Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce's took a whistle stop tour of Tauranga today visiting local businesses to discuss economic development and local industry.

This morning the minister visited Trimax Mowing Systems industries in Maleme Street before later talking over business issues at The Hub on Cameron Road.

The Tauranga visit is part of a series of visits he's making round the country.

The Minister told SunLive economic development in the Bay of Plenty is a bit of a mixed bag, but things are looking up.

'It's a bit of a mixed story - we've had a couple of changes. I met with the Zespri team this morning. The growers have had a pretty tough time of it, and that flows through to the rest of the community.”

The kiwifruit industry's struggle with the vine killing disease Psa-V is only one part of the Bay's economic story and Steven points to businesses like Trimax which started as a mowing equipment supplier and has today grown past that to becoming an exporter in its own right, about to begin manufacturing its mowers in Europe.

'We can help with NZTE funding, research and development and general help around the edges the best we can,” says Steven.

Economically the Eastern Bay of Plenty is struggling more than the Western Bay of Plenty, says Steven.

To hear more about Steven's visit to Tauranga watch the latest video.