The Waikato region is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River, which gives the region its name. The region is the country’s fourth largest regional economy, emphasising a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.
Major industries in the Waikato include dairy farming, forestry, tertiary education, manufacturing, health and community services. The region, especially the city of Hamilton, is also developing a solid reputation for its growing digital economy.
Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit projects projects are supporting the region’s fast-growing population; addressing gaps in skills and labour, growing its global reach and building on its prime location in the heart of the North Island.
For full details on projects funded in this region:
Waikato stories
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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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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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Community effort — Te Awa River Path reopens
Hamilton locals are celebrating the reopening of a popular cycleway in the Waikato region, which has undergone remediation work thanks to a funding package administered by the Provincial Development Unit (PDU).
19 January, 2021
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Breaking ground for Pasifika in Waikato
Pasifika communities in Waikato came together on Saturday for a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of the new Pan Pacific Community Hub.
11 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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Pan Pacific Community Hub provides holistic wellbeing
The government is investing $8 million in to the K’aute Pasifika Trust (KPT) to back their development of a community hub which will provide businesses and other support to Waikato Pasifika people.
6 November, 2020
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Growing skills and capability with the Provincial Growth Fund
The Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti will receive more than $7 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to grow skills and capability in sectors such as health, horticulture, construction and engineering.
20 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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$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 expands Sugarloaf Wharf in Thames-Coromandel
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has made a $19.95 million investment that will expand Sugarloaf Wharf in Thames-Coromandel, increase mussel farming capacity by almost 20,000 tonnes and bring additional jobs to the region.
12 June, 2020
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Prefab building manufacturer in Otago gets funding
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing in a new company that will manufacture high-tech prefabricated timber buildings for residential and commercial use.
12 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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Funding builds sustainable solutions for Waikato
A Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment of just over $1 million will help build sustainable pathways in construction for young people living in the Waikato region.
17 March, 2020
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Taupō Airport upgrade takes off thanks to $5.87m boost
A vital upgrade to Taupō Airport is about to take off thanks to a $5.87 million Government funding boost.
10 March, 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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River Raft Guide Cadets reach a milestone
Saturday December 14, 2019 marked a major milestone for cadets working towards their professional raft guide qualifications.
16 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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$12m of PGF support gets Waikato Theatre across the line
The Waikato will soon be home to a world-class 1,300 seat theatre following a $12 million investment from the Provincial Growth Fund, Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern has announced.
28 November, 2019
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The PGF continues its run of announcements
The week of August 12-16 was yet another busy one for the Provincial Growth Fund with seven ministerial funding announcements totalling nearly $24.5 million.
22 August, 2019
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