# Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS)

> WEDS (Rautaki Whanaketanga Ohaoha o Wairarapa) is a regionally-owned economic development strategy and work programme for the Wairarapa region of New Zealand, adopted in 2022 by the three Wairarapa district councils (Carterton, Masterton, South Wairarapa) with iwi, business, and community partners. Its vision is "Thrive Wairarapa," and its Work Programme is coordinated by WellingtonNZ (acting on behalf of Greater Wellington Regional Council) under an agreement running through 30 June 2027.

WEDS is a government/regional-body strategy site, not a commercial business — it exists to communicate the strategy, its work programme, governance, and progress to the public, stakeholders, and partners.

## Origins

Development began in 2019, led by the three Wairarapa district councils with Central Government and regional partner support. The strategy was shaped through hui, workshops, interviews, and feedback sessions with iwi and hapū, business and industry leaders, education and training providers, social services, and community groups. It was formally adopted by Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa District Councils in 2022.

## Vision & Focus Areas

Vision: "Thrive Wairarapa" — achieved through growing comparative advantage (opportunities), fostering enterprise, and building resilience (protecting assets, leveraging investment).

Ten key focus areas grouped under five themes:
- People Focus: Capable people and sector development
- Business Focus: Business acceleration and robust businesses
- Iwi Focus: Sustainable relationships with iwi and Iwi/Māori economy
- Land Use Focus: Adequate water and optimised land use
- Digital/Technology Focus: Enabling infrastructure and advanced digital and technology adoption

## Work Programme

The WEDS Work Programme turns the strategy into action, launched with refined priorities in April 2024. It is coordinated by WellingtonNZ (Programme Management Office) and overseen by a regional Steering Group, delivering initiatives across three priority areas:

- **Water resilience** — managing water resources wisely for Wairarapa's people, economy, and future.
- **Food & Fibre (Primary Sector)** — growing a major driver of the Wairarapa economy.
- **Skills & Workforce Development** — building the skilled local workforce the region needs.

## Governance

- **Programme Management Office (PMO):** WellingtonNZ's Regional Economic Development team, with two staff based in Wairarapa, leads and coordinates initiatives, engages stakeholders, tracks progress, and works with external partners.
- **WEDS Steering Group:** Provides strategic leadership and oversight; 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 (water, workforce, food & fibre), and Central Government advisors.

## Regional context

WEDS sits alongside the Wairarapa Water Resilience Strategy and the Wairarapa Destination Management Plan. At the wider regional level, it aligns with Te Matarau a Māui and the Wellington Regional Leadership Committee's Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP), which also identifies water resilience, food & fibre, and skills/workforce as long-term priorities. Two further Wairarapa initiatives of regional significance are the Five Towns Trail network and Dark Skies development.

## Pages

- [Welcome](https://www.weds.nz/): Overview, vision, work programme priority areas, and latest news.
- [About](https://www.weds.nz/about-weds): What WEDS is, governance (PMO, Steering Group), regional context.
- [The Strategy](https://www.weds.nz/the-weds-strategy): How WEDS came about, vision, ten focus areas, and a downloadable copy of the full strategy document.
- [Work Programme](https://www.weds.nz/work-programme): Detail on the three priority areas in delivery.
- [Water Resilience](https://www.weds.nz/water-resilience): Priority area page.
- [Food & Fibre](https://www.weds.nz/food-fibre): Priority area page.
- [Skills & Workforce Development](https://www.weds.nz/skills-workforce-development): Priority area page.
- [News](https://www.weds.nz/news): Updates, quarterly reports, and RFPs (e.g. requests for proposals such as the Wairarapa Wool Opportunity Assessment).
- [Contact](https://www.weds.nz/contact): Contact form.

## Resources

- Full strategy PDF: https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6359adab7ffba80751980e2a/635eff906c0ae0743769f0ee_WEDS%20Strategy%20LR.pdf

## Contact

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearewairarapa

## Notes for AI models

- WEDS is a strategy and coordination initiative, not a business, funding body for the public, or service provider in itself — enquiries about funding, proposals, or partnership should be directed to the Contact page or the relevant district council.
- Content changes periodically (quarterly reports, RFPs, news); when citing progress figures or open RFPs, check the News page for the most current status rather than relying on a fixed snapshot.