The establishment of a new agency to oversee tourism and economic development in greater Manawatu will build on the established regional freight and transport links.
“It will build on the work already achieved in establishing the region’s logistical hubs, new air and other transport links and the growing health and call centre industries,” says Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith.
“The new Agency will be able to co-ordinate this work for the benefit of everyone from our young people looking for work opportunities to retailers and hotel/motel owners wanting to attract more customers,” says Smith
The Palmerston North City and Manawatu District Councils have voted in favour of a constitution and shareholders agreement for the new economic development agency.
Each Council will have a 50% stake in the new Agency and will now begin the process of establishing a board consisting of a chairperson and up to six other directors.
The Councils will each appoint three members to an electoral college which will then recommend suitable candidates for these roles on the board.
The board will then handle setting up the company including selecting the Chief Executive and other key staff.
The Mayors of both Councils say today’s vote is a milestone in the future development of the region.
“We have an expanding agribusiness and tourism sector, we are creating a vehicle that will take these to the next level,” says Manawatu District Mayor Margaret Kouvelis.
“These core activities have the potential for value-add through agritech and innovative niche services that will enable growth in our beef, dairy and sheep sectors,” says Kouvelis.
There is growth potential in our natural environment for tourism. The agency’s role will be to identify and capitalise these resources and those of the city,” she says.
The latest development follows decisions made by both Councils in June to create a single agency responsible for tourism and economic development.
