Auckland (TAN): Tourism will get a helping hand in the Mid-North of New Zealand with an investment of NZD 2.8 million coming in from the country’s Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to further economic growth opportunities in tourism and help lift the prosperity and wellbeing of its communities, the country’s tourism minister Kelvin Davis announced recently.
The New Zealand government has allocated NZD 3 billion over a three-year term to invest in regional economic development through the Provincial Growth Fund.
The PGF is administered by the Provincial Development Unit, part of the ministry of business, innovation, and employment of the New Zealand government.
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“The PGF is investing NZD 1.79 million to redevelop and enhance Te Waiariki Ngawha Springs, located near Kaikohe. Over the past three years, use of the spring has increased from 22,000 visitors in 2015 to more than 40,000 in 2017 with no active marketing,” Davis was quoted as saying by Voxy.co.nz.
Kaikohe is a town in the Far North District of New Zealand, situated on State Highway 12 about 260 km from Auckland.
Davis added that the project will add to the Mid-North’s tourism growth and provide employment for up to 30 people, while delivering benefits to the local community by enhancing an important local landmark, Davis said.
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Funding of NZD 890,000 will be provided to evaluate the potential for an innovation and enterprise park to be built on 165 hectares at Ngawha, near Kaikohe. The aim is to improve the utilisation of the region’s natural resources.
“The New Zealand Mid-North has massive potential and after years of neglect this government is going to unlock it through the PGF,” Davis added.
