Government backs oyster industry resilience

A $2.8 million investment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will help support the long-term resilience of the Northland oyster sector while backing economic opportunities for local communities, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft say.

Mahurangi oyster farms produce around a quarter of New Zealand's oysters but recurring closures due to water quality issues have disrupted harvests and put significant costs and stress on growers and the community, Mr Jones says.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) investment will be used to establish a new 6ha relay site, a 3ha commercial pilot oyster farm, and the supporting oyster farming infrastructure, vessels, moorings and marine assets required to operate the facility in Kaipara.

Mr Jones made the funding announcement at Pahi in Kaipara today.

Establishing a relay site in Kaipara will allow oysters to be relocated and naturally purified in the harbour there during closures until they can be harvested. It will reduce disruptions, back local livelihoods, and improve the resilience of this nationally significant industry, Mr Jones says.

The project is being delivered through a partnership involving Te Uri o Hau Settlement Trust and the Mahurangi Oyster Farmers Collective, which farms in the Mahurangi Harbour near Warkworth.

The commercial pilot oyster farm will help build aquaculture skills and capability within local hapū Te Uri o Hau, with experienced Mahurangi oyster farmers mentoring the next generation of oyster growers in Kaipara Harbour, Ms Marcroft says.

This is an exciting initiative aimed at safeguarding and growing a nationally significant industry, growing local skills, and contributing to the Government's goal of growing aquaculture revenue to $3 billion by 2035.

The RIF funding will be provided as a grant which will become repayable if the project generates sufficient revenue.