The Government has chosen Northland as the starting point for a new programme to unlock the primary production potential in the regions.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be working with regional interests to develop agriculture, horticulture, forestry and aquaculture.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy, who launched the programme on Thursday, says it is starting with Northland because of that region's potential - a good climate combined with large areas of land ready and waiting for further development.
He says the future in Northland is bright because the region has such a large asset base, for example he says there are 116,000 hectares of Maori freehold land in Northland and if the Government can assist with lifting the overall potential and viability of that land it will lead to more jobs and exports.
He says over time the Government would like to see the unemployment rate drop in Northland.
Mr Guy says the Primary Industries Ministry is already working with two Maori-owned farms in Northland.
He says MPI is providing technical support to some iwi farms in the region.
