Whole-of-Northland economic plan to be developed
MEDIA STATEMENT - Mike Sabin National MP - Thursday 19th March 2012
Mike Sabin, MP for Northland is pleased to announce confirmed dates for two whole-of-Northland economic summits in June and July which he hopes will see the formation of an overarching economic plan for the Northland region.
“ The principal guest speaker at the June conference will be the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Bill English, and the July conference will host the Minister for Economic Development, Hon Steven Joyce” Mr Sabin says.
“The objective of the economic summits is to provide a platform for the productive sectors across the Northland economy to develop a cohesive, overarching plan to better enable the region to achieve its true economic potential, “ Mr Sabin says.
Invitees will include representatives of Northland industry sector groups, including agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, minerals, power generation, tourism, Forestry, Marine, Hi-tech IT based industry as well as Iwi groups, regional and local councils, Enterprise Northland health and education providers.
“Northland has unfortunately gained the reputation for social and economic underperformance and while there have been numerous reports conducted over many years in this region, I believe it's time to quantify the opportunities that Northland represents and ensure we have a platform to deliver on the tremendous potential this region has.”
“The core focus of the summits will be to ask those sector groups to identify the factors that will most assist their particular industry in Northland to grow and what the major impediments are standing in the way of achieving that growth.”
“By developing economic cohesion in this manner I hope to be more able to demonstrate a business case for Northland Inc. within the parliamentary environment as to where resources, infrastructure and policies need to be to get the best results to improve economic performance and reduce welfare dependence, social dysfunction and crime,” Mr Sabin says.
“We have the potential, the people and the know-how, we have just struggled to have a whole-of-region approach and plan capable of delivering the outcomes we need, which I hope this process can address.”
Also in attendance at the June summit will be the Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister of Housing, Whangarei MP, Hon Phil Heatley. Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs and Co-Leader of the Maori Party will attend the July summit.
The economic summits will be held at the Copthorne Hotel, Waitangi on 6th June and 10th July, 2012. A media conference will precede the start of each session.
Invitations will go out over the coming weeks but those wishing to register their interest in attending should contact the Northland Electorate office on 09 4077219 or northlandelectorate@parliament.govt.nz