2 Young children and an adult inspect mini plastic skeletons at house of Science.

Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan

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The Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP) aims to help create some of the 100,000 jobs our region will need in the next 30 years. It also aims to improve the quality of life for our growing population.

To do this, we need to support our region to be more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable, with thriving Māori and Pasifika communities.

Focus areas

The REDP identifies issues and opportunities in four key focus areas that can help with the above goals. These sectors have potential growth opportunities and contribute to our regional identity. They are:

  1. Screen, creative and digital.
  2. Science, technology, engineering and high-value manufacturing.
  3. Visitor economy.
  4. Primary sector, food, and fibre.

The plan also supports and advocates for four key enablers. These will help unlock, leverage and build resilience in our businesses, iwi, and communities. They are:

  1. Māori economic development.
  2. Skills, talent and education.
  3. Water accessibility and security.
  4. Resilient infrastructure.
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Initiatives

The REDP includes 31 initiatives. They address the issues and opportunities identified in the key sectors and enablers.

WellingtonNZ works with initiative leads and key partners to progress these programmes. Initiatives provide real opportunities for businesses to grow and develop a skilled workforce.

Some of the initiatives of the plan include:

  • a screen attraction programme that has brought productions such as ‘Wolfman’ and ‘I, Object’ to our region
  • establishing a Summer of Engineering internship programme, providing work experience to engineering students and graduates
  • opening a tech hub to upskill senior leadership of our tech companies, to help them grow into global leaders and major local employers
  • providing students with opportunities to learn through House of Science, Tūhura Tech, and Girls Who Grow
  • supporting food and beverage manufacturers in Kāpiti-Horowhenua to access a logistics hub and explore options for shared production facilities
  • developing a science and engineering product commercialisation space in the Hutt Valley, to provide access to essential manufacturing resources
  • advocating for industrial water supply in the Wairarapa, needed to expand the capacity of manufacturing and primary sectors.
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Want to know more?

WellingtonNZ is implementing the plan on behalf of the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee. The committee brings councils, iwi, and central government together to take responsibility for our shared challenges. It aims to achieve better outcomes for our communities across the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua region.

Download the Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan [PDF, 8.8 MB]

Download the Annual Summary 2023/24 [PDF, 16.4 MB]

Download the Annual Summary 2022/23 [PDF, 50 MB]

Interested in hearing more?

WellingtonNZ is working with partners across the region to enact the plan. It’s a living document that will evolve and adapt as conditions change, relationships develop, and new initiatives arise.

The REDP Programme Management Office is happy to discuss the plan and its initiatives with you.

Get in touch