South Wairarapa District Council’s Economic Growth Committee has agreed to explore options for a potential new agency to support economic growth and attract investment across the wider Wairarapa region.

The Committee, which met on Thursday 7 May, was established last year to drive sustainable economic growth, support local businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents in South Wairarapa.

Last month, the Mayors, Deputy Mayors, and Chief Executives of the three Wairarapa councils agreed to begin preliminary work to investigate options for a Wairarapa Economic Development Agency (EDA).

At this week’s meeting, the Committee endorsed an approach to producing options for a Wairarapa EDA – to allow options to be considered as part of the Long-Term Plan 2027-37.

An external facilitator would be engaged to work with key organisations including Destination Wairarapa, Business Wairarapa, WellingtonNZ, and the Wairarapa Dark Skies Association.

Research would be conducted into how other successful economic development and tourism models operate, and how a Wairarapa agency may be funded. This work would inform a framework for the three Wairarapa councils by September 2026.

The framework would enable further discussion between the councils on a joint approach to next steps, with the potential of having the Wairarapa EDA proposal considered in Long-Term Plans.

The Committee supported engaging a facilitator to produce the framework as a basis for future joint decisions. They noted the three Chief Executives would be responsible for producing options for further evaluation and discussion, in time to be considered prior to LTP consultations kicking off.

Following the Committee meeting, Chair Councillor Chris Archer said the focus would be on creating a regional platform to boost economic growth and opportunities for our Wairarapa communities. 

“The current infrastructure for economic development is too complex while lacking targeted regional focus. We believe there is a better way to help Wairarapa grow to its true potential.  This process is the first step in teasing out the way forward to a better future.”   

Quarterly reports, including achievements and financial information, from both Destination Wairarapa and Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy (WEDS) were also presented to the Committee.

Destination Wairarapa’s role is to attract more visitors to the region, who stay longer and spend more, and grow Wairarapa’s tourism revenue. Destination Wairarapa receives financial support from the three Wairarapa district councils, Trust House Foundation and the Wairarapa tourism businesses who are members of their incorporated society.

The WEDS programme, delivered by WellingtonNZ, is an agreement to align effort and resources to grow economic advantage for Wairarapa. The WEDS function is enacted by an MOU. For the 2024-2027 period, the WEDS MOU focuses on water resilience, workforce development and support for the primary (Food & Fibre) sector.

All of our Council and Committee meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and are open to the public.

See the full meeting agenda: https://swdc.govt.nz/meeting/economic-growth-committee-7-may-2026/

Watch the meeting recording on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv3VbaO-xro