The following media statement has been issued by Tony Bonne, Mayor of the Whakatāne District.
Whakatāne Mayor Tony Bonne has welcomed an announcement by Chinese company Nongfu Spring — the new owner of the Otakiri Springs water bottling and distribution business — that it is committed to sustainable management of the water resource and to making a meaningful contribution to the local community.
“The exporting of bottled water is a contentious issue around the country, and I know that many people worry about the depletion of a precious resource,” he says. “However, the aquifers beneath the Rangitāiki Plains offer a very substantial water source, which I believe can support a bottling industry which is sustainable in the long-term, if they are managed responsibly.”
Mr Bonne says the Whakatāne District Council has been instrumental in having water bottling included in the Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Growth Study.
“Our interest is firmly centred on economic development — making the best possible use of our resources to generate jobs and prosperity for our community. To that end, we would like to see bottling activities grow and employ more local people. We also want to see more of the economic activity the industry generates captured in the Whakatāne District, with the largest opportunity being through locally-sourced product transportation services.
“The Council has engaged Business and Economic Research Limited (BERL) to undertake an economic impact assessment of water bottling in the Whakatāne District. I look forward to receiving BERL’s final report, which I hope will identify a way ahead for the industry and provide a basis for stakeholders to understand the potential benefits water bottling offers.“
He says Nongfu Spring’s acknowledgement of the kaitiaki of local hapū and iwi, together with its commitment to employing local people in the ‘state-of-the-art’ bottling plant it intends to develop, were particularly encouraging.
“As I understand it, the company has a resource consent which allows it to extract water for bottling until 2025, and that it is currently only taking a small proportion of the consented water volume. That provides an opportunity for Nongfu Spring to develop its business, demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the resource, and establish meaningful and beneficial relationships with iwi and other stakeholders.
“As Mayor, I welcome responsible development, and I’m happy to back Nongfu Spring in its efforts to create a successful business and strong local relationships.”
The following joint media release has been issued by Otakiri Springs and Nongfu Spring.
A family‐owned and operated water bottling company Nongfu Spring is promising to invest in the Otakiri and Kawerau districts, provide significant local employment and add considerable value to the community and regional economy.
The shareholders of the local Otakiri water bottling and distribution business, Otakiri Springs, have agreed to sell the business to Nongfu Spring, which intends to invest in new state‐of‐the‐art bottling technology, as well as invest in the wider community and its infrastructure. The sale is subject to Overseas Investment Office approval. Otakiri Springs’ CEO Jim Robertson said, “The shareholders of Otakiri Springs have been looking to sell the business for some time. We are pleased to have reached agreement for the sale of Otakiri Springs to such a large, experienced water bottling business. Nongfu Spring will be able to help Otakiri Springs further expand its New Zealand premium brand with its strong local roots not only in New Zealand but also globally.”
Nongfu Spring Chairman Zhong Shanshan, who visited local hapū in December, says he is determined that his family’s company will take a different approach to some other foreign‐owned companies setting up businesses in New Zealand.
“We acknowledge the kaitiaki of local hapū and iwi, as well as the interests of Otakiri neighbours and businesses in ensuring that this precious resource is managed appropriately and sustainably on behalf of the community,” says Chairman Zhong.
“We are a newcomer to your community, and as such we ask for your guidance in how we can best serve your community — and by serve, I mean make a meaningful contribution to the region and its people,” he says.
The company intends to employ 50 full‐time staff once the plant is fully operational, and Chairman Zhong says, “It is our intention to hire local members of the community first; we gave that commitment to local hapū when we met at two hui in December."
Nongfu Spring is also looking to develop tourism operations connected with the water bottling plant in order to capture a share of the Chinese tourist market for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and Chairman Zhong says the company will work closely with the district and regional councils to develop these opportunities to bring increased employment and visitor spend.
Chairman Zhong and Michael Gleissner, Managing Director of Nongfu Spring’s New Zealand business, have now met with manawhenua and many members of the neighbouring community and local authorities.
Adds Chairman Zhong, “We want to make Otakiri and Te Teko our second hometown, our turangawaewae outside of China. At Nongfu Spring, we understand that stewardship of fresh spring water is a privilege, not a right, and brings with it many responsibilities.
“I also understand that while giving generously is important, being part of the community in which you work is more important,” he says.