1. DARREN HUGHES (Labour—Otaki) Link to this
to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development
What is the Government doing to stimulate growth in regional New Zealand?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for Industry and Regional Development) Link to this
Heaps. In the last week there have been two very recent major regional initiatives announced. The first is in Kapiti-Horowhenua. Thanks to the very good work of my colleague Darren Hughes, $1.96 million will be provided towards a DesignTex project that aims to strengthen the region’s and the country’s textile businesses and enable them to be more globally competitive. The second initiative, announced yesterday, was in the Wairarapa. The Government will provide $1.9 million towards cuisine and fine wine; a major regional initiative that aims to build on the region’s wine and food reputation in order to take it to an international level. It involves an international partnership. Both these initiatives play to the key strengths of the regions. They fit perfectly with this Government’s agenda to transform New Zealand into an export-led, high-wage, innovative economy. [ Interruption] The member should read it.
What results can New Zealanders expect to see from these initiatives, particularly the most excellent one in the Kapiti and Horowhenua region?
R Doug Woolerton