Opotiki’s Primary Industries
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OPAC
OPAC in Ōpōtiki is dedicated to growing three things – great fruit, great people, and great communities. This can be seen clearly in OPAC’s operations and value proposition, but also in how they operate from day to day. The New Zealand Kiwifruit is an ever-evolving industry and is trend setting in producing healthy food. At OPAC we firmly believe that a company only has the right to exist, and will only succeed, with the full support of all of its people, its owners and the community it operates within, and we should never lose sight of that. Without people and our community, we don’t exist. The fruit is just an outcome of our peoples hard work and the support of our community as custodians of the resources we apply to produce this exotic fruit OPAC holds every piece of fruit to the highest standard with fruit quality is our main focus. |
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Despite this statement seeming straightforward, that quality spans across the product, service, conditions for staff and many other areas of OPAC’s vast network.
Since its conception over three decades ago, OPAC has acted as a key player in Ōpōtiki’s economy, fighting unemployment and attracting tourism through seasonal work and provide a unique cultural of the Eastern Bay of Plenty to our visitors. OPAC as an organization has strong relationships within the community, including a loyal base of growers who have stuck around and grown alongside them.
Over 450 jobs provided primarily to Ōpōtiki people at the height of each season, supplemented of our seasonal work force from the Pacific Islands and tourists that want to explore the East Cape and its culture.
Since its conception over three decades ago, OPAC has acted as a key player in Ōpōtiki’s economy, fighting unemployment and attracting tourism through seasonal work and provide a unique cultural of the Eastern Bay of Plenty to our visitors. OPAC as an organization has strong relationships within the community, including a loyal base of growers who have stuck around and grown alongside them.
Over 450 jobs provided primarily to Ōpōtiki people at the height of each season, supplemented of our seasonal work force from the Pacific Islands and tourists that want to explore the East Cape and its culture.
AGRICULTURE
The mild climate and high sunshine hours gives Ōpōtiki it’s own micro climate and the area is well suited to a wide variety of farming. Dairying has been the stand-out for the last 50years. Dry stock farming, beef and now days to a lesser extent sheep and deer also contribute to the area’s economy.
The mild climate and high sunshine hours gives Ōpōtiki it’s own micro climate and the area is well suited to a wide variety of farming. Dairying has been the stand-out for the last 50years. Dry stock farming, beef and now days to a lesser extent sheep and deer also contribute to the area’s economy.
AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture offers huge potential for the economy of the Ōpōtiki District. The local Ōpōtiki tribe Whakatōhea has always had a relationship with the sea and has been a driving force behind the development of “Open Ocean Mussels” which is a consortium of Whakatōhea and local Ōpōtiki investors. Exciting times last year when a small initial harvest was made of Green Lipped Mussels. These proved to be of excellent quality. Moving on to this year a much larger crop is at present being harvested yielding a top quality mussel. The development of the farm is ongoing with only 130 hectares of the 3,800 hectares being utilized at present. Although Mussels are on top of the present agenda, the license held covers a variety of other seafoods which will systematically be investigated. The future of the Ōpōtiki District Councils Harbour Development project, is a vital ingredient in the development of the Mussel Farm. This would allow associated processing of the shellfish to be based in Ōpōtiki. The Aquaculture venture and the associated Harbour undertaking has had great support both at local and regional level and is fundamental to the future well being of the Ōpōtiki District.
Aquaculture offers huge potential for the economy of the Ōpōtiki District. The local Ōpōtiki tribe Whakatōhea has always had a relationship with the sea and has been a driving force behind the development of “Open Ocean Mussels” which is a consortium of Whakatōhea and local Ōpōtiki investors. Exciting times last year when a small initial harvest was made of Green Lipped Mussels. These proved to be of excellent quality. Moving on to this year a much larger crop is at present being harvested yielding a top quality mussel. The development of the farm is ongoing with only 130 hectares of the 3,800 hectares being utilized at present. Although Mussels are on top of the present agenda, the license held covers a variety of other seafoods which will systematically be investigated. The future of the Ōpōtiki District Councils Harbour Development project, is a vital ingredient in the development of the Mussel Farm. This would allow associated processing of the shellfish to be based in Ōpōtiki. The Aquaculture venture and the associated Harbour undertaking has had great support both at local and regional level and is fundamental to the future well being of the Ōpōtiki District.
Open Ocean’s Mussel boat the Northern Quest at work off the coast.
FORESTRY
There is large tracts of land planted in exotic forest, mainly pine in the Ōpōtiki District. Harvesting and replanting has been ongoing for some years. Many logging trucks may be encountered heading for the ports.
There is large tracts of land planted in exotic forest, mainly pine in the Ōpōtiki District. Harvesting and replanting has been ongoing for some years. Many logging trucks may be encountered heading for the ports.
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HORTICULTURE
Horticulture is well established here as a major industry, particularly Kiwifruit. With ever increasing plantings over 14 million trays are expected. The fruit growing industry is serviced by three packhouse coolstore complexes. With constant expansion, full time employment figures have lifted markedly in recent years and balloon out to 1200 plus during harvesting and packing. Some avocados blocks are spread around the district with smaller plantings of tamarillos, passionfruit,feijoas and some nuts with some lifestyle blocks growing a wide range of produce. |
Kiwifruit packing line – Photo by Brian Young
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