Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP)

Four people stand in a semi-circle, each holding an aluminium foil figurine shaped like a bird.

Two cyclists ride along a gravel path between a country road and a grassy field passing thick trunk trees along the way.

A fraser Engineering worker checking over their work on fire trucks.

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.

A family walks along a wooden path near Castlepoint, rocks in the background are lit up by the glaring sun.

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.

A student uses a laptop computer and a smiling teacher stands by their side.

It’s full STEAMM ahead for E2E Centre

A Wellington charity is teaching a group of young women skills to set them up for life and work.

Leon Bowie looks up smiling while sitting in a café at a small table by the front window using his laptop.

Tūhura Tech nurtures future talent

Tech guru Leon Bowie is so passionate about technology he’s created a charity to help upskill the next generation – for free.

Accelerator Project’s Jon Kroll and Melissa Conway are behind the scenes with ‘Extreme Cake Sports’ producer Bevin Linkhorn.

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.

A person in an bright orange safety vest is working on the a metal machine in an industrial warehouse.

Summer of Engineering bridges the gap

The Summer of Engineering internship programme helps employers find talent in a talent-short market and gives students real-life work experience.

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

House of Science kits prove popular

Hands-on experiments are helping primary and intermediate students and teachers alike discover the fun of science in the classroom.

Two smiling participants in the Summer of Engineering are standing in a room, smiling in front of a sign that says 'Clutterbot'.

Summer of Engineering interns prove their worth

The Summer of Engineering internship programme helps employers find talent and gives students real-life work experience.

A Pōhutukawa tree with red flowers and green leaves planted near a wharf, where a person is walking a dog by the waterfront, the city of Wellington sits behind.

Report examines equitable access to procurement opportunities

WellingtonNZ is excited to announce the release of its Opportunities for Impact through Procurement report.

Two people shopping at an outdoor market.

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]