Footsteps of Change
Discover iconic landmarks, learn about the city, and explore founding civic moments that have defined New Zealand’s history with this free self-guided tour.
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:
- Screen, creative and digital.
- Science, technology, engineering and high-value manufacturing.
- Visitor economy.
- 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:
- Māori economic development.
- Skills, talent and education.
- Water accessibility and security.
- Resilient infrastructure.
Jet Productions
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.
Read about some of the initiatives
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Local roots and global growth at Taiawa Tech Hub
Taiawa Tech Hub is helping local businesses in Wellington take on the world. Home for 12 diverse businesses, Taiawa gives these emerging companies everything they need to focus on international growth.
Pitch perfect: Wellington’s screen accelerator is taking talent global
The Screen Accelerator Project helps creators turn ideas into commercial productions. With Emmy-winner Jon Kroll’s guidance, locals gain industry insights to put Aotearoa’s stories on the world stage.
Wairarapa‘s stellar night sky
The International Dark Sky Reserve in Wairarapa has some of the darkest skies available on Earth. Local businesses are welcoming the long night.
LoCarb ensures sustainable future
A new initiative from WellingtonNZ and Hospitality NZ makes sustainability accessible for tourism and hospitality, focusing on no and low-cost tools and practical advice.
A Summer of Tech at Cogo
Wellington fintech Cogo teams up with A Summer of Tech to grow New Zealand talent and tackle climate change with smart, scalable solutions.
It’s full STEAMM ahead for E2E Centre
The E2E (Education to Employment) Centre’s STEAMM programme teaches employment and life skills to a group of Wellington East Girls’ College students.
Tūhura Tech nurtures future talent
Tech guru Leon Bowie is so passionate about technology he’s created Tūhura Tech, a Wellington-based charity to help upskill the next generation – for free.
Screen project launches producer onto international stage
As part of Wellington’s Screen Accelerator Project, ‘Extreme Cake Sports’ producer Bevin Linkhorn has interest from a Hollywood producer.
Bridging the gap
The Summer of Engineering internship programme helps employers find talent in a talent-short market and gives students real-life work experience.
House of Science kits prove popular
Hands-on experiments from House of Science NZ are helping Wellington students and teachers discover the fun of science in the classroom.
Interns prove their worth
The Summer of Engineering internship programme helps employers find talent and gives students real-life work experience.
Report examines equitable access to procurement
WellingtonNZ is excited to announce the release of its Opportunities for Impact through Procurement report, which seeks to support a thriving regional economy.
Read the full plan
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 2024/25 [PDF, 26.15 MB]
Want to know
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