$46m investment targets extra jobs

A $46 million investment package for Northland is the coalition agreement coming home to roost, according to Winston Peters.

The bulk of the package – $20m – will go to projects targeted at job creation, while $9.9m will support a ‘‘cultural and tourism attraction’’, and $8.7m will go to social and state housing.

A set of studies into the upgrade of Northland’s Twin Discovery Route will get $6.25m and $500,000 will be set aside to investigate rail improvements in Northland.

Speaking to a group of 70 business people and community members at the launch of the provincial growth fund’s investment into Northland at Forum North in Whangarei, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters addressed criticism of the large number of reports and investigations launched by the Government. ‘‘More will be done today for Northland than any government in a very, very long time. This is where a coalition government agreement comes home to roost.

‘‘The Auckland Blues know that you have to do a review, otherwise things go nowhere.’’

Transport Minister Phil Twyford drew shocked looks when he accidentally announced a $625m investment into the Twin Discovery Route before correcting the sum to $6.25m.

The Twin Discovery Route is an 800-kilometre circular journey along the east and west coasts of Northland on State Highways 1, 10, 11, 12 and 16. Twyford said the studies would eventually lead to a $94m investment into the Twin Discovery Route. He also announced a $500,000 investigation into improving rail links in the North Auckland area and to Marsden Point.

Northland Inc chairwoman Karleen Everitt said the package identified ‘‘an eclectic and diverse group of very worthy projects’’.

‘‘We will see a direct positive impact in vulnerable communities with projects that include social and state housing, and programmes that are helping to get our taitamariki off benefits and into jobs, education or training.’’

It was a nod to the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan, arguably Northland’s most significant strategic document in terms of economic development, Everitt said.

The plan brought into focus more than 60 projects that were transforming Northland’s economy, she said. ‘‘A number of the projects that will receive funding from today’s and previous PGF announcements sit within the action plan; the Taitamariki 500 (T500) programme which helps get young people receiving a benefit into employment, education or training; the Hundertwasser Arts Centre and Wairau Ma¯ ori Art Gallery; and the revitalisation of the Twin Coast Discovery Route.’’

Work that Northland Inc and NZTA had done together on two work streams – roading and tourism development – were a prelude to the announcement, Everitt said.