The Manawatū-Whanganui region enjoys impressive natural assets – three major rivers, national parks, ski fields and the volcanic plateau.
Its economic strength is based on agriculture, a wide range of industries and education, including one of the country’s major tertiary institutes, Massey University.
The Manawatū-Whanganui region’s economic development agency sees room for more growth and diversification and has identified priority investment areas in its action plan.
Economic action plan — Accelerate25
For full details on projects funded in the region:
Manawatū stories
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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 Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit is helping them get the project done.
27 May, 2021
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More funding to grow our regions – and a new identity for the Provincial Development Unit
A new fund has been created to boost the drive to grow regional economies.
27 May, 2021
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Horowhenua businesses connect with local employees
An employment and skills initiative based in Horowhenua celebrated its official launch recently with a group of local employers, educators and community leaders.
3 March, 2021
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Trucking awesome: Manawatū cadet loves his new career
Less than two months into his new job as a truck driver, Ryan Pickering was handed the keys to a brand new, eight tonne concrete truck worth more than $200,000.
2 March, 2021
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River rejuvenation supports Foxton growth
A recently rejuvenated section of the Manawatū River will support Foxton’s regional economic development, while providing environmental and quality of life improvements, says Chief Operating Officer of the Provincial Development Unit (PDU) Ben Dalton.
2 March, 2021
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More than $4.3m to boost rangatahi success
Seven community programmes are receiving more than $4.3 million funding boost from the government’s He Poutama Rangatahi initiative.
2 February, 2021
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All three digital hubs up and running
The launch of the Digital Spaces hub in Woodville marks the opening of three digital hubs for the Manawatū-Whanganui region.
27 January, 2021
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Horowhenua work-ready from the Get-Go
An innovative career pathway programme in the Horowhenua district is taking students on employment experience adventures with inspiring local businesses.
11 December, 2020
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Provincial Growth Fund almost allocated
The Government's $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has almost been fully allocated.
1 December, 2020
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Ngāti Rangi supports whānau transformation in Ruapehu
A holistic iwi-owned recruitment service is supporting whānau in Ruapehu to achieve their aspirations, thanks to a $960,000 Te Ara Mahi investment managed by the Provincial Development Unit (PDU).
27 November, 2020
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The digital marae – helping connect iwi around the country
The Provincial Development Unit is investing up to $1.8 million to help train iwi to get the most out of the programme to digitally connect marae.
20 November, 2020
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Fighting meth harm in the regions
In the past year the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has announced $19.72 million of investment across 18 regional programmes to reduce the harm of methamphetamine use in regional communities.
3 November, 2020
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New hub provides business boost for Horowhenua
A new co-working and collaboration area known as The Mahi Space has just opened its doors in Levin.
27 October, 2020
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$4.6m for Ruapehu cycle trails
Two extensions to the spectacular Mountains to Sea cycle trail in the Ruapehu District will receive a $4.6 million boost from the Provincial Growth Fund.
27 October, 2020
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3100 jobs created through marae upgrades
Over 350 marae throughout the country will be upgraded with a $95.6 million investment from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to create jobs and put money into the pockets of local tradespeople and businesses.
12 October, 2020
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Māori development gets over $18 million boost
Māori development projects across the country will receive a total of $18.8 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) that will create infrastructure and permanent jobs.
6 October, 2020
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Pasifika churches get $10m government funding
Pasifika churches around the country are receiving nearly ten million dollars in government help for renovations and improvements which will create jobs in the communities they serve.
2 October, 2020
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Whanganui food company benefits from Government funding boost
Whanganui is benefitting from Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) support which will help a local food processing company increase production, create jobs and encourage productive use of Māori land.
30 September, 2020
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More money to renovate town halls and war memorials
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing just under $12.4 million in the renovation of town halls and war memorials up and down the country.
28 September, 2020
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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.
17 September, 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.
11 September, 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.
7 August, 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.
28 July, 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.
24 July, 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.
15 July, 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.
14 July, 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.
19 June, 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.
19 June, 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.
15 June, 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.
3 June, 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.
3 June, 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.
2 June, 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.
15 May, 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.
28 April, 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.
27 March, 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.
25 February, 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.
11 February, 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.
15 January, 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).
12 December, 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.
12 December, 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.
4 December, 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.
21 November, 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.
29 July, 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.
13 June, 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.
7 June, 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.
24 May, 2019
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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.
29 November, 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.
15 November, 2018
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Published: 30 October, 2020