3-AD006.00 SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WAIHI NORTH PROJECT Oceana Gold New Zealand Limited WSP June 2022 13 3.4.3 EMPLOYMENT The unemployment rate in 2018 for Waihi town was 5%, which was higher than the local, regional, and national rates. More recently there has been a sudden upward trend in unemployment as a result of evolving market conditions, and the unemployment rate is likely to be somewhat higher than in 2018. Waihi town and the Hauraki District have a higher youth (15 to 24 years) NEET rate compared with the regional and national rates. The top-3 most common occupations in Waihi Town are, a) Labourers, b) Technicians and Trades Workers, and c) Community and Personal Service Workers. This is not reflective of the of local, regional, or national profile where professionals and managers generally make up the top two occupations. An understanding of the existing local workforce profile is useful when considering the workforce requirements for the WNP and the likelihood of local participation. Waihi having higher than average unemployment and NEET rates supports the potential for an increase in local workforce involvement in the project through skills development and training initiatives. The level of local involvement in the WNP workforce will affect the extent to which the workforce requirements will need to be met from outside the local area, and the associated population influx. 3.4.4 PROPERTY Occupancy of housing stock in Waihi is higher than in the local and regional area, and house construction within Waihi is significantly lower than the local, regional, and national rates. Based on April 2021 data, there has been an increase in the median residential property price in Waihi and in the local, regional, and national context. This is reflective of the current housing shortage and demand for housing currently exceeds supply. As of 2020, OGNZL had ownership of 126 residential properties in Waihi, which represents 6% of the total private dwellings in the Waihi area. Based on 2020 SIMP monitoring data, 60% of all OGNZL’s employees owned their current home, whilst the remainder either rented privately (20%), rented from OGNZL (10%) or had other accommodation arrangements (10%). The employment requirements to support WNP may result in the influx of new workers and their families into the Waihi and local area. A broad understanding of the available housing stock will inform the assessment of the ability of the property market to accommodate a potential increase in demand for housing. 3.4.5 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE Appendix B includes an overview of the key community facilities and infrastructure with Waihi town and the local area. There are 25 schools of various levels and deciles in the local area. There are several medical and emergency facilities located within the local area, with the two nearest public hospitals (with emergency departments) less than 60 km away from Waihi. The local area is characterised by a wide range of community facilities (including churches, marae, community centres, libraries) and sport and recreation facilities and clubs. The local community is relatively well serviced with essential and support infrastructure required for a balanced social environment.
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