About the project
Why a harbour entrance
World demand for seafood is increasing rapidly. The World Bank predicts aquaculture will supply over 60 percent of the fish we eat by 2030. Ōpōtiki is poised to contribute, with 160 kilometres of coastline encompassing thousands of hectares of highly productive seawater that has the potential to support a sizable aquaculture industry.
Large scale aquaculture requires a safe, accessible harbour for boats servicing and harvesting product from offshore marine farms. The existing Ōpōtiki harbour entrance is limited to smaller boats, which can only cross the bar in good conditions. The Ōpōtiki Harbour Development Project will provide access for larger boats by creating an entrance that is navigable in all but the worst conditions, enabling Opotiki to become a service and processing base for aquaculture and other marine related industries.
The Ōpōtiki Harbour Development Project is underpinned by a strong commitment from local community leaders, including iwi and Council, to improve the community's social and economic wellbeing by creating new jobs, increasing the average household income across the district, and adding millions to the economy.
This nationally significant project dates from 2001 when the potential for a job rich aquaculture industry was identified as a major opportunity in the productive eastern bay waters. The role of Whakatōhea as kaitiaki and developer of the water space has been a crucial component, as has the commercial lens brought to the opportunity by Whakatōhea Mussels Ōpōtiki Limited, and the council’s determination to deliver the required infrastructure.
Currently there is 4750 ha of consented water space with 2 consents majority owned by Whakatōhea. A further 4050 ha is in process and a further 5000 ha “reserved” with an agreement in principle to settle between the Crown and Te Whānau a Apanui. Independent reports show up to 17,000 ha may be sustainably farmed in the long term.
Background and benefits analysis
An independent assessment of the Social and Community Benefits associated with the Aquaculture Industry and the Harbour Transformation Project points to quantifiable social benefits in the areas of increased employment and increased household income coupled with reduced welfare dependency within the Ōpōtiki District. Further, the report cites increased home ownership, reduced overcrowding, reduction in criminal offending, the revitalisation of Iwi, population growth, and an increased rating base as some of the non-quantifiable benefits that will flow from the combined projects.
Given the positive social and economic benefits for the Ōpōtiki District Community, the Eastern Bay of Plenty, the region and New Zealand as a whole, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Central Government are key stakeholders and funding partners.
To make the programme of activity as successful as possible it is important that as many locals as possible gain employment and opportunity from the investments. Alongside the planning for the Harbour build, Council has been planning and implementing projects to ensure essential infrastructure (such as sewerage) is in place and capable of meeting the needs of the community. You can read more about work that is ongoing in workforce development, employer readiness and Council's advocacy for government investment and support for housing in the 2021-2031 Opotiki District Council Long Term Plan.
You can read the various business cases, benefits analysis and technical reports on the Reports page. The most recent is the 2023 Te Ara Moana a Toi - Initial Benefits Assessment PDF based on the original Te Ara Moana a Toi - a path to the sea (redacted version) PDF.
