Reti ShaneDr SHANE RETI (National—Whangarei): It is a pleasure to speak today in support of the Prime Minister's statement and to support the clear evidence for a stable and growing economy. The Prime Minister's statement led off with: The Government's programme of responsible economic and fiscal management is delivering benefits for New Zealanders." With reference to the regions the statement read: "This includes the regional growth programme working with local communities to develop and implement economic action plans." This time last week Ministers Joyce Bridges Barry and Guy attended a Northland regional action plan progress meeting in the Far North. It was an opportunity to review a year of progress under the regional action plan. I want to talk to some of the highlights that are actually outcomes supporting the Prime Minister's statement.Firstly the biggest economic driver for Northland is the $700 million road of national significance (RONS) from Pūhoi to Wellsford. The groundbreaking ceremony before Christmas was welcomed by Northlanders as a start to this important corridor joining Northland and the economic powerhouse that is Auckland. However Northlanders do not need to wait for the RONS to reach Whangarei to see roading improvements. They can see the investment in roading right now today as they enter the Whangarei electorate and see the multimillion-dollar road safety improvements being built on top of the Brynderwyns. And while you are there at the top of the Brynderwyns looking out over Bream Bay what do you see? Well you see the majestic visage that is Bream Bay One Tree Point Marsden Point Ruakākā and Waipū. But look closer and you will actually see something else because what you are also looking at is what Infometrics recently announced as a regional economic hotspot. Infrastructure investment supports economies which is supporting Northland.A second action plan is the Government's ongoing commitment to the Hundertwasser Arts Centre. The Hundertwasser Arts Centre was proudly announced by Minister Joyce a year ago and was being supported by Minister Barry and Minister Bennett during 2016 and was strongly supported by Minister Bridges last week as the new Minister for Economic Development. They all get what the community gets: the important annual economic impact of $22 million that Hundertwasser will bring to the North. I want to especially note here the ongoing guidance and support from Minister Barry on this project.I have highlighted two progress items but the nature of the economic upturn in Northland also supports the Government's ongoing drive to diversify the economy. A Northland snapshot would show that the kiwifruit and avocado industries are doing well and log prices across Northport are strong. Manufacturing is doing well with the Marsden Point oil refinery taking on new operators in a workforce that is now close to 500 people. Cullen Engineering the Whangarei-based steel manufacturing joint-venture for the Auckland convention centre is taking on more staff. And if you go into central city Whangarei today to Pak 'N Save and look across the road you will see another new commercial development being built and a sign from Steve Bowling Contracting saying: "Workers wanted". Construction is doing well in Whangarei. There are new jobs for residential and commercial projects as well as huge infrastructure projects such as the recently completed million-dollar roundabout at Kensington led by AJ and Annie Robinson from a local firm called Robinson Asphalts.Tourism is a billion-dollar industry for Northland and is a discussion all on its own and for another time but highlights include the recent New Zealand Transport Agency region-specific targeting of Melbourne people to Northland and of course the superb current Air New Zealand safety video shot around Paihia and the Hokianga. On a related matter however supporting tourism in Northland requires a regional air service that has a schedule that meets the needs of the travel community and is reasonable and reliable and I challenge Air New Zealand to up its game in Whangarei and Kerikeri.The real extent and depth of diversification of the Northland economy can be seen in the launch of the Hawaiki Cable at Mangawhai before Christmas providing redundancy to New Zealand's sole operator. New people have come to Whangarei; new people bring their own micro-economy. They each spend on average $65000 per year of household expenditure and that money goes through the economy. They buy clothes food petrol transport and housing and that all supports the local economy. Whangarei is growing. People are coming to Whangarei. Just recently the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research announced its findings for 2016 and Whangarei was the second warmest city in New Zealand last year.The people of Whangarei are looking for more than just the turnaround that they are seeing. They do not just want to look; they want to find. And in this Prime Minister's statement they are finding a road map that will guide and fulfil their aspirations. Thank you."