Our Vision
A vision seeks to capture and galvanise the spirit that will lead the Wairarapa forward. The vision for the refreshed WEDS is:
"Thrive Wairarapa"
Striving for our community thriving
Photo by Jet Productions
What is WEDS?
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS) is a regionally-owned plan to grow a resilient, future-focused economy - one that reflects who we are and what makes Wairarapa THRIVE.
Adopted in 2022 by the three Wairarapa district councils: Carterton, Masterton and South Wairarapa, the shared strategy helps our region to:
• Work smarter together
• Align our efforts together
• Unlock funding and resources that support realising the Strategy.
By working as one region with a shared vision, the three councils - alongside iwi, business, and community partners - we can better support local businesses, attract investment, grow good jobs, and create a sustainable future for our people and places.
Why it matters
Why it matters
Who we are
Partnership with WellingtonNZ
To drive the successful delivery of the WEDS, the three Wairarapa district councils: Carterton, Masterton and South Wairarapa, have an agreement with WellingtonNZ, acting on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council.
This agreement runs through to 30 June 2027 and ensures a coordinated approach to growing Wairarapa's economic advantage. The delivery model will be reviewed as part of the local government's Long Term Planning processes in 2027.
Programme Management Office (PMO)
WellingtonNZ was selected as the best organisation to act as the Programme Management Office (PMO) for WEDS. As PMO, WellingtonNZ:
- Leads and coordinates initiatives across all strategy workstreams
- Engages with regional stakeholders
- Tracks progress and shares impact
- Works with external partners to align efforts and maximise opportunities.
The WEDS PMO is part of WellingtonNZ's Regional Economic Development team and has two team members based in Wairarapa, supported by the wider WellingtonNZ team.
In April 2024, with input from regional stakeholders, the strategic priorities were refined to further focus on areas that matter most and where resources can have the greatest impact. This led to the creation of the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy Work Programme.
The Work Programme focuses on key priorities in the areas not already being progressed, ensuring a more focused and effective regional approach.
WEDS key priorities:
Strategic Leadership:
WEDS Steering Group
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy Work Programme Steering Group oversees the delivery of the Work Programme and provides strategic leadership to the PMO. The role of the Steering Group is to ensure region-wide support and collaboration to deliver on the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy Work Programme.
WEDS Steering Group members include:
- Council officers from Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa District Councils
- Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua Settlement Trust.
- Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust
- Independent industry leaders with expertise in water, workforce and food & fibre; and
- Advisors from Central Government.
Wairarapa in the wider region
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS) and the WEDS Work Programme are drivers of economic development in Wairarapa. The WEDS ensures our rural economy has a voice in regional decisions and that our priorities align with long-term investment across the lower North Island.
They are positioned with other strategies and plans across the wider region with economic impacts.
The WEDS sits across the Wairarapa region, alongside the Wairarapa Water Resilience Strategy and the Wairarapa Destination Management Plan. Other plans provide regional benefits across localities, including council long-term plans and iwi strategic plans.
Wairarapa and the Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP)
At the greater regional level, Te Matarau a Māui, and the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee cover Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua economic development aspirations. The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee is a union of territorial authorities and iwi across the supra-region and is supported by advisors from Central Government.
The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee governs a number of projects, including the Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP) that identifies water resilience, food and fibre, and skills and workforce development as long-term priorities for Wairarapa.
In addition, two other initiatives in Wairarapa have been identified as long-term priorities with regional significance: the Five Towns Trail network, and Dark Skies development. WellingtonNZ acts as the Programme Management Office for the Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan and ensures alignment of workstreams across both plans, and delivers integrated reporting on Wairarapa projects where appropriate.
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Photo by Jack Austin
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