Recent news and announcements from Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.
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Crucial flood resilience work begins in Southland
One of the largest flood resilience investments by the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is underway in Southland, with physical works beginning on the Mataura River flood resilience infrastructure upgrade.
25 May, 2026
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Solar project begins on Rakiura / Stewart Island
Physical works have started on a major renewable energy project on Rakiura / Stewart Island that will significantly reduce the island’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and help deliver cheaper power and a more resilient network.
22 May, 2026
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Three more regional airlines receive loans
Three more regional airlines will receive Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) loans from the $30 million ear-marked to help support at-risk regional air routes and safeguard essential services.
28 April, 2026
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Port Nelson upgrades to buoy local economy
The completion of major works at Port Nelson with funding support from government will strengthen the region’s ability to service medium to large vessels and support long-term regional economic growth.
20 April, 2026
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New name, same superhot kaupapa (purpose)
New Zealand’s pioneering superhot geothermal undertaking, formerly known as the New Zealand Supercritical Geothermal Project, is now ‘GeoShot NZ’.
20 April, 2026
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Water project for boosting food production
A loan of up to $18.13 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) is supporting the Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawke’s Bay with the aim of boosting food production and creating jobs.
7 April, 2026
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Mystery Creek water network to be upgraded
Water infrastructure at Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton – home of the country’s premier agricultural event, National Fieldays – is being upgraded with the help of a Regional Infrastructure Fund loan of $1.35 million.
2 April, 2026
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Geothermal receives support from the RIF
A $50 million allocation has been set aside from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for geothermal projects, helping unlock new renewable energy, jobs and regional resilience.
26 March, 2026
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RIF to strengthen Hamilton Airport’s resilience
A loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) will support the extension of Hamilton Airport’s runway, increasing its capacity to support a wider range of aircraft and strengthen the resilience of the national aviation network during emergencies.
26 March, 2026
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Masterton's Hood Aerodrome upgrade complete
Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome has completed a major upgrade of its airfield infrastructure, improving safety and strengthening its ability to support the region’s economy, with a $10 million government grant from the COVID-19 Response Recovery Fund.
23 March, 2026
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Superhot geothermal preferred contractor named
New Zealand firm Todd Energy has been selected as the preferred lead contractor to drill New Zealand’s first exploratory superdeep, superhot geothermal well, which – if successful – could bring about a step change in New Zealand’s energy supply.
11 March, 2026
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Gas Security Fund expert panel appointed
Gas and energy industry specialist Andy Knight is to chair a panel appointed to provide expert advice to the Government on applications to the Gas Security Fund.
4 March, 2026
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Pre-construction work for new Falls Dam
Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) funding will support the future resilience of Central Otago’s primary industries with a $2 million loan towards pre construction work on a proposed replacement for the 90-year-old Falls Dam near St Bathans, Otago.
26 February, 2026
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Golden Bay Air receives first regional airline loan
Golden Bay Air is the first airline to receive a concessionary loan from funding ear-marked for at-risk regional air routes.
25 February, 2026
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New suite of Regional Infrastructure Fund reports published
Kānoa has published a new suite of monitoring and reporting reports for the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
17 February, 2026
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Support for energy resilience in the Far North
Reliable, affordable electricity is on the way for a kura (school) and 5 marae north of Kaitaia, supported by a grant of up to $1.26 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
13 February, 2026
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Regional Infrastructure Fund support for Māori horticulture
The government is investing a total of $6.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) into 2 horticulture developments on underutilised Māori land in Northland and Waikato.
13 February, 2026
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Government loan helps boost productivity for Taranaki land
The government is providing a $950,000 loan through the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to support the Omuturangi 6E and 7A Ahu Whenua Trust, to increase productivity on its farmland near Hāwera.
10 February, 2026
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Government supports infrastructure for Kaikohe housing project
A $4 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) will help fund the infrastructure needed to create up to 100 new affordable homes as part of a Kaikohe social housing project.
10 February, 2026
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds road access improved
Road access to one of New Zealand’s most important cultural sites, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, was upgraded in time for Waitangi Day events.
10 February, 2026
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CRHL Annual Report 2025 highlights strong regional impact
Crown Regional Holdings Limited’s (CRHL) Annual Report 2025 shows that government investment is delivering real economic benefits across New Zealand’s regions.
3 February, 2026
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$10m investment in new Ringatū Marae complex
The Government is investing just over $10 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to upgrade the National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty.
3 February, 2026
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Funding boost for Nelson Marina project
Nelson’s planned marina expansion has been provided a $12.89 million Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) loan, which will help deliver infrastructure upgrades to drive economic growth and generate local jobs.
3 February, 2026
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Government support for Timaru intersection
A $2.84 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) will support a project to clear bottlenecks on State Highway 1 in Timaru, unlocking major commercial development and new jobs.
3 February, 2026
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Airport upgrade to strengthen regional resilience
Wairoa Airport will receive a $4.2 million upgrade to help support the region’s growing needs, especially during emergencies.
3 February, 2026
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Hotter, deeper, cleaner: Powering our way to 'supercritical' geothermal energy
New Zealand is at the fore of a global race to unlock one of the potentially most powerful renewable energy sources on Earth.
28 January, 2026
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New racing hub unlocks housing potential
A racecourse in the Hawke’s Bay will be transformed to help free up prime land for houses in Hastings, with a loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
23 January, 2026
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Waikato Regional Theatre opens its doors
A new era for the arts has arrived in Hamilton with the opening of the Waikato Regional Theatre, a 1,300-seat landmark backed by a $14 million government grant from the former Provincial Growth Fund.
23 January, 2026
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Southland industrial subdivision receives boost
The Government has provided a $3.1 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to kickstart an industrial subdivision near Gore.
23 January, 2026
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Fuel access boost for Marlborough Sounds communities
Remote communities in the outer Marlborough Sounds will soon have access to a local, reliable petrol supply at Elaine Bay through a $350,000 grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
15 January, 2026