The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.
Some of the major industries in Waikato include dairy farming, forestry and wood, higher education, manufacturing, and health and community services. But there's a lot more to the region than that: Waikato, and especially the city of Hamilton, is developing a solid reputation for its growing digital economy.
There's a strong focus on projects to support its fast-growing population, address gaps in skills and labour, grow its global reach, and build on its advantageous location at the heart of the North Island.
The Waikato region published its 20-year economic development strategy, Waikato Means Business, in 2014.
For full details on projects funded by the Provincial Development Unit in the region:
Waikato stories
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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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$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 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.
June 12, 2020
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PGF boosts Waikato infrastructure
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $16.8 million to complete the Ruakura Spine Road project in the Waikato region with the creation of 200 construction jobs.
June 12, 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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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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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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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.
March 17, 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.
March 10, 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 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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River Raft Guide Cadets reach a milestone
Saturday December 14, 2019 marked a major milestone for cadets working towards their professional raft guide qualifications.
December 16, 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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$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.
November 28, 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 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.
August 22, 2019
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Eight regions to receive $14M to expand 3D mapping
Eight Regional Councils, in partnership with their Territorial Authorities and others, have applied for and will receive $14 million of co-funding from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to obtain, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) elevation datasets.
May 21, 2019
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Published: Aug 19, 2020