BayTrust Grants $125,000 to Opotiki for Economic Development

BayTrust is delighted to announce it has today granted $125,000 to the Opotiki District Council to promote sustainable community development in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Mary Dillon, Chair of BayTrust, said: “The Opotiki District Council has an ambitious plan to achieve social and economic prosperity for the region. It is impressive to see iwi, the district council, business and community working together towards this common vision.”

Opotiki has been recognised as one of the most deprived populations in New Zealand over the last two decades, and is the highest ranking district in the Deprivation Index in New Zealand. Now, leaders of Whakatohea and Opotiki District Council are more determined and focused on creating a sustainable future for the people and the District.

Eileen Lawrie, Chief Executive Officer of Opotiki District Council, said: “This grant is a vote of confidence in the hard work the community has been putting in to support their future. The grant is specifically to support ongoing development of land use changes, including the harbour development preliminary design, integrated social strategy planning and the start of the full business case for the harbour development, which are necessary to ensure the district capitalises on the aquaculture development in the area.

“The BayTrust grant reflects the intention of the Memorandum of Understanding with Opotiki District Council to promote and support community capability in the district.”

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Opotiki District Council and BayTrust is a principle agreement that has three shared objectives that focus on promoting and supporting community development, capability and collaboration in the District over five years.

The grant is a contribution of costs to a larger funding project, which has also attracted a grant from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.