Business and Investment

The wider Bay of Connections region – which incorporates Eastern Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupō and Western Bay of Plenty – is a unique and beautiful part of Aotearoa New Zealand that presents an abundance of investment opportunities in both established and emerging industries.

Renowned as the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand and a leader in forestry, horticulture and agriculture, the region continues to offer new opportunities in these traditional sectors, while also leading the country (and often the world) in emerging and developing sectors such as aquaculture, high-value manufacturing, marine research, geothermal heat use and technology.

The region has seen significant public, private and iwi partnership investments in the past three years, including the $79m Ōpōtiki Harbour development and supporting investment into the Whakatōhea Mussels processing plant, both enabling further growth in the local aquaculture sector; along with the ongoing development of a commercial boat harbour at Whakatāne.

Significantly, the region is home to the Port of Tauranga – New Zealand’s largest seaport for exports and a significant driver of economic activity for the entire region. Forming the South East point of the high-growth area known as the ‘Golden Triangle’ – incorporating Auckland and Waikato – the Bay of Plenty region has good rail and road access to and from the Port and beyond.

The region’s freight and logistics infrastructure has been boosted even further in the past three years with the development of the Kawerau container terminal and associated off-road highway, along with the development of the Rangiuru Business Park in Western Bay of Plenty. Supported by more than 220km of railway, the region is the most densely used of the entire country’s national rail network, ensuring product can get to and from the Port of Tauranga quickly and efficiently, and avoiding the need to connect through Auckland.

The region’s natural geothermal resources also provide a stable low-carbon energy source for manufacturing and other production – particularly in Kawerau and Taupō – offering a competitive advantage for industries in key parts of the region.

For an overview of opportunities in each sub-region and contact details click the tiles below. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provide an overview of Bay of Plenty investment opportunities for an international audience.