Work & Invest
Work with purpose, live with balance.
Looking to combine meaningful work with a great lifestyle?
The Whakatāne District offers a unique balance of career opportunity, business potential and coastal living. From world-leading sustainable industries to fast-growing sectors like tourism, aquaculture, and boatbuilding, the Eastern Bay of Plenty is full of possibilities for professionals, entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Whether you're planning your next career move or looking for a place to invest, the district offers stability, innovation, and a strong sense of community - all in a region where life outside of work is just as rewarding.
Find your next step
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Job search sites: SEEK, Trade Me Jobs, Indeed
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Businesses for sale: available via local brokers and platforms like realestate.co.nz
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Recruitment support: local firms such as Adcam Recruiting and Personnel Resources
Eastern Bay's economic backbone.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty, made up of the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki, and Kawerau districts, is home to around 54,777 people (Census, 2023). The region has a diverse and growing economy valued at over $2.4 billion (Infometrics, 2024), driven by strong primary industries such as forestry, agriculture, and aquaculture, alongside emerging sectors like renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing. Major investments in marine infrastructure and decarbonisation projects support these industries, positioning the Eastern Bay for long-term growth, resilience, and the creation of hundreds of new jobs over the coming decade (Infometrics, 2024).
