Manawatū/Whanganui is characterised by its impressive natural assets - the Whanganui River, national parks, ski fields and the volcanic plateau. It is located in the centre of the North Island, and its largest centres are Palmerston North and Whanganui.
There is enormous potential in the Manawatū/Whanganui region. Accelerate 25, the region's economic development agency, has identified priority areas for investment within the Manawatū/Whanganui Economic Action Plan.
Tourism, mānuka honey, poultry, aged care, and business processes are just some of the industries that Accelerate 25 are focusing on as part of their plan.
We've identified this region as a priority for early investment from the Provincial Growth Fund. We are excited by what the future holds for the region and its people.
For full details on projects funded in the region:
Manawatū stories
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Ka mua, ka muri — development starts with land restoration for Te Urumingi Whānau
The descendants of Te Ratana Te Urumingi have big aspirations for a block of ancestral land in Paetawa, which they are preparing to support potential farming, honey and forestry developments.
September 17, 2020
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Local firms bring on new talent for Ruapehu redeployment
Four Ruapehu businesses have brought on 25 new staff and secured work for their existing teams, thanks to Provincial Growth Fund support for redeployment efforts in the region.
September 11, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund almost allocated
The Government's $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has almost been fully allocated.
August 11, 2020
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Manawatū-Whanganui training and upskilling boost
Three Manawatū-Whanganui programmes will receive nearly $2.5 million of support from the Provincial Growth Fund’s (PGF) Te Ara Mahi allocation to support local jobseekers and employees to quickly train and upskill.
August 7, 2020
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Uenuku pou completes site at the foot of Ruapehu
Over the last six months Uenuku tohunga whakairo (master carver) Kura Te Wanikau-Tahana-Tūroa has led a group of carvers, including three generations from one whānau, to design and create the pou-whenua, Uenuku Te Pou Tipua o Tūroa.
July 28, 2020
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Foxton Regeneration receives $3.86m PGF kickstart
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing $3.86 million to kickstart the Foxton Regeneration project, which is a regional plan to rejuvenate the Horowhenua town of Foxton.
July 24, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund supports Uenuku carving programme
The funding will mean up to six rangatahi aged 18 years or older have the opportunity to experience carving two mornings per week over two months, working with Uenuku master carver Kura Wanikau-Tahana-Tūroa.
July 15, 2020
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PGF investment in Whanganui Port
A Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $26.75 million was announced in Whanganui on 2 July, to support four projects related to the redevelopment of Whanganui Port.
July 14, 2020
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Wildlife sanctuary upgrade gets $2.5 million support
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has invested $2.5 million to expand and develop the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in the lower North Island.
June 19, 2020
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$60m for nationwide job creation
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is providing $60 million to councils and KiwiRail to create employment for local workers.
June 19, 2020
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PGF funds Māori flax and farm business
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is supporting the Ruahuihui Ahu Whenua Trust in the Manawatu-Whanganui region with funding of $210,000 to turn their under-used land block into an economically viable business.
June 15, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund reset helps regional economies
At least $600 million of Provincial Growth Fund money will be used to support regional economies as they recover from COVID-19.
June 3, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund helps grow iconic art in Whanganui
Construction is well underway to refurbish the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare O Rehua, in Whanganui.
June 3, 2020
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Young people and regional communities get $14.79m funding boost
Programmes supporting regional communities and young people into work have received $14.79 million of government funding.
June 2, 2020
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Five regions to get new digital hubs through Provincial Growth Fund
Five more of New Zealand’s regions will be better connected through Provincial Growth Funding of $2 million for new digital hubs.
May 15, 2020
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PGF grows Māori economy
Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) support for the Māori economy is expected to have far-reaching effects, a report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) has found.
April 28, 2020
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PGF funding being repurposed to help protect jobs and businesses
The Provincial Development Unit is working across government, business, and industry to protect jobs and businesses as the global economic downturn due to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact on our regions.
March 27, 2020
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PGF supports Vinegar Hill Water Storage
A Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) grant of $90,000 will help the Vinegar Hill community water storage scheme take its next steps, Head of the Provincial Development Unit Robert Pigou has announced.
February 25, 2020
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Whenua Māori funding benefitting communities
Māori landowners and their whānau from all over New Zealand will benefit from an allocation of about $30 million of Provincial Growth Fund funding across 30 applications across the country.
February 11, 2020
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PGF supports Wairarapa water with $7.11 million
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa.
January 28, 2020
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PGF investment in Pacific employment programme reaps rewards
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of $8.85 million (announced in February last year) to allow the Tupu Aotearoa programme (formerly the Pacific Employment Support Service) to be expanded to the regions is reaping rewards.
January 15, 2020
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Small businesses in Ruapehu district backed by $400,000 PGF boost
Small businesses in the Ruapehu district will soon be backed by a dedicated Regional Digital Hub in Ohakune thanks to $400,000 of investment from the government's Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).
December 12, 2019
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Manawatū-Whanganui business gets PGF support
The Provincial Growth Fund announced $772,000 in funding for the Manawatū-Whanganui region in November.
December 12, 2019
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TAM-funded Tupu Aotearoa programme encourages growth mindset
Having successfully completed the Tupu Aotearoa programme run by Alignz Recruitment, Fuaifale Tyrell sees things from a very different perspective.
December 4, 2019
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Funding boosts new inventions for Predator Free 2050
Innovation and technology are behind five new tools which will soon be used save native wildlife by removing predators, developed through support from Predator Free 2050 Limited.
November 21, 2019
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The Whakapapa Sky Waka Gondola – about the people for the people
Hearing the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) was supporting the high-speed gondola for Whakapapa ski field was the best news this community’s had in years,” says local Ruapehu businessman Bruce Lawrence.
July 29, 2019
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Horowhenua local joins Provincial Growth Fund’s Manawatū-Whanganui team
There’s a new yet familiar face on the Provincial Growth Fund’s (PGF) Manawatū-Whanganui regional team, with Horowhenua local Catriona McKay joining as Principal Regional Advisor.
June 13, 2019
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Provincial Growth Fund invests $400,000 in Rural Innovation Lab
Mathew Hocken, Rural Innovation Lab Board Chairman, says a $400,000 investment from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) puts farmers and growers in Manawatū-Whanganui at the heart of solving challenges identified by people working in the sector.
June 7, 2019
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Supporting innovative predator control in the regions
Predator Free 2050 Limited will help deliver the New Zealand Government’s ambitious goal of eradicating possums, stoats and rats by 2050 to prevent further loss of our unique taonga species.
May 24, 2019
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Ruapehu high-speed gondola
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is building a new high-speed gondola to move more people up Mount Ruapehu. Funding from the Provincial Growth Fund is helping them get the project done.
December 6, 2018
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Improving digital connectivity in the regions
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced that the Provincial Growth Fund will invest $40 million to improve digital connectivity in the regions.
November 29, 2018
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Rail and skills the focus of new investment in Manawatū-Whanganui
Regional Economic Development Minister, Shane Jones, has announced a Provincial Growth Fund package worth just over $48.2 million for Manawatū-Whanganui.
November 15, 2018
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Published: Aug 19, 2020