Economic Development Projects

Asset Mapping

Asset Mapping is a core component in Business Retention and Expansion (BR & E), one of KEA's Key Drivers. It is about growing local economies by nurturing entrepreneurial businesses.
The aim of Asset Mapping is to:

Identify and grow existing "entrepreneurial" business
Identify potential for new businesses
Provide an overview on the state of local industry/business
Identify gaps and trends in current provisions
Encourage inward opportunities
Support KEA and KDC in long term planning
Monitor KEA's use of Resources e.g. through Green Audit, zero waste, recycling initiatives (2010)
see www.kea.org.nz/businessresources

Cluster Development

“Cluster development is recognised internationally as a core approach to upgrading competitiveness and building and innovative economy. Some 75 countries around the world now have cluster programmes in place, with a focus on engagement at the local level”

Ifor Ffowcs-Williams http://www.competitiveness.org/ or www.clusternavigators.com

KEA is involved with several Cluster groups

Eastbay Courses Cluster
Olive Cluster - Plenty of Olives, Eastern Bay of Plenty
Engineering Cluster - Central Engineering Group, see http://www.cegroup.org.nz/ for more information

Community Gardens

Eastbay Courses Cluster

Visit www.eastbaycourses.co.nz
This cluster was established in 1994 and includes a number of providers of education.
Its goals are to:

be an effective organisation inclusive of all East Bay of Plenty providers (Organisation/Planning/Information)
have a high level of visibility with the region, promoting the importance of tertiary education (Marketing/Promotion/Representation)
provide tertiary leadership, support and solutions to the economic, social and educational development of the EBOP region (Networking/Collaboration).
The Cluster is chaired by John Rogerson of Metaltech - www.eastbaycourses.co.nz/pages/home/provider-list/metaltech.php

Industrial Land Availability

KEA has approximately 2 hectares of industrial land currently being developed into Lots of around 4000m². KEA owns 2 Industrial buildings housing a range of industrial/warehousing/commercial tenants.

For more information contact KEA on 07 323 7377 or visit http://www.kea.org.nz/investment-opportunities.asp Industrial Park photos.

Policies and Guidelines

KEA has developed a wide range of Policies and Guidelines for its own use.

These cover:

Governance
Risk Management
Health & Safety
Human Resources
Asset Management
Organisational

These are available for local Kawerau businesses to adapt and use as required.

For further information please contact us.

Plenty of Olives, Eastern Bay of Plenty

In 2007, KEA instigated a meeting of a group of local olive growers to explore ways of growing the local olive oil industry and moving into exporting high quality oil in the longer term. There are more than 15 local growers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with groves ranging in size from a few trees up to more than 3500 trees. Some groves were planted more than 10 years ago, others are more recent. KEA is providing administrative and secretarial support to the group.
This informal cluster is planning a stand at the Beacon Business and Leisure Show in September 2009 to showcase the range of extra virgin olive oils and to demonstrate the variety available now and the benefits of olive oil.

"Plenty of Olives" - Watch this space for new news!

Plenty of Olives Flyer/Pamphlet

Property Management

KEA owns industrial land and buildings for light industrial use.

Another building in the centre of Kawerau is home to a wide range of businesses with a particular focus on health and social services and commercial business.

Succession Planning

Succession Planning is one of the Key Objectives from the Business Retention and Expansion Key Driver agreed in KEA's Strategic Plan. Our businesses are vital to the health and wealth of our community. KEA is looking at ways of retaining its key SME's.

Waterwheel Historic Trust Trading as Waterwheel Heritage Park

Woodskills

KEA helped establish the National Woodskills Festival in 1989 and has been involved ever since. Recently, Kawerau District Council has worked with the Woodskills Committee and developed this into Woodfest. For more information visit http://www.crs.co.nz/woodskills . This event showcases some wonderful items made of wood and attracts large numbers to the Festival in Kawerau each September.

Other Links

Kawerau District Council - Economic Development http://www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/aboutourdistrict/economicdevelopment.asp