Economic and Social Benefits
The Opotiki District is one of the most economically and socially depressed areas in the country. Close to 60% of the District’s population are included in the “most deprived” category in a nationally calculated Index of Deprivation.
Factors contributing to our deprivation status are:
- Relatively high unemployment
- Lower household income
- Less people with formal educational qualifications
- Less access to transport and communication tools
- Lower home ownership levels
- Relatively poor housing quality
A Social and Economic Impact Evaluation commissioned by the Opotiki District Council, and conducted by Australian consultancy URS Limited, indicates that the proposed Opotiki Harbour Development, in conjunction with the Eastern Sea Farms mussel farm and processing plant, plus the other economic activity they would stimulate, would transform the Opotiki community.
Expected benefits include:
- Creation of more than 900 full-time jobs
- More than $34 million added to the District’s economy each year
- A significant increase in average household income across the district
Improved economic conditions are also expected to generate significant social benefits.
Click here to view the full URS Opotiki Harbour Development Social and Economic Benefit Evaluation - Final Report, or go to the Technical Data webpage.
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