A new partnership between four organisations will look to attract and retain skilled migrants to the Western Bay of Plenty.

The Western Bay of Plenty Regional Partnership Agreement has been developed by the Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District councils, Priority One and Immigration New Zealand.

The signing of the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Partnership Agreement, from left: Tauranga City Council's Garry Poole, Western Bay of Plenty District Council's MIriam Taris, Immigration New Zealand's Judi Altinkaya and Priority One's Greg Simmonds. Photo: Supplied.

The three-year plan will see all four organisations sharing research, information and best attraction and retention practices across regional, national and international settings.

'Skilled migrants, investors and international students have a critical role to play in the continued economic growth of the Western Bay of Plenty,” says Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby.

His view is supported by Western Bay of Plenty District mayor Ross Paterson, who adds that strong relationships between local councils and government agencies are immensely important.

'This RPA provides a framework from which we can work together to connect the Western Bay of Plenty with the rest of the world,” says Ross.

Both councils will focus on migrant retention and community-building, while Priority One and Immigration NZ will focus on attracting and retaining skilled migrants, including international students and migrant investors.

Priority One strategic projects manager Greg Simmonds says the attraction and retention of skilled migrants is necessary to sustain and stimulate economic growth.

'Migrants play an important role in the transfer of knowledge and skills supporting innovation and growth, as well as addressing the skills gaps we have in a number of our key sectors,” says Greg.

Settlement, Protection and Attraction Unit general manager Steve McGill adds the new collaboration identifies opportunities where Immigration NZ can support migration priorities for Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty District.

'A critical ingredient in the Regional Partnership Agreement approach is the active engagement with partner agencies,” says Steve.

'So they are thinking about the role Immigration can play in their economic development strategy – the Western Bay of Plenty has been an exemplar in this respect.”

Immigration NZ will also support the Western Bay of Plenty International Strategy, recently considered by the Joint Governance Committee meeting of TCC and WBoPDC and recommended for approval on December 9.