A new initiative in Katikati is focused on boosting businesses and expanding the job market.

The Focus Katikati Trust aims to grow businesses and job numbers by creating sector clusters to attract and retain people in the region.

A meeting was held last month to discuss the new trust and introduce the project. The trust invited Cluster Navigators chief executive and founder Ifor Ffowcs-Williams to talk about the benefit of cluster developments. Cluster Navigators has developed economic cluster groups in more than 50 countries.

Local interest

Trust chairman John Clements said the meeting stirred interest among entrepreneurs and, based on conversations afterwards, attendees saw the potential.

He said there was a significant number of businesses with potential in the area, as highlighted by last year’s Western Bay Museum’s Food Bowl of Plenty exhibition.

“While Katikati has a vigorous horticulture sector, especially in avocado and kiwifruit, many locals have expressed concern that there is not the range of jobs to hold young people — and the census statistics supports that.”

A sure sign of an underperforming region is the record export of skilled people, he said.

“Katikati faces this challenge — retaining and attracting younger high-skilled people.”

Growing a greater variety of jobs in the economy was also important as, despite Katikati having a strong social network, the town needs to retain people to be the next generation for social and community organisations, he said.

The idea behind business clusters is to pull together similar industries and companies to help them work together and support each other.

New Zealand clusters include Wellywood, Agritech NZ, Aerospace NZ, blue economy cluster Moananui, engineering cluster Engage South and Ceda in Manawatu.

The next steps are mapping out similar sector businesses who wish to collaborate and strategise to grow.

For more information contact Clements on 021 717 025.