Business Opportunities
All industries can thrive and prosper through the opportunities in the South Waikato!
Some of the industries with potential include:
Freighting and logistics
Recent infrastructure developments have solidified the South Waikato's position as one of the nation's most promising locations for freighting and logistics services. Tokoroa's new road rail terminal and Waka Kotahi's highway development projects have made the ports of Auckland and Tauranga so accessible that the district is ideally positioned as a logistics hub.
Tourism
The Tourism industry in New Zealand is booming. High volumes of tourist traffic flow through the South Waikato along State Highway 1 and State Highway 5 allowing for great market access.
The Waikato River Trails and the famous Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Spring both get over 30,000 visitors annually each. These numbers are rapidly increasing with massive potential for further development.
There are also many other opportunities with tourism potential such as the rare Kokako bird project, health and wellbeing spas, beautiful lakes, outdoor pursuit centres and cultural tourism.
Manufacturing and Industry
An abundance of low cost industrial greenfield and serviced land makes the South Waikato the ideal place for your business. Access to labour, energy and natural resources as well as great transport infrastructure and a business friendly local authority makes the South Waikato the solution for you.
Information Services
Worldwide IT markets are at your fingertips in Tokoroa thanks to Ultra-Fast Fibre (UFF). Putāruru has also been added to the phase two rollout of UFF and this will begin in February 2018. Take advantage of Tokoroa's affordable land prices, secure geological environment and ideal lifestyle where exploring New Zealand's backyard is always just down the road.
Value added wood products
Historically, forestry has been the face of the South Waikato and it will continue to play a vital role with abundant resources, great access to export markets and tonnes of local expertise opening the door for firms interested in producing value added wood products.
Accommodation
With over 65,000 users of the Waikato River Trails and Te Waihou Walkway alone, not to mention our huge traffic flows and central location, there is ample opportunity to set up accommodation - from hotels to bed & breakfasts.
Engineering
Tokoroa is home to a cluster of successful engineering firms all operating within their own niche. Low cost land is plentiful and product development and market access is the name of the game. There is even a purpose built Trade Training Centre providing a skilled workforce for the engineering, automotive and logistics industries.
Gourmet food and beverage
The township of Putāruru is developing as a gourmet, artisan food and beverage destination. Craft beer businesses have the opportunity to access pure water from the Te Waihou Blue Spring and add to Putāruru's existing gourmet cheese, meat and beverage businesses.
Retirement services:
New Zealand's population is aging and an increase in services for the elderly is needed. Putāruru is already home to the Rangiura Rest Home and there is plenty of opportunity for more aged care services and facilities.
Dairy Industry
South Waikato has a comparative advantage in the dairy industry, attracting significant business investment like the $385 million Fonterra dryer at Lichfield. There is also opportunity around associated dairy services and value added dairy products.
Hospitality & Retail
By 2020 Tīrau, Putāruru and Tokoroa will be the first towns you pass through when traveling south from Auckland. There is opportunity to build on Tīrau's existing offering as a boutique retail centre and to leverage of the location and town development projects in Tokoroa and Putāruru.
Movie Sets
Movie quality landscapes can be found throughout our country, but the picturesque lakes, indigenous forests and rolling hills of the South Waikato will rival them all
Successful movies such as Yogi Bear and Pete's Dragon were shot in part in the South Waikato and are a real testament to our district incredible natural beauty.
