New Zealand's regions have so much to offer. Let's unlock that potential.
| Jobs created | Trainees | Projects | Total funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13,000 | 11,000 | 1,653 | $4,511.4m |
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The Regional Strategic Partnership Fund
A new fund has been established to invest more in our regions so they can build their economies, grow businesses and provide jobs.
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Funded projects
Get details on Kānoa - REDIU projects.
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Submit an expression of interest
He Poutama Rangatahi and the Māori Trades Training Fund have transitioned to the Ministry of Social Development.
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About Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit
Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Kānoa – REDIU), delivers government funding to nurture economic development in regional New Zealand.
Originally established as the Provincial Development Unit in 2018, the new name 'Kānoa' was chosen in 2021 to better reflect our goal of helping build sustainable, inclusive and productive regional economies.
This new name coincides with the establishment of a new funding programme, the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund (RSPF) which is providing $200 million seed funding to invest in regional priorities.
Kānoa – REDIU continues to monitor and administer already established funding programmes.
These include the Provincial Growth Fund, the Infrastructure Reference Group, the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme, Regional Investment Opportunities, and the COVID-19 Worker Redeployment initiative.
About our name
In te reo, the literal translation of 'kā' is fire and 'noa', without restraint.
Used in proverbs and lore, it also provides a broader meaning in Te Ao Māori.
Kānoa was guardian of Hawaiki’s Rua-kumara or kumara store house. By distributing kumara to others, he helped his people thrive and develop both their whenua (land) and their capability. The name 'Kānoa' was chosen for the unit by Te Rau Kupenga in recognition of Kānoa as kaitiaki, a guardian who helped grow prosperity through investment.
The phrase "Kei te kā noa te ahi?" – "Is the fire burning?" – is also used by tangata whenua to ask if their home fire is alight and all is well.
This meaning encapsulates the core principle of Kānoa – REDIU – the organisation – to enable the development of people and their communities to ensure their wellbeing and prosperity.