Otago’s stunning scenery offers an attractive natural playground for locals and visitors, making tourism an important part of the region’s economy.
Health care, agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining are also valuable contributors to the local economy.
Hospitality is one of Otago’s major employers with construction and real estate industries also thriving.
Helped by central government, Otago’s six councils have come together to work on a strategy to propel Otago into the future. Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit has provided support to get this strategy over the line.
For full details on projects funded in the region:
Otago stories
-
Kānoa-funding projects open in Otago, enabling further regional growth
Two Otago landmarks worth more than $33 million officially opened today, heralding further economic development for the region’s tourism and wider community.
25 August, 2023
-
Investment into film, food and beverage sectors in Central Otago
The Government is continuing to invest in projects in Central Otago Districts as part of an ongoing strategy to develop alternative industries which are not tourism focused.
5 April, 2023
-
Lakes District Museum ready for tourist season
The Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown was officially reopened on Friday, 9 December after a lengthy restoration process.
16 December, 2022
-
CRHL welcomes newly appointed members
Crown Regional Holdings Limited (CRHL) has increased its Board of Directors from three to seven, welcoming Dame Patsy Reddy, Anne-Marie Broughton, Elizabeth Hopkins and Rosie Mercer.
28 June, 2022
-
Engineered for success – expansion of innovative engineering youth training programme
An innovative Provincial Growth Fund-backed youth training programme in South Otago is already proving so successful that it's being rolled out across the lower South Island.
11 August, 2021
-
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
-
Addressing wool industry skill shortages
Today is the first ‘in-shed’ day for 60 shearers and wool handlers enrolled in an ambitious pilot programme, which aims to plug skill gaps by growing and upskilling New Zealand’s wool industry workforce.
10 May, 2021
-
Open for business — Dunedin skills hub launches
More than 1500 people in the Otago region will benefit from a newly opened job and skills hub says Mark Cartwright, general manager of Workforce Central Dunedin.
9 December, 2020
-
Provincial Development Unit taps into growing gaming industry
The Provincial Development Unit (PDU) supported New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence’s (CODE) first contestable funding round, will allocate close to $450,000 to Dunedin-based game developers to tap into the growing global gaming industry.
2 December, 2020
-
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
Stay up to date with funding announcements in your region Subscribe to our newsletter , opens in a new window See a list of all Kānoa – RDU managed projects