Photo by Jet Productions
Striving for our community thriving
‘Thrive Wairarapa’ An Economic Development Strategy for 2022 - 2030 and beyond.
Foreword
Since the release of the first Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS) in 2017/18, a huge amount of experience has been gained in taking a region-wide approach to economic development. In addition, the environment around economic development has changed. There have been five years of steady growth in the national economy, falling unemployment and low interest rates. There have also been rampant property values, COVID-19 limitations, national controls on immigration and more latterly a significant uptick in inflation. In regional terms the advent and the departure of the Provincial Growth Fund has been a major influence on resource availability for regional projects.
Photo by Jet Productions
the Strategy
What we are trying to achieve
A close study of the Wairarapa economy and community illustrates a number of key characteristics of the region which help define the direction of the refreshed Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS).
Photo by Jet Productions
Action Plan
How we are going to do it
Opportunities, which focus on growing comparative advantage, and enablers, which focus on building resilience are assigned to five primary areas of focus which allow us to group together complementary workstreams. Workstreams are likely to cut across more then one focus area, using available resources to build collectively towards the whole.
If we are successful, we will see:
Active Iwi/community relationships
• An active Iwi/Māori economy
• A shared sense of direction built on mutual respect
• Opportunities for collaboration on joint initiatives
Enterprise improvement
• More businesses
• Improved employer skills
• Greater use of digital capabilites
Environmental improvement
• Restoration of forests and wetlands
• Improved water quality in lakes and rivers
• Improved soil quality
Prosperity improvement
• Rising household incomes
More jobs, better training
• Rising skill levels
• Jobs to match
Low carbon economy
• Playing our part in creating a new
low carbon economy
Photo by Jet Productions
areas of focus
Key Priorities
There are two ways to help the Wairarapa achieve its vision to thrive: opportunities, which focuses on growing comparative advantage, and enablers, which focuses on building resilience. These strategies are assigned to five primary focus areas which will be our key priorities moving forward.
Photo by Jet Productions
development
Skills & Workforce Groups
There is almost a perfect storm in the skills and recruitment field resulting in acute shortages of labour at all skill levels right across the Wairarapa economy. There are strenuous efforts being made to remedy this situation and urgent support is required. WEDS will support and enable the Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) to implement the refreshed workforce plan, where the goal is to grow the Wairarapa workforce by 2000 people by 2030.
Beautifully Designed
The latest News & Events
Keep up to speed with our latest news, events and success stories.
Get in touch…
Want to get in touch with the people in the know…
Get in touch…
Want to get in touch with the people in the know…
