In the period 1988 to 2001, employment in Rotorua’s wood and paper products sector increased by around 400 full-time equivalents. Food andbeverage processing is also a significant local employer.There are 364 business units involvedprimarily inmanufacturing in the District.
Of these, 110 businessesproduce machinery and equipment directly related to theforestry and agricultural industries.

This compares to a national average of less than 11% relative to all manufacturing. Other manufacturing industries include metalproducts, printing and publishing, chemicals and associatedproducts, textiles and clothing, and non-metallic mineralproducts.

Many international and domestic companies haverecently begun manufacturing in Rotorua and are producing products for both the domestic and export markets. This is asector which is expected to continue experiencing growth and development in the future.