The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) welcomed the announcement today by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones of the Taranaki Action Plan, as an example of a more diverse and sustainable future for New Zealand’s regions. CTU Secretary Sam Huggard said the funding boost towards economic diversification including clean energy, conservation, tourism and Māori business innovation was a positive move.
“We know some regions of New Zealand have benefited for a long time from the income provided by heavily extractive industries. The people working in these industries deserve a clear plan for their future employment. By acting early with regional plans across Ministers and Departments, the Government is signalling that it will put heartland interests front and centre of an economic transition.”
“A just transition in New Zealand to a net zero emissions future will eventually affect everyone, but it won’t affect everyone equally. Minister Jones is doing the right thing by focusing first on rural economies like Taranaki to kickstart sustainable, fairer, higher-wage jobs.
“We’re looking forward to more regional action plans that local government, business, and working people can have their say on being rolled out this year,” Mr Huggard said. “We’re very keen engage working people in the process to decide what the future for our regions will look like.”