Ōpōtiki harbour project presses on

Supporters of an Eastern Bay of Plenty harbour development to boost the aquaculture industry in the region are pressing on despite the government's refusal to fund current plans for it. The Ōpōtiki District Council and local iwi are seeking financial help to build a year-round navigable harbour entrance to service existing mussel farms, and allow local processing. But the Regional Economic Development minister Shane Jones has said the $145m dollar price tag is too expensive, describing the project as "fiscally gagging".