The Strategy
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy is a regionally owned plan to grow a resilient, future-focused economy that reflects who we are and what makes Wairarapa THRIVE.
Read or download the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy.
WEDS StrategyThe Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy is a regionally-owned plan to grow a resilient, future-focused economy that reflects who we are and what makes Wairarapa THRIVE.
Read or download the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy
From Vision to Strategy:
How WEDS came about
In 2019, the three Wairarapa district councils - Carterton, Masterton and South Wairarapa - initiated the development of the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS) with support from Central Government and regional partners.
To shape a strategy that truly reflects Wairarapa’s identity, a series of hui, workshops, interviews, and feedback sessions were held with:
- Iwi and hapū
- Business and industry leaders
- Education and training providers
- Social services
- Community groups and residents.
This process helped identify our region’s unique strengths, key challenges, and future opportunities, which were all grounded in local knowledge, lived experience, and economic evidence.
The result is a strategy that is guided by local values and aspirations, with a clear focus on the areas that matter most to our communities and economy - across both rural and urban areas.
The Strategy was formally adopted by Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa District Councils in 2022.
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'Thrive Wairarapa'
WEDS Vision
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy vision is 'Thrive Wairarapa' - a thriving community alive with opportunity. The vision will be achieved through:
- growing comparative advantage (opportunities)
- fostering enterprise that underpins the future economy
- building resilience (enablers), by protecting our existing assets and leveraging partner opportunities for investment.
The WEDS focuses on what matters for Wairarapa, recognising our strengths and challenges, and builds and leverages the work that has come before. It focuses on the uniqueness of the Wairarapa region, and our key priorities and opportunities. It is practical and deliverable.
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supporting long-term success
WEDS Focus Areas
The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy identifies 10 key focus areas that are either opportunities to grow or enablers that support long-term success. These are grouped under five themes that reflect the foundations of a thriving regional economy:
- 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
WEDS Work Programme
The WEDS Work Programme was established to turn this strategy into real-world outcomes. Coordinated by WellingtonNZ and overseen by a regional Steering Group, the Work Programme delivers collaborative, on-the-ground initiatives that respond directly to Wairarapa’s most pressing opportunities and challenges.
The WEDS Work Programme brings together councils, iwi, businesses, and communities to drive progress across three priority areas to ensure the WEDS is not just a vision, but a living plan in action:
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