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Events Calendar.
For upcoming events and important dates see the Bay of Connections Events Calendar.
Regional Council endorses regional development refresh
Friday, May 24, 2019
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has endorsed a refreshed regional economic development framework.
May news up date 2019
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Tēnā koutou,
In our January update, we outlined the findings from the independent review of Bay of Connections (BOC), a review brought about after ten years of activity.
Since then, a small working group has led an engagement process with councils, economic development agencies (EDAs), business and iwi representatives.
The feedback from this engagement process has provided a general consensus that a regional economic development effort is required, both to ensure a regional overview of cross-cutting opportunities and challenges, and to connect more effectively with stakeholders.
As a result of these discussions, the working group has developed a set of recommendations regarding the potential form and function of a future regional development effort.
This includes providing the right support that local areas need, to help advance both local priorities and regional opportunities, so that our whole region can prosper. It is very much about taking a bottom up approach in helping councils, EDAs and industry to achieve tangible economic results that benefit us all.
It also includes a focus on a few key areas which impact us all, like the Māori economy, infrastructure and a low carbon economy, and a continued role for BOC acting to connect the region and help engage with government.
The working group have recommended the establishment of a new skills-based leadership group to provide insights and direction to the regional development team, including an independent chair. That group is intended to identify priorities and guide where the BOC programme can best add value to the work being done by stakeholders in the region.
These recommendations will be discussed at this week’s Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) meeting on Thursday, 9 May 2019. You can read the working group’s recommendations and the supporting paper on the council agenda here.
January news update
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Kia ora and Happy New Year – I trust you had a happy and relaxing festive season.
Geothermal an important part of business sustainability
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Tapping into geothermal energy while providing a unique customer experience in a sustainable fashion has Sequal finding a niche in the sawn lumber export market.
Canvas Tauranga Careers Expo
Friday, August 10, 2018
The Bay of Connections FLAG members have wowed students on the first day of the Canvas Tauranga Careers Expo. Dubbed the Freight Logistics Industry’s Big Day Out a large number of students got up close and personal with freight logistics. Students have been able to get hands on experience including driving a truck under industry supervision.
Govt invests a further $3m to tackle Eastern Bay of Plenty youth unemployment
Friday, August 3, 2018
Minister of Employment Willie Jackson announced at today’s Bay of Connections annual forum a further $3.08 million investment to tackle youth unemployment in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
July news update
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Kia ora,
It has been a busy six months for Bay of Connections. Since the announcement of the Provincial Growth Fund earlier this year, we’ve been working hard to ensure the wider Bay of Plenty is in the best possible position to benefit from opportunities provided by the fund.
Planning is also underway for the Bay of Connections Yearly Forum, to be held in Rotorua on 3 August, while work has also commenced on the review of the Bay of Connections strategy.
I’d also like to take this public opportunity to thank Fiona McTavish, who has stepped down from her role as the Bay of Connections Management Group Chair, following her appointment as Chief Executive, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana. Fiona made an immense contribution to Bay of Connections and she is set to do the same in her new role. Jacky James has agreed to take on an acting role as Management Group Chair for the next few months, and is already doing an outstanding job.
Women get ready to take the wheel
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The group, which has just completed the 19-week course, represent half of the graduates, the highest number of females the course has had at any one time.
Driver cadetship proposal welcomed by industry
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Driver cadetship proposal welcomed by industry