How will the Regional Deal work?
The Western Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing sub-regions but growth comes with challenges. A Regional Deal will help address the needs of significant and ongoing population growth and create opportunities for economic growth, jobs, new housing, and better, connected infrastructure across the region.
A Regional Deal would give our sub-region access to a long-term partnership with central government to tackle the real issues. It would provide an economic growth plan that has rigour, certainty and commitment, and unlock new funding and financing tools to manage growth.
The City and Regional Deal framework is based on a 30-year vision, with negotiated 10-year strategic plans to deliver the shared priorities agreed to.
The priorities for our region that will inform the Regional Deal include:
- Economic diversification
- Boosting exports
- Enabling housing and land development
- Improving transport infrastructure
- Improving social infrastructure
These priorities are grounded in the SmartGrowth strategy and shared by all three local councils.
What’s in it for the people of the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region?
Our sub-region’s aspirations with central government include delivering up to 40,000 homes, supporting the creation of 35,000 jobs and delivering real GDP growth of 4.5% per year.
A Regional Deal will help by:
- Delivering more housing and improving affordability
- Attracting new businesses and investment
- Supporting wage growth and job opportunities
- Improving regional transport connectivity
- Improving access to education, health care and other essential services
- Certainty - certainty drives confidence, confidence drives investment
Where are we at in the process?
The Western Bay sub-region’s proposal was submitted in February 2025 and in July, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the sub-region and central government, marking a significant step toward a potential City and Regional Deal partnership.
With the MOU signed, our sub-region is now working with central government to negotiate the terms of a Regional Deal.
A first deal is expected to be announced by the Government by the end of this year, with the second and third deals likely to be announced in February/March 2026.
For more information about City and Regional Deals, please read the documents on the links below.
Key links