Northland’s Aquaculture Development Group

Enterprise Northland staff held the inaugural meeting of Northland’s Aquaculture Development Group in Whangarei on 13 December 2011. This group is industry-led, includes iwi, regulatory experts and large R&D and innovation companies. This group is an “action” group. A draft strategy for Northland and a plan for the next 12 months up to 10 years has already been developed at the first meeting. The details of this strategy will be made available in early 2012. The group also plans to hold an Aquaculture Forum in 2012. This will include a wider membership in order to gain feedback and support from other parties.

Lee West was appointed chairman of Northland’s Aquaculture Development Group at the group's first meeting. Lee is CEO of Te Aupōuri and Managing Director of Westcorp and is also involved with the Parengarenga Incorporation venture which is investing in a land-based fin fish farm in Parengarenga. Other members of this industry-led group include Doug Lloyd from OceaNZ Blue, Clive Stone and Keir Volkerling of Ngātiwai, Glen Beattie, Wayne Hutchinson and Jacquie Reed from Enterprise Northland, and Michael Bruce from NIWA (Bream Bay).