Horticulture a game changer for Wairoa

Horticulture is a potential game changer for Wairoa while mayor Craig Little says locals are looking forward to the completion of the main street redevelopment.

“Horticulture utilises Wairoa’s natural water supply and is a positive land-use change, and also complements and builds other industry in Wairoa. It’s a game changer,” Craig says.

The Marine Parade redevelopment - Te Wairoa E Whanake is on target to be completed by the middle of 2023 in what has been a partnership initiative, predominantly funded through Provincial Growth Fund funding. Stage 1 includes a street food café hospitality pod, an indoor/outdoor courtyard area, and two businesses offering a mix of hospitality and retail.

connected town centre that celebrates Wairoa’s unique heritage and culture.

Stage 2 is a relocation of the Wairoa i-Site and bus terminal.

Another new initiative is a grass roots business association, which, like Council, wants to see our district thrive and is working on initiatives to achieve that.

Craig says Wairoa has been impacted by the increase in forestry and council is looking at ways to protect the agriculture sector, which has been the backbone of the district.

“Our district has enough blanket and carbon forest planting, and we need to concentrate on protecting our agricultural sector. Wairoa boasts beautiful land, reliable water supply, and generally a moderate climate - so it is no wonder our town is built on what we grow.”

“While it was reassuring to see Wairoa’s economy and spending stacking up well, this was just one snapshot, and as we all know, we are living in volatile times, and we have seen how quickly things can change. However, I firmly believe that if our region’s primary sector can be allowed to continue to grow and flourish, then our region’s future is strong.”

Craig Little – Mayor Wairoa

“This is a landmark undertaking, and while there have been challenges around COVID-19 restrictions, and unprecedented escalation in material costs, the end result will be worth the wait.”

Craig says this project is the beginning of transforming our main street into a thriving hub for the people of Wairoa and visitors, with a multi-functional

Local iwi is also looking at many projects that will build and grow the district.

Over 2020-2022 Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti were leading the regions when it came to stronger economic outcomes, and it is no coincidence that Wairoa sits right in the middle of these two leading regions.

“However we are living in volatile times, and we have seen how quickly things can change but I firmly believe that if our region’s primary sector can be allowed to continue to grow and flourish, then our region’s future is strong.”

A couple of housing initiatives are also underway with the formation of a local housing coalition, which includes local iwi and providers. Wairoa short of around 150 homes now and around around 500 homes over the next 10 years.

Nearly $1 million in government funding has been received to develop a localised Housing Hub aimed at enhancing the district’s housing options over the next three years and Post-settlement governance entity, Tātau Tātau o te Wairoa, has also gained resource consent for the development of up to a 56 housing units and local provider Enabled Wairoa, in partnership with Whakamanamana Limited, is awaiting resource consent for an additional subdivision for 38 lots of mixed housing.