A creation of a new agency to support economic growth in the Waitaki has been put forward for public consultation.

An Economic Development Agency is being proposed by the Waitaki District Council, as the next step in the effort to deliver the ambitions and outcomes identified in the Uplifting Waitaki: Hāpaitia te Waitaki Economic Development Strategy, adopted by the council in September last year.

The council would like the community’s feedback on the proposal of establishing the agency as a new council controlled organisation (CCO).

The agency would be responsible for implementing the strategy and working in partnership with others to support economic development to benefit the community, and incorporate tourism management and promotion. Tourism Waitaki would be dis-established.

Council chief executive Alex Parmley said the council had invested significantly in economic development and tourism for several years.

“While this has delivered benefits, we believe the activity could be delivering better value for ratepayers and more measurable benefits for our community.

“We believe an Economic Development Agency, with oversight of all key work programmes, is the best vehicle to enable stronger engagement with stakeholders and partners and to increase the benefits from these activities for our communities and district.” 

Tourism Waitaki Ltd currently operates the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony and leases the business premises from the council which owns the land.

Business attraction and recovery manager Melanie Jones said the agency will bring business, iwi, and other stakeholders together with council, to manage the core project areas collectively, and ensure target outcomes and benefits are achieved.

“Developing the Waitaki Story, that resonates with our community and visitors, will be a key deliverable that links all the work streams,” she said.

Council is recommending partnership opportunities be investigated to grow the colony as a cornerstone attraction for the district, supporting increased spend with local businesses.

Tourism Waitaki chairman Mike McElhinney said the penguin colony had led the way in New Zealand, developing a sustainable tourism experience that visitors loved, while supporting conservation and protection of kororā through scientific and educational programmes.

“This success has enabled Tourism Waitaki to fund extensive programmes, promoting the Waitaki both nationally and internationally, and enabled Waitaki to maintain high levels of domestic visitation after the Covid shutdowns.

“International tourism has returned also,” he said.

Mr Parmley said securing a partner with shared values who understood the important conservation, scientific and education work of the Penguin Colony, and who might invest to grow the attraction will be beneficial for visitors, businesses, and the community.

The council does not propose to sell the land on which the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony sits.

“We recognise this land is environmentally significant and is a key asset which should remain with the council on behalf of the community,” Mr Parmley said.

Council will be consulting with key stakeholders and the community between Thursday, April 6 and Sunday, May 7 around the proposed changes.