A new business park being built near Tauranga will be a huge advantage for the Bay of Plenty, helping to boost the region’s economy. But even before the Rangiuru Business Park is up and running, it’s already bringing huge benefits to the area.
This large infrastructure project has made significant strides in the past year. It operates within a complex setting, with five different lead contractors each managing their own workstreams on site simultaneously. They have locally established, national contractors working in a collaborative construction environment and managing the site effectively. They're proud to be supporting the local construction environment in a challenging economic time. Local iwi Tapuika is involved in bringing the park to life, including planting thousands of native plants in a large wetlands area that is part of the 148-hectare development.
Meanwhile, ratepayers in the region will also reap rewards as the business park’s lead developer, Quayside Holdings, is the commercial investment arm of Bay of Plenty Regional Council. It owns 40 percent of the park and the returns it earns will help the local community, just as previous savvy investments made by Quayside have directly led to reductions in rates.
“Quayside’s purpose is to grow a responsible, diversified and intergeneration fund for the benefit of the Bay of Plenty community,” says Lyndon Settle, CEO of Quayside Holdings. “It is through protecting and growing the net value of the portfolio that we can have the greatest impact. In addition, we invest in the betterment of our region through environmental, social and cultural initiatives where possible.”
Awarding contracts to local Bay of Plenty businesses keeps pūtea (funds) in the region. Settle says Quayside is “working collaboratively with iwi to support their aspirations and actively looking for opportunities to grow rangatahi into construction and horticulture career pathways.”
“Value comes in many forms and these are just some examples we’re proud to be associated with.”
Tapuika iwi welcomed the opportunity to work with Quayside on Rangiuru. “Through the whanaungatanga of Tapuika and Quayside, job opportunities and upskilling for our people within the park have been created,” says Raponi Te Rangikātukua, Pou Taiao/Environmental Operations Manager at Tapuika Group.
“The planting mahi of more than 300,000 plants over the next two years will provide amazing environmental reclamation for our whenua. This collaboration ensures the heritage of our iwi is honoured throughout the park, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to deepen their understanding of our rich history of cultivation and kai-gathering lands and waterways that Rangiuru Business Park sits within.”
The vision for the world-class business park dates back to the early 2000s. In 2004 Quayside initiated a plan change to rezone the land at Rangiuru from rural to industrial and develop a business park as a means of connecting the Western Bay of Plenty with the wider area. The location is ideal, sitting adjacent to rail, it is a 25 minute drive off-peak to the Port of Tauranga and the business park will be connected to the Tauranga Eastern Link expressway by a dedicated motorway interchange. This in turns connects to State Highway 2 which will provide Rangiuru with easy access to the “golden triangle” of Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland.
There is a skilled labour force living within a 15-minute commute from Te Puke, Pāpāmoa and Wairakei, and the park is only a 30-45 minute drive from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Rotorua.
With plenty of experience under their belts, Quayside’s multi-disciplinary team of specialists – including in-house property developers and project managers who possess extensive local and international construction experience, facilitating the delivery of large footprint, high-quality industrial facilities.
The Rangiuru Business Park is set to contribute to a lasting, resilient, and liveable Bay of Plenty by integrating physical, social, ecological, and cultural elements to foster spaces that enhance health and well-being. This holistic approach supports the ‘live, work, and play’ ethos, ensuring that the Park not only drives economic growth but also enriches community life.
A key component of this vision is the development of a 48-hectare stormwater pond and wetland, which will manage stormwater needs for the entire park. Traditionally rich with kahikatea and mānuka trees, the long-term goal and intention is to honour the historical landscapes and support the habitation of diverse wildlife including eels and crayfish. This initiative highlights the Park’s commitment to ecological and environmental stewardship, promoting a balanced and harmonious urban environment.
Maintaining this delicate ecosystem is an important part of the development, where the Quayside team alongside their consultants are always striving to do better to minimise environmental impact.
A cultural masterplan is being developed, ensuring the cultural heritage, values and interests of Tapuika are respected and proactively integrated into the design of the park, rather than being an afterthought.
With the Bay of Plenty thriving as a desirable place to live and play, the business park will complete the picture by delivering an industrial hub for people to work. Economic growth in the region in the 10 years to 2023 has averaged 4.8% per annum, compared to an average of 3% in New Zealand as a whole. The business park will continue to support the economic growth of the area throughout its construction phase and once it is fully operational, says Settle.
Rangiuru Business Park is being developed in four stages, with the first stage of around 14 ha selling now, withfirst title anticipated in mid-2025.
For more information see rangiuru.co.nz.
