BAY OF CONNECTIONS YEARLY REPORT 2015 The best way to predict your future is to create it. Peter F Drucker 2 Active connections. Faster results. As the 2015 calendar year draws to a The study and its implementation will the right people and organisations close, the work of the Bay of be another positive step in the way from within and into the region. Connections continues in full swing, regions collaborate with Central on the back of a year of action. Government to achieve growth – and This Yearly Report outlines the the Bay of Plenty has set the activities and achievements of the Taking on the responsibility for the Bay precedent. 2015 calendar year and gives insight of Plenty Regional Growth Study, Bay into the year ahead. of Connections has moved to the next With a focus on working together, Bay stage of evolution in its development. of Connections continues to connect 3 Doug Leeder Governance Group Chair Welcome to the 2015 Yearly Report for Bay of Connections. The past year has seen our core values of collaboration and connectedness develop to another level, with partnerships created through Bay of Connections over the last eight years acting as a catalyst for many of our projects during 2015. This was especially true of the government’s Regional Growth Programme, which has t perfectly into the Bay of Connections framework. The programme will be a key factor in developing our region. I cannot over-emphasise its importance, and the critical role this work will play in our future. The attendance and engagement at the regional forums during the Successful implementation will be a job development of the Regional Growth for us all – councils, economic Study (RGS) and Economic Action Plan development agencies, Bay of by community leaders, iwi, local Connections, Māori, industry and government, Mayors, and industry is government – working together to make testament to that fact. the identied opportunities and actions a reality. Sustained growth will require true regional ownership, leadership and The talent and passion in this region, agility as things progress and change. along with the close engagement with Central government has been a key central government, has brought the RGS partner over the last 12-24 months, and and Action Plan to life. will continue to be as we implement the Action Plan and the wider Bay of I look forward to another year of action Connections portfolio. Local government and results. will also continue to be a key partner. 4 Fiona McTavish Management Group Chair It has been a fabulous year for Bay of Connections. As well as business as usual progressing the six already established sector strategies, the Regional Growth Programme is in its second year of development. Bay of Connections has grown steadily and organically since inception in 2008. Each year has seen new strategies and partnerships formed, with more people than ever now actively involved in regional economic development. 2016 will hold more of the same, as we continue to partner with a great number of regional and national stakeholders to sustainably grow our communities, jobs and economy. create it. Bay of Connections embodies the idea of creating the change we want The Economic Action Plan developed to see in the region – both over the short under the Regional Growth Programme and long term – encouraging has become part of the Bay of participation and input from all sectors of Connections family, with action areas not our communities. already part of the Bay of Connections portfolio tting easily into the framework. The Bay of Plenty has many competitive advantages and signicant natural This connectivity is what makes the wider resources to generate growth. The role of Bay of Plenty’s growth prospects so strong Bay of Connections is to help harness – bringing together sectors and industry these opportunities by promoting players. Collaboration is often taken for conversations and connections. By using granted, but let us not forget what a our combined strength and working powerful and creative tool it really is. together, we can continue creating inuence and leverage on a national Both the Regional Growth Programme scale, while at the same time ensuring no and Bay of Connections are enablers for one area loses its distinctiveness. regional development, with the same goals and objectives at the heart of both. This coming year will be a big one for the region, as many of the strategies and In the words of Peter Drucker, I believe actions continue to gain momentum and the best way to predict your future is to have a real impact for our wider region. 5 Bay of Connections Overview Vision: Bay of Plenty – a prosperous This includes from within and into the region supported by sustainable sectors. region, as well as at a national and international level. Mission: To deliver sector-based strategies and action plans that generate and Since its establishment in 2008, the Bay encourage additional sustainable of Connections has made a positive employment for the Bay of Plenty. impact on the region’s economy and provided a vivid blueprint for others to Values: We will collaborate in our follow to achieve regional growth and community with integrity, respect and national inuence. By standing tall and transparency, and in a friendly manner. continuing to build strong and resilient connections, Bay of Connections remains Bay of Connections is the regional growth well-poised to capture areas of growth strategy for the wider Bay of Plenty region and opportunity. with a vision of creating a prosperous region supported by sustainable sectors. It Bay of Connections is industry-led, with a is simple and aspirational, with the aim of strong commercial and action focus. It is establishing and implementing sector-based a coalition of the willing, where strategies that generate job growth. participation by interested stakeholders is wholly encouraged. Join us, as we At the heart of the strategy are the collectively work together to grow our philosophies of collaboration and region and communities. connectedness. Through working together and connecting the right people, places, Bay of Connections covers the Eastern businesses, organisations and industries, and Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and the benets to the region are boundless. Taupō. Tuhua (Mayor I) Waihi Beach Whakaari/ White I Eastern Bay of Plenty Katikati Tauranga Cape Runaway City Tauranga Western Bay of Plenty Te Puke Western Te Kaha Bay of Plenty Moutohora I District Whakatane Rotorua L Rotorua Opotiki Rotorua Kawerau Opotiki District Kawerau Taupō Rotorua District District Whakatane District Murupara Taupo L Taupo Taupo District Locality North Island Turangi New Zealand 6 The Region's Key Export Sectors ENERGY FRE Y L IG TR OG H ES IS T R TI FO CS E R U M LT A R U I C N A E U Q A S CO ILL M SK M R S U E D P N C N O I R R T A C E T A A A Y E A R T T I I N O M O A I D N T N R S E T I N E F R R U A T S C T R U I T Y C R T A R N R O P S I T A D T T O I U U R R F I I S M W I K P R O C S C E E I S U S I G N L G T O L I V O A N T H I C E O T N G O A N N I D T G H R E E R M E F O O D Sector Strategies These are: of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC), 1. Regional capability and/or who manages the portfolio. Bay of Connections identies the key comparative advantage strengths and areas of opportunity for The role of EDAs in Bay of Connections the wider region, from both 2. Alignment with national sectors that Bay of Connections is the sum of the developed and developing sectors. It are globally competitive Economic Development Agencies is informed by data, research, 3. Strong sector buy-in and leadership (EDAs), local and central government, analysis and consultation at a local, 4. Strategy interventions/actions can BOPRC and the different sector regional and national level, and is support transformative growth. representatives across the industry export and globally-focused. groups. The EDAs are essential to the Sector strategies are in place for success of Bay of Connections and the Thirteen sectors have been identied Aquaculture, Forestry and Wood implementation of the BOP Economic as key areas for development, Processing, Freight Logistics, Energy, Action Plan as part of the government's supported by three enabling areas Māori Economic Development, and Regional Growth Programme. Their that inuence the wider economy. Rugby Sevens (Sport and Recreation). ongoing collaboration across the Bay of Each of these sectors has been Each strategy is developed by an Connections model is vital. The majority measured against a set of selected industry-led group. The Bay of of the Bay of Connections Management criteria to determine their readiness Connections Governance Group Group membership is comprised of the or need for engagement in the maintains oversight of the strategies, EDAs, which reinforces their role in the strategy. with the support and advice of the Bay wider portfolio. 7 Updates Bay of Connections Portfolio Manager – Cheryl Lewis I thought last year was big and fast paced – 2015 has surpassed that. It has been a year that all those involved with Bay of Connections can look back on with satisfaction. The launch of the Regional Growth Study and the Action Plan in less than one year was signicant.