New Zealand is building seafood centre
Nelson's Wakatu Incorporation chief executive Keith Palmer and chairman Paul Morgan announced to The Press journalist Helen Murdoch plans for the 78ha Horoirangi Centre of Seafood and Aquaculture Innovation north of the city. Palmer said the timing was right, with a Government commitment to a billion-dollar aquaculture industry, support of Maori investment and involvement and the strengthening of industry partnerships. It was envisaged Horoirangi initially would have fingerling fish hatcheries, high-value extraction and aquaculture research facilities, he said.
Eventually an educational facility, seafood and Maori culture museum and a cafe or restaurant would be included. Morgan said the estimated cost of the initial infrastructure would be about $10m. Hurdles included gaining consent for a seawater intake pipe through the Boulder Bank and how to fill and drain the low-lying land. Morgan said a feasibility study was expected to be completed early next year. Wakatu wanted the affected land to be rezoned an aquaculture area and the Nelson City Council to include the project in its 2009 long-term plan review.
Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall congratulated Wakatu on its ‘‘leadership and vision’’, saying the council would do everything possible to support the iwi. Aquaculture New Zealand chief executive Mike Burrell said Horoirangi would complement the region’s current aquaculture research and development capabilities.
