Employment boost for Manawatu
More jobs are coming to Manawatu as the regional economy continues to surge ahead.
Goodman Fielder is looking to bring 60 new jobs to Palmerston North as it revamps its manufacturing network across the country.
And it’s far from the only employer in the region on the cusp of hiring more employees.
The ANZ Job Ads Report showed 984 advertised positions in Manawatu/whanganui this May, up 24 per cent on the previous year.
Goodman Fielder is proposing moving the production of pies from its Wiri factory and icecream cones from its East Tamaki bakery to Palmerston North.
The company plans to consolidate its operations by closing its Irvines and Hot Plate Bakery sites next year, among other moves.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the region was becoming more attractive to companies such as Goodman Fielder as the economic growth of the past year began to ‘‘hit home’’.
In just under a year since the Accelerate 25 regional growth plan launched, Manawatu/whanganui has become one of the country’s better performing regional economies.
The ASB/MAIN Report Regional Economic Scoreboard for the March quarter ranked Manawatu/ Whanganui as the fourth-fastest growing region in New Zealand, up from 13th when Accelerate 25 launched. This was the largest improvement for any region in the country.
The scoreboard’s rankings are based on growth in employment, construction, retail spending, and house prices.
Smith said it was great result, and showed every sector of the regional economy was doing well.
‘‘All of these things are not happening by accident.‘‘
Smith said co-operation between councils in the Manawatu/whanganui region and central government was the backbone of Accelerate.
A major success for that approach was the $181 million ring road project, he said.
The joint project with the NZ Transport Agency was initially slated to be spread out over 30 years, but that was reduced to six years.
Accelerate spokesman Michael Mccartney said the group was in talks with tech giant Microsoft about expanding its presence in the region, particularly in farming and environmental technology.
The regional growth strategy pinpointed the logistics and distribution sector as an emerging powerhouse.
A recent Palmerston North City Council economic analysis found the sector would likely overtake education as Manawatu/ Whanganui’s second largest industry after healthcare, by 2021.
Central Economic Development Agency chief executive Linda Stewart said a report on the industry was due out next week.
Horowhenua St John gets boost
Z Energy’s Good in the Hood funding is giving four Horowhenua organisations a boost. In May, people voted for how $4000 of funding should be split between the four local groups supported at Z Levin. The Horowhenua group that received the most votes was the St John Horowhenua Area Committee, with 35 per cent. It will receive $1467. Heartkids Manawatu will receive $1212 to support families affected by congenital heart disease. Plunket Levin will receive $733 and Samaritans of Horowhenua will receive $588. In a statement, Z spokesman Jonathan Hill said more than 8900 votes were cast in Levin. The groups wil be presented with the money on Friday, 10am, at Z Levin in Oxford St. The Good in the Hood programme is giving more than $1 million to about 800 groups nationwide.
Goodman Fielder is proposing moving the production of pies from its Wiri factory and icecream cones from its East Tamaki bakery to Palmerston North.
More water for Foxton
A reservoir is set to be built in Foxton to increase drinking water storage. The Horowhenua District Council is seeking consent from the Minister of Conservation for the reservoir, which will be near an existing water treatment plant. In a statement, council projects manager Gerry O’neill said increasing Foxton’s drinking water storage capacity would help during peak summer periods. It will also increase community resilience in a civil defence emergency or major fire. The reservoir will be a 500 cubic-metre tank that should be complete by October 2018, depending on how long the process to obtain consent takes, O’neill said.
Levin celebrates Maori new year
To mark the Maori New Year, Horowhenua District Council and the Muaupoko Tribal Authority will hold several events from Friday to June 25, when the Matariki stars are set to rise in the eastern skies of New Zealand. The free events include an intro to Te Reo classes, concerts and a stargazing evening. Most of the events will be held at the Horowhenua Community Centre in Levin, with others in Shannon and Foxton. Horowhenua-born author Dr Rangi Matamua wrote a book about the Matariki stars. He said Maori traditionally saw Matariki as nine stars, rather than the European grouping called the seven sisters.
Horizons adopts latest annual plan
After considering 109 submissions, Horizons Regional Councillors adopted the 2017/18 Annual Plan last week. The plan outlines the work the council will do in the year ahead to manage its land, air and water resources, and what it will cost. In a statement, chairman Bruce Gordon said the average rates increase across the region was 4.32 per cent and would vary depending where people lived and the level of service they received.
Southern Steel’s van crashes
Southern Steel players are recovering after being involved in an accident in Christchurch yesterday. The Steel team van, with six players on board, was involved in a crash at the intersection of Memorial Ave and Clyde Road in Fendalton, just after 1pm. The van was struck by another vehicle and ended up on its side. In a statement, Steel physiotherapist Corina Ngatuere said four players were taken to the A and E Department at Christchurch Hospital as a precautionary measure. Two have since been discharged with two still being assessed. ‘‘Everyone is stable,’’ she said.