Opotiki’s Primary Industries
AGRICULTURE
The Ōpōtiki District is potentially one of the most productive areas in New Zealand with versatile soils a warm, moist climate. This 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 taken over by horticulture as earner in the district over the last 50 years. The most productive and versatile soils are older alluvial soils and those on flat to rolling terraces. Much of the higher terraces are now in kiwifruit. Dry stock farming of beef and to a lesser extent sheep and forestry make up the balance.
The Ōpōtiki District is potentially one of the most productive areas in New Zealand with versatile soils a warm, moist climate. This 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 taken over by horticulture as earner in the district over the last 50 years. The most productive and versatile soils are older alluvial soils and those on flat to rolling terraces. Much of the higher terraces are now in kiwifruit. Dry stock farming of beef and to a lesser extent sheep and forestry make up the balance.
AQUACULTURE
With a massive injection of funds provided by the “Provincial Growth Fund” the vision to develop and service a mussel farm in the ocean off the coast of Ōpōtiki is becoming a reality. The mussel factory is operating providing much needed employment. Work on opening the Ōpōtiki bar is progressing well.
With a massive injection of funds provided by the “Provincial Growth Fund” the vision to develop and service a mussel farm in the ocean off the coast of Ōpōtiki is becoming a reality. The mussel factory is operating providing much needed employment. Work on opening the Ōpōtiki bar is progressing well.
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.
HORTICULTURE
Kiwifruit is a well established and expanding industry in the surrounds of Ōpōtiki and there has been a rapid expansion on the East Cape around Omaio, Te Kaha and as far as Raukokore. Full time employment figures have lifted markedly in recent years during harvesting and packing. There are various Avocado blocks spread around the district. More recently there has been a surge in plantings of Macadamia nuts with the Macadamia Nursery at Torere supplying most of New Zealand’s macadamia plants.
Kiwifruit is a well established and expanding industry in the surrounds of Ōpōtiki and there has been a rapid expansion on the East Cape around Omaio, Te Kaha and as far as Raukokore. Full time employment figures have lifted markedly in recent years during harvesting and packing. There are various Avocado blocks spread around the district. More recently there has been a surge in plantings of Macadamia nuts with the Macadamia Nursery at Torere supplying most of New Zealand’s macadamia plants.
|
|
Whakatohea Mussels Processing Facility & Open Ocean Mussel Farm
|
The Whakatōhea Mussel Farm lays 8.5 km off the coastline of Ōpōtiki. The farm expands across over 3800 hectares of nutrient rich, clear, and open ocean water space. During harvesting season mussels are collected and delivered directly to the Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki for processing. The facility has the capacity to produce various mussel products for domestic and international markets; ranging from frozen mussel meat, frozen half shell, to live whole shell.
|
|
Over 20 years ago, Whakatōhea iwi created the aspiration to develop a Greenshell™ Mussel farm off the coastline of Ōpōtiki. The vision was that the farming operation would be the foundation of employment for their people, provide income for whanau, and support improved outcomes for the entire community. Creating the world's first Open Ocean Greenshell™ Mussel Farm of such magnitude was no easy feat. The consent process took over 10 years of legislative change and resource consent approval, followed by a further 5 years of research and feasibility trials. The application for a marine farming space was launched in 2000 and granted in 2009.
Capital was the next challenge, and for the next five years the company sought to raise the funds to enable the venture to get off the ground. It was during this time that the community came together, with both local Māori and Pakeha, businesses, families, and local trusts investing to enable the farming operation to further expand.
Development of the marine farm started in 2014. By 2018, there were ideas to expand further with the development of a purpose-built Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki. With support from the New Zealand Governments Provisional Growth Fund and Whakatōhea Mussels shareholders, the mussel facility project commenced in March 2020 and was completed in July 2021.
Prior to the opening of the Ōpōtiki Mussel Processing Facility, Whakatōhea Mussels employed 18 staff. This has now grown to over 180. The full flow on effects for Ōpōtiki will not be apparent until 2025-2030 as the business develops and becomes fully established.
The Open Ocean Mussel Farm and associated Mussel Processing Facility were established to support Te Whakatōhea iwi's long-term vision of ‘Ko te kai hoki i Waiaua - to be the food bowl that feeds the world’.
Capital was the next challenge, and for the next five years the company sought to raise the funds to enable the venture to get off the ground. It was during this time that the community came together, with both local Māori and Pakeha, businesses, families, and local trusts investing to enable the farming operation to further expand.
Development of the marine farm started in 2014. By 2018, there were ideas to expand further with the development of a purpose-built Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki. With support from the New Zealand Governments Provisional Growth Fund and Whakatōhea Mussels shareholders, the mussel facility project commenced in March 2020 and was completed in July 2021.
Prior to the opening of the Ōpōtiki Mussel Processing Facility, Whakatōhea Mussels employed 18 staff. This has now grown to over 180. The full flow on effects for Ōpōtiki will not be apparent until 2025-2030 as the business develops and becomes fully established.
The Open Ocean Mussel Farm and associated Mussel Processing Facility were established to support Te Whakatōhea iwi's long-term vision of ‘Ko te kai hoki i Waiaua - to be the food bowl that feeds the world’.
|
|
SEEKA TM
Ōpōtiki’s temperate climate makes it an ideal place to grow kiwifruit, providing plenty of employment opportunities for locals and visitors during the annual harvest.
Whether you’re picking fruit off the vines in our local orchards, or joining our outstanding Packhouse team, you’ll contribute to our local economy and help make this community a great place to live.
The Seeka OPAC site has been a key employer for over three decades and our wider company operates post-harvest facilities across the North Island.
Together, we offer locals and seasonal workers the chance to be involved in one of our country’s top-performing industries. New Zealand is the largest global exporter of kiwifruit, supplying over 50 countries worldwide.
Fruit quality is of the upmost importance at Seeka OPAC and we work hard to be the best in the business. We’re also committed to sustainability along with looking after our staff and supporting the wider community. This is a fantastic place to live and work so come and join us today.
Whether you’re picking fruit off the vines in our local orchards, or joining our outstanding Packhouse team, you’ll contribute to our local economy and help make this community a great place to live.
The Seeka OPAC site has been a key employer for over three decades and our wider company operates post-harvest facilities across the North Island.
Together, we offer locals and seasonal workers the chance to be involved in one of our country’s top-performing industries. New Zealand is the largest global exporter of kiwifruit, supplying over 50 countries worldwide.
Fruit quality is of the upmost importance at Seeka OPAC and we work hard to be the best in the business. We’re also committed to sustainability along with looking after our staff and supporting the wider community. This is a fantastic place to live and work so come and join us today.
Whakatōhea Mussels Processing Facility & Open Ocen Mussel Farm
|
The Whakatōhea Mussel Farm lays 8.5 km off the coastline of Ōpōtiki. The farm expands across over 3800 hectares of nutrient rich, clear, and open ocean water space. During harvesting season mussels are collected and delivered directly to the Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki for processing. The facility has the capacity to produce various mussel products for domestic and international markets; ranging from frozen mussel meat, frozen half shell, to live whole shell
|
|
Over 20 years ago, Whakatōhea iwi created the aspiration to develop a Greenshell™ Mussel farm off the coastline of Ōpōtiki. The vision was that the farming operation would be the foundation of employment for their people, provide income for whanau, and support improved outcomes for the entire community. Creating the world's first Open Ocean Greenshell™ Mussel Farm of such magnitude was no easy feat. The consent process took over 10 years of legislative change and resource consent approval, followed by a further 5 years of research and feasibility trials. The application for a marine farming space was launched in 2000 and granted in 2009.
Capital was the next challenge, and for the next five years the company sought to raise the funds to enable the venture to get off the ground. It was during this time that the community came together, with both local Māori and Pakeha, businesses, families, and local trusts investing to enable the farming operation to further expand.
Development of the marine farm started in 2014. By 2018, there were ideas to expand further with the development of a purpose-built Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki. With support from the New Zealand Governments Provisional Growth Fund and Whakatōhea Mussels shareholders, the mussel facility project commenced in March 2020 and was completed in July 2021.
Capital was the next challenge, and for the next five years the company sought to raise the funds to enable the venture to get off the ground. It was during this time that the community came together, with both local Māori and Pakeha, businesses, families, and local trusts investing to enable the farming operation to further expand.
Development of the marine farm started in 2014. By 2018, there were ideas to expand further with the development of a purpose-built Mussel Processing Facility based in Ōpōtiki. With support from the New Zealand Governments Provisional Growth Fund and Whakatōhea Mussels shareholders, the mussel facility project commenced in March 2020 and was completed in July 2021.
|
|
Prior to the opening of the Ōpōtiki Mussel Processing Facility, Whakatōhea Mussels employed 18 staff. This has now grown to over 180. The full flow on effects for Ōpōtiki will not be apparent until 2025-2030 as the business develops and becomes fully established. The Open Ocean Mussel Farm and associated Mussel Processing Facility were established to support Te Whakatōhea iwi's long-term vision of ‘Ko te kai hoki i Waiaua - to be the food bowl that feeds the world’. |
|
Ōpōtiki is bursting with opportunity and it is the perfect time to try something new, start a new venture or join one of the exciting
industries burgeoning in the Eastern Bay “There is no better time to be living, working or investing in the district. “We have a harbour entrance taking shape on our coast that will open up the town to an important new role supporting the aquaculture industry on our doorstep. The factory is already processing world-famous Whakatōhea Mussels. The new marina area is under development, the town centre is growing and flourishing. |
|
We have a brand new community hub with Te Tāhuhu o Te Rangi on Ōpōtiki’s main street. Extended cycleways and horse trails, significant housing projects in the pipeline, and millions being spent upgrading the infrastructure to keep up with this growth.
|
“Up the coast the growth continues with irrigation projects extending horticulture opportunities and new and emerging industries such as mānuka, macadamias, algae and spat.
“Locals who left many years ago are starting to return and finding sustainable and varied employment opportunities in Ōpōtiki. “Whether you are a visitor just passing through, or fortunate enough to live here, work here or have business investments become part of Opotiki’s booming future". |
