BPM expands in Tokoroa, fuelling jobs and exports from the District

Blue Pacific Minerals (BPM), a Tokoroa-based company using New Zealand’s natural zeolite to create sustainable solutions for farming and environmental challenges, has opened a new liquid nutrient production facility, bringing its entire manufacturing operation into the South Waikato and creating new jobs.

The new expansion was marked on Friday 25 July by a visit from Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, who toured the new site and acknowledged BPM’s success.

BPM CEO Jamie Mikkelson praised South Waikato District Council for its proactive approach and support throughout the project.

“We faced no roadblocks, just a team that understood our timeframes and helped us get the job done. That kind of partnership makes a real difference when you’re trying to grow a business,” Mikkelson said.

BPM’s new liquid nutrient facility is set to make a big impact, with the capacity expected to produce up to seven million litres annually which is enough to support 120,000 hectares of farmland while helping farmers reduce their carbon footprint by up to 50% without compromising on feed quality, rather improving it.

“We’re bullish on growth and proud to be based here in Tokoroa. With strong domestic demand and a growing export market, we expect to double our staff in the next few years and 90% of them will come from this region,” says Mikkelson.

This expansion brings into Tokoroa BPM’s entire production operation, which was previously split between New Plymouth and the South Waikato. The new plant allows the company to meet growing domestic and export demand for its zeolite-based solutions which enhance soil, plant and animal health while reducing environmental impact.

CEO Jamie Mikkelson says the move just made sense.

“Tokoroa is a brilliant place for logistics: it’s close to the port, centrally located with a strategic rail connection and has a strong local workforce. We ship more than 14,000 containers a year and this site gives us the capacity to keep growing,” says Mikkelson.

The new plant will immediately create three new full-time roles, with a further 5-10 jobs expected as BPM ramps up production. Most of the company’s 50 existing staff already live in Tokoroa or nearby Putāruru and the new roles will also be locally recruited.

“We’ve just hired a team leader who previously worked at the Kinleith Mill so it’s a great example of South Waikato retaining skilled people and creating new opportunities even in tough economic times,” Mikkelson says.

South Waikato District Council Mayor Gary Petley says BPM’s investment is a win for the entire region.

“This is exactly the kind of business growth we want to see in the South Waikato. Homegrown innovation, new jobs for local people and global ambition. We’re proud to support BPM and the business community here to keep expanding,” says Mayor Petley.

The new facility is part of a broader strategy that has seen BPM launch three new internal startups since Covid focused on animal health, plant, soil and turf, and liquid nutrients. These ventures are already generating multi-million-dollar revenues and growing by more than 50% year-on-year.