A new committee to manage the Ōpōtiki Harbour will meet for the first time on Tuesday.

The Ōpōtiki Harbour Management Committee will assist Ōpōtiki District Council in ensuring the harbour is well managed, all stakeholders are heard, and commercial and non-commercial objectives are met.

It is responsible for budgets and work programmes, advising the council on navigational and safety requirements, engaging with stakeholders and is a forum for user groups to report to.

It is also responsible for promoting integrated harbour use as much as possible, to continually review non-rate funding sources to reduce reliance on ratepayers and to work collaboratively with all users to ensure the harbour’s economic success.

The committee replaces the former Ōpōtiki Marine Advisory Group, formed in 2009 to support the Ōpōtiki harbour development.

Committee members are: Councillors Barry Howe and Dean Petersen representing the council, with Howe as chairman, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kōhi Māori constituency councillor Mawera Karetai, Kānoa executive Brent Chalmers, Te Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea chief executive Dickie Farrar, Whakatōhea Mussels chief executive Peter Vitasovich representing commercial users and Spike Petersen representing non-commercial users.

The group will meet every two months, or more often if needed.