File photo. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
The government has earmarked more than $2 million to expand an aquaculture business hub in Southland.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones announced the Regional Infrastructure Fund $2.2m loan at the Ocean Beach industrial park in Bluff on Thursday.
South Island Industrial Fund will use the loan towards its $6.3m expansion on the site of a former freezing works, which is already being used to farm seaweed, pāua, and whitebait onshore.
The project includes increasing its shared services for more businesses, expanding its farming pods, building training, research, worker accommodation, and tourism facilities.
Jones said they were backing the development of an aquaculture centre of excellence, which supported the government's goal to reach $3 billion in sales by 2035.
"When fully operational, Ocean Beach will provide emerging aquaculture businesses with the infrastructure they need to produce, distribute and export their products, teach the skills needed in the sector and provide a place to invest in aquaculture," he said.
"Ocean Beach is the gateway to Bluff.
"Its clear waters, cool climate, and thousands of kilometres of coastline will help make it a world-class aquaculture centre of excellence and the largest of its kind in New Zealand."