The government has announced an investment of up to $20 million to redevelop Golden Bay‘s Port Tarakohe.

The investment was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and will assist with the cost of the port‘s redevelopment, along with additional funding from the Tasman District Council and industry.

Peters says the investment will provide a major boost to the region.

“The project will have significant flow-on effects to the industry and the community, creating hundreds of additional jobs long term, both on shore and on the vessels,” Peters says.

“The redevelopment will open up access to commercial marine berths while creating more working wharf space, a new food grade wharf area and harbour master building.”

Peters says this will help boost export earnings by allowing the region‘s mussel farming industry to expand, and will result in a sevenfold increase in production by Golden Bay‘s mussel farms over the next 10 years.

“The new port is also expected to create a greater demand for support services, such as boat maintenance and marine engineering.”

It is not only the commercial sector that will benefit from the redevelopment of Port Tarakohe.

“Tourism is important to Golden Bay and the region, and its beaches and natural beauty are a magnet for visitors. The new port will separate the commercial and recreational berths and create a recreational marina,” Peters says.

The project will also improve Golden Bay‘s resilience in the event of a natural disaster or Civil Defence emergency. 

The Port Tarakohe redevelopment is expected to take two years to complete.