Released in 2016, the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan is the region’s strategy for increasing job opportunities and quality of life – by connecting people, business and our environment.
Developed by business leaders, iwi, communities, hapū, and councils, in partnership with central government, the plan is about realising a short and long-term vision now and through to 2025.
In 2020, Accelerate25 underwent a review to set a refreshed Action Plan for our region’s economy. That review resulted in a series of refresh recommendations which were adopted by the Accelerate25 Lead Team in early 2021. To achieve these recommendations, the Accelerate25 work programme and accompanying A3 visual presentation has been created.
The work programme describes the focus for the Accelerate25 Lead Team for the coming two years and beyond. It will serve as a platform that will retain agility, adapt to changing circumstances and recognise new initiatives.
Pillars and Bearers
The refresh has identified four “Pillars” and six “Bearers” as the transformative priority areas to drive economic growth within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, and build a modern, contemporary economy. The Pillars are the wealth creation drivers of the economy that create regional comparative advantage. They collectively comprise the key elements of the growth centre. The Bearers are the essential foundations and enablers upon which the pillars rest and depend on.
4 Pillars
Sustainable food and fibre
Including Food Technology products and Agri-tech capability
Specialised services
Technology, high value specialised manufacturing and tertiary services
Māori economy
Realising the value lying in the Maori economy
Tourism
Shaped with a long-term view
6 Bearers
Effective transport networks
Throughout the region and with other regions, scaled for growth
High performing workforce
Through education, learning and skills
High speed internet connectivity
To support enhanced business technologies
Community infrastructure
To support quality of life and attract population
Energy
Renewable and available
Environmental sustainability
Because this is a bottom line for a modern economy
A glimpse of a Manawatū-Whanganui future could reveal a national growth centre based on sustainable food and fibre, enhanced into Food-Tech and Agri-Tech, supported by specialised services, the Māori Economy and Tourism (the four pillars).
The bearers to support and transform these pillars are effective transport networks, a high performing workforce, high speed internet connectivity, community infrastructure, energy and environmental sustainability.
Within the Pillars and Bearers there are a number of projects, some of which are part of COVID-19 recovery, while others have a longer term direction for the region – which have been identified to drive economic growth, leading to overall prosperity.