Otago’s magnificent and varied scenery is famous around the world, with tourists attracted to the towering mountains, sprawling ski-fields, deep alpine lakes and powerful rivers.
The region also enjoys a rich and diverse history which is highlighted in the main city of Dunedin and the region's many and varied small towns.
Otago's economy is driven by tourism, manufacturing, horticulture, agriculture and forestry.
Otago’s six councils, together with central government, have come together to work on a strategy to propel Otago into the future.
Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit has chipped in to support getting this strategy over the line.
For full details on projects funded in the region:
Otago stories
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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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Engineering companies in Southland and Otago get PGF boost
Two engineering companies will receive a total of $329,885 Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment to increase their productivity and create more jobs in the Southland and Otago regions.
16 October, 2020
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Funding to grow southern food sectors
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will invest over $718,500 to grow Dunedin and Invercargill food industries.
16 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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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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$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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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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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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Pacific employment programme extends reach to Otago
Thanks to the support of the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), the Ministry of Pacific People’s Tupu Aotearoa programme expanded from Auckland and Hamilton, to regions around the country.
20 March, 2020
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Land, air and sea: regions to benefit from NZ Upgrade
Regional New Zealand will be a hive of activity in the coming months as the New Zealand Upgrade Programme delivers on its promise to modernise our infrastructure, prepare for climate change and help grow our economy.
28 February, 2020
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NZ Upgrade on South Island roads
Safety and climate change resilience are behind South Island regional roading projects that are being brought forward as part of the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.
28 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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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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PGF makes Dunedin-ites happy
The Provincial Growth Fund has provided $57.86 million for Dunedin projects.
18 November, 2019
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Building Otago’s construction workforce
More than 700 construction projects worth $10 billion are forecast to descend on the Otago region over the next 15 years.
17 June, 2019
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