Vision Manawatu works in key areas to foster and promote economic development

Develop a regional labour strategy
Along with the rest of NZ, Manawatu has a shortage of skilled workers, which is preventing growth in certain sectors. We are putting initiatives in place to address these issues


Visioning
The 'big picture' is vital is we are to work towards a region we can be proud of in 30 years time. A 'visioning process' is underway in consultation with the private sector. The outcome of this process will be fed into the LTCCP's of the Councils in the region


Business Retention and Expansion
This involves a one-to-one consultation process with businesses to identify their needs and concerns. Data will be pooled and used for decision making.


Informed commentary
Vision Manawatu has undertaken to initiate economic research and report on aspects of the economy. Recently, for example, we published a report on the economic impact of tertiary education on the region


Education and graduate retention
We have started several projects aimed at understanding the flows of tertiary students from study to work and what interventions can be made to keep students working in the region


Business Services
This includes: a business mentors service, enterprise training and acceleration programmes, the Young Enterprise Scheme, the Manawatu Defence Cluster, central government grants, Trades Mentor scheme, the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce, Student city marketing.


Connection with the wider region
Central Government in 2006 indicated it wanted to enter into funding transactions with a reduced number EDAs. To meet this requirement a governance group has been set up to represent EDAs in the Horizons region.

For more information, click here to visit the Vision Manawatu website