7 Sep 2014

Regions call for development help

2:40 pm on 7 September 2014

The Grey District Mayor, Tony Kokshoorn, says regional New Zealand needs assistance to develop its economies, and will be looking to the incoming Government for that.

Mr Kokshoorn met Labour Party leader David Cunliffe in Greymouth yesterday to discuss the party's regional plans.

Labour says it will invest in jobs and growth through its $200 million Regional Development Fund.

Mr Kokshoorn said the West Coast will definitely be contesting for that money.

"It's not all about Auckland. We need some assistance down here on the West Coast to diversify away from our traditional businesses.

"We know coal will come back but it will never come back as big as it has in the past, so we have to make a transition. We need capital to make that transition."