities."

Mr Gates adds that there have also been expressions of interest from the marine industry in being involved in a full study. "We are not at liberty to identify these parties but their interest is welcomed and will now form part of the formal deliberations into a full feasibility study."

For further information:
Rod Gates
Chairman
Enterprise Northland Marine Development Group
(021) 272 7089