Economic Development

The economic situation in Kaipara District is multifaceted and complex. It is marked by growth and expansion, but also by unique challenges that need to be addressed for the continued prosperity of the region.

According to recent data from Infometrics, a trusted source of economic information for the Kaipara District Council, the district has experienced a period of solid economic performance. Between 2015 and 2018, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth averaged 3.6% per annum, underscoring a robust economic vitality during this period. However, this growth slowed to 1.9% over the 12 months to June 2019, indicating the presence of changing economic conditions and challenges.

Our economy is also characterized by significant year-on-year fluctuations, a feature that sets us apart from other areas in Northland and New Zealand. These fluctuations emphasize the dynamic nature of our economy and underscore the need for flexible and adaptable economic policies.

Key sectors in our economy encompass a diverse range of industries. Detailed information about these sectors, along with data on employment rates and income levels, can be accessed on the Infometrics website. This resource provides a comprehensive picture of our economic landscape and is an invaluable tool for understanding our district's growth and the sources of personal income for our residents.

Despite the general positive trajectory, our district faces significant economic issues that we must address. These challenges, such as unemployment, low incomes, and the need for economic diversification, are vital areas of focus for our District Plan. By addressing these issues head-on, we aim to foster a resilient and prosperous district that offers ample employment opportunities and supports a high standard of living for all residents.

In this chapter, we will delve deeper into these economic issues, exploring the current state of our district, the challenges we face, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to create a comprehensive plan that will guide our district's economic development in a sustainable and inclusive manner, ensuring that Kaipara continues to thrive and grow in the years to come.

District Level Objectives

1. To foster sustainable economic growth and development throughout the district.

2. To promote job creation and support diverse employment opportunities.

3. To enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the district's economy.

Zone Level Objectives

1. To stimulate economic activity and job growth in each zone.

2. To support the development of diverse industries and businesses within each zone.

3. To strengthen the economic base of each zone and enhance its resilience.

Area Level Objectives

1. To encourage local entrepreneurship and business development.

2. To improve access to quality job opportunities for area residents.

3. To foster an economic environment that supports local growth and prosperity.

District Level Policies

1. Policy D1: Develop and implement economic strategies that promote sustainable economic growth and development throughout the district.

2. Policy D2: Facilitate job creation by providing support for businesses and industries and promoting diverse employment opportunities.

3. Policy D3: Enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the district's economy through economic diversification, innovation, and by encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices.

Zone Level Policies

1. Policy Z1: Stimulate economic activity and job growth in each zone through strategic planning, investment, and partnerships.

2. Policy Z2: Support the development and growth of a diverse range of industries and businesses within each zone, focusing on those that leverage local strengths and opportunities.

3. Policy Z3: Strengthen the economic base of each zone by promoting economic resilience, including through risk management and strategic diversification.

Area Level Policies

1. Policy A1: Encourage local entrepreneurship and business development by offering targeted support services and creating a conducive business environment.

2. Policy A2: Improve access to quality job opportunities for area residents through workforce development programs and by encouraging local businesses to provide quality jobs.

3. Policy A3: Foster an economic environment that supports local growth and prosperity, including through infrastructure investment, local procurement policies, and support for local businesses.

District Level Rules

1. Policy D1: Implement regulations that require the development and implementation of economic strategies promoting sustainable economic growth and development throughout the district.

2. Policy D2: Develop regulations that provide support for businesses and industries, such as tax incentives or subsidies for businesses that create jobs or provide diverse employment opportunities.

3. Policy D3: Establish regulations that encourage economic diversification, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable practices. This could include incentives for businesses that adopt innovative or sustainable practices.

Zone Level Rules

1. Policy Z1: Implement regulations that stimulate economic activity and job growth in each zone. This could include zoning regulations that encourage certain types of businesses or industries.

2. Policy Z2: Develop regulations that support the development and growth of a diverse range of industries and businesses within each zone. This could include zoning regulations that allow for a variety of business types.

3. Policy Z3: Establish regulations that promote economic resilience. This could include requirements for businesses to have risk management plans or incentives for businesses that diversify their operations.

Area Level Rules

1. Policy A1: Implement regulations that encourage local entrepreneurship and business development. This could include incentives for local businesses or regulations that make it easier to start a business.

2. Policy A2: Develop regulations that improve access to quality job opportunities for area residents. This could include requirements for businesses to provide certain benefits or pay a living wage.

3. Policy A3: Establish regulations that foster an economic environment that supports local growth and prosperity. This could include local procurement policies or infrastructure investment requirements.

This could include maps showing commercial and industrial zones, areas targeted for economic development, etc.

This section would outline how the success of the policies in achieving the objectives will be monitored and evaluated. This could include indicators of economic performance (like GDP, employment rates, business start-ups), progress in implementation of economic development initiatives, etc., and monitoring of policy implementation and outcomes.

The rural economy of Kaipara District plays a vital role in the region's overall economic health and community well-being. Predominantly rural in character, around 90% of the land in the district is zoned as rural according to the Operative Kaipara District Plan 2013. This vast rural landscape is a tapestry of various industries, each contributing uniquely to the district's economic and social fabric.

Traditionally, Kaipara's economy has been anchored by pastoral farming, supplemented to a lesser extent by horticulture and forestry. These primary sectors not only contribute significantly to the local economy but also shape the district's rural identity and way of life. However, the economic landscape of Kaipara is not static. In recent years, the district has seen an uptick in tourism activities and a trend toward small mixed-use farm and residential holdings, signalling an evolution of its rural economy.

The Draft District Plan introduces a strategic approach to managing this dynamic rural landscape. It proposes three rural zones: the Rural Production Zone, the General Rural Zone, and the Rural Lifestyle Zone. The Rural Production Zone, containing the most productive land in the district, is prioritized for farming activities that capitalize on the soil's productive potential. The General Rural Zone, representing the balance of rural land, is primarily used for primary production, while the Rural Lifestyle Zone, featuring 1-2ha lifestyle lots, is located next to settlements and urban areas, serving as a transition from rural to urban.

This zoning approach aims to direct activities to where they are most appropriately located and to enable greater productivity within the rural environment. In particular, it seeks to support well-functioning rural and coastal settlements that cater to the needs and well-being of local communities. However, this plan is not without its challenges.

The district is experiencing a tension between urban growth, particularly in areas such as Mangawhai, and the demand for rural lifestyle development, which conflicts with the goals of the productive rural environment. This tension has led to the ongoing fragmentation of highly productive land, a critical issue the district needs to address.

In response to this challenge, initiatives like the Kaipara District Spatial Plans and the Kaipara Kai have emerged, highlighting a strong desire among the community to increase and diversify food production and to protect the productive rural land resource for current and future generations. This underscores the importance of not only sustaining the district's rural economy but also strengthening its resilience and adaptability in the face of changing economic, environmental, and social circumstances.

In conclusion, the rural economy of Kaipara District is a complex and evolving system, facing both opportunities and challenges. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that it continues to thrive, supporting not only economic growth but also the social and environmental well-being of the district.

District Level Objectives

1. To strengthen and diversify the rural economy across the district.

2. To support sustainable rural industries, including agriculture, forestry, and eco-tourism.

3. To enhance the resilience of the rural economy to economic fluctuations and climate change impacts.

Zone Level Objectives

1. To encourage sustainable economic growth and diversification within each rural zone.

2. To support the development and growth of industries that are appropriate to the characteristics of each rural zone.

3. To foster resilience and adaptive capacity within each rural zone's economic activities.

Area Level Objectives

1. To facilitate the growth and development of locally-based rural businesses.

2. To promote sustainable farming practices and other eco-friendly rural activities.

3. To support the economic well-being and resilience of rural communities.

District Level Policies

1. Policy D1: Implement strategies that strengthen and diversify the rural economy across the district, including through support for new and emerging rural industries.

2. Policy D2: Provide support for sustainable rural industries, including agriculture, forestry, and eco-tourism, with an emphasis on best practices for sustainability and resilience.

3. Policy D3: Develop and implement measures to enhance the resilience of the rural economy to economic fluctuations and climate change impacts, including through diversification and risk management.

Zone Level Policies

1. Policy Z1: Encourage sustainable economic growth and diversification within each rural zone through land use planning and strategic investment.

2. Policy Z2: Support the development and growth of industries that are appropriate to the characteristics of each rural zone, considering factors such as natural resources, environmental constraints, and community interests.

3. Policy Z3: Foster resilience and adaptive capacity within each rural zone's economic activities through support for innovation, diversification, and adaptive management practices.

Area Level Policies

1. Policy A1: Facilitate the growth and development of locally-based rural businesses, including through business support services and appropriate infrastructure development.

2. Policy A2: Promote sustainable farming practices and other eco-friendly rural activities, including through education, incentives, and regulation where necessary.

3. Policy A3: Support the economic well-being and resilience of rural communities through initiatives that promote local economic development, job creation, and social cohesion.

District Level Rules

1. Policy D1: Implement regulations that support the strengthening and diversification of the rural economy across the district. This could include incentives for new and emerging rural industries.

2. Policy D2: Develop regulations that provide support for sustainable rural industries. This could include requirements or incentives for sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and eco-tourism.

3. Policy D3: Establish regulations that enhance the resilience of the rural economy to economic fluctuations and climate change impacts. This could include requirements for risk management plans or incentives for diversification.

Zone Level Rules

1. Policy Z1: Implement regulations that encourage sustainable economic growth and diversification within each rural zone. This could include zoning regulations that encourage certain types of businesses or industries.

2. Policy Z2: Develop regulations that support the development and growth of industries that are appropriate to the characteristics of each rural zone. This could include zoning regulations that allow for a variety of business types.

3. Policy Z3: Establish regulations that foster resilience and adaptive capacity within each rural zone's economic activities. This could include requirements for businesses to have adaptive management plans or incentives for businesses that diversify their operations.

Area Level Rules

1. Policy A1: Implement regulations that facilitate the growth and development of locally-based rural businesses. This could include incentives for local businesses or regulations that make it easier to start a business.

2. Policy A2: Develop regulations that promote sustainable farming practices and other eco-friendly rural activities. This could include requirements for sustainable practices or incentives for eco-friendly activities.

3. Policy A3: Establish regulations that support the economic well-being and resilience of rural communities. This could include local procurement policies or infrastructure investment requirements.

This could include maps showing rural zones and areas designated for different types of rural activities, areas targeted for rural economic development, etc.

This section would outline how the success of the policies in achieving the objectives will be monitored and evaluated. This could include indicators of rural economic performance (like output of rural industries, rural employment rates), progress in implementation of rural development initiatives, etc., and monitoring of policy implementation and outcomes.