Economic Development Strategy
We’re here to support a thriving, inclusive and sustainable economy for Kāpiti.
This is a strategy for our community and what needs to happen next to elevate economic development in our district – it’s focus is about setting out a direction for business, community and Council to work together to drive positive change, and we’re making no bones about the need for there to be a ‘return on investment’ for the contribution that Council provides to this important element of ensuring Kapiti is a place that people can: live, WORK, and play.
Kāpiti Coast District Council plays a key role in enabling economic development across the district. While we’re not the only player in this space, we help create the conditions for success by:
- Working in partnership with iwi, business, central government, and community groups
- Coordinating delivery of the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan
- Providing local insight, advocacy, and leadership where it’s needed
- Investing in infrastructure, services, and planning that supports economic growth
- Helping build capability and connections across our communities and industries
To support this lift in performance, the leadership model delivers the strategy with the business community and strengthens support to our business ecosystem. The model includes a legal entity able to attract private and public investment into our community, so that businesses thrive, people can work in our district, and the returns from our investment can be reinvested into the community through allocation by the new Economic Development Trust.
Learn more about the new model on our Business Kāpiti website.
The vision: Through partnership, we’ll be supporting the growth of a thriving, vibrant, diverse Kāpiti Coast economy that provides increased opportunity, resilience, and well-being for all.
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Kāpiti has laid strong foundations for growth—establishing industry clusters, supporting businesses, and driving economic development. Investments in major events, sustainability, and workforce planning have strengthened our resilience, while a Destination Management Plan is shaping our identity. In real terms this means that we have supported more money to flow in our local economy – this means more work opportunities for everyday Kapiti residents.
However, challenges remain—housing shortages, workforce gaps, and income inequality—but so do opportunities. We can grow the tech sector, link food, beverage, and tourism, and strengthen iwi and youth engagement.
With Transmission Gully opening new possibilities, we have a plan to tackle these challenges and build a thriving, connected Kāpiti.
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We’re building a resilient, future-focused economy—one that thrives on innovation, sustainability, and strong industry clusters.
Our priorities include growing key sectors, promoting a sustainable economy, and supporting Māori economic rangatiratanga. By attracting smart investment and expanding training and career opportunities, we’ll ensure that Kāpiti’s people and businesses can prosper.
We also want Kāpiti to be known as an inclusive, business-friendly community—a place where startups flourish, regulations are clear, and our visitor economy continues to thrive. The path ahead is clear, and we’re ready to make it happen.
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Kāpiti is building a future that is attractive, sustainable, inclusive, resilient, productive, and innovative.
We’re growing industry clusters and sustainable businesses, creating higher incomes and stronger economic growth. More local training and jobs will ensure that Māori, youth, people with disabilities, and older workers have greater opportunities.
Our vision is a thriving local economy where businesses feel supported, hiring increases, and doing business in Kapiti is easy. Together, we're making it happen – and the people in our community see it too, through opportunities to work locally.
Driving a Thriving Local Economy
Watch how our refreshed Economic Development Strategy sets the course for a productive, innovative, and inclusive Kāpiti Coast.
This video outlines our shared vision, key priorities for the next three years, and how strong partnerships with local businesses and the community will help us build a resilient and future-focused economy.
Get Involved
Economic development in Kāpiti is something we all shape.
This strategy is a living document, and its success depends on shared ownership and ongoing collaboration. Whether you're a business owner, an iwi partner, an entrepreneur, or a community organisation, there are plenty of ways to be part of this work.
- Join the mahi and find opportunities to collaborate.
- Share your ideas, we’re always open to hearing more.
Our priority actions and workstreams
Our district is on a journey to strengthen economic development. This Strategy marks the next stage, supported by a new model to drive the necessary changes. Together, we’ll shape positive outcomes for business and industry through a clear work programme for each focus area. For each area, we’ll partner with business, industry, and the wider economic development ecosystem to deliver three key priority actions.
Focus areas 1
A resilient Kāpiti Coast economy based on productive and innovative clusters that are environmentally sustainable and future focused.
1. Sector and Cluster Development
- Workstreams:
- Kāpiti Tech Cluster
- Food and Beverage cluster maturity
- Tourism Cluster
- Creative industries cluster
- Support Wellbeing collective
2. Promote a Sustainable Economy
- Workstreams:
- Regenerative agriculture
- Sustainable tourism practices
- Local value adding practices
- Support sustainable enterprises
3. Develop Māori Economic Rangatiratanga
- Workstreams:
- Te Ao Māori economic development activity
Measurable shifts: More resilient, productive businesses and economy with strong, industry-led clusters, job creation, wage growth, increased local GDP, and more events in the region. The return to Kapiti residents is that you can work in the district that you live in – be that as a business owner, or employee.
Focus area 2 - Kāpiti Coast residents and communities benefit from local training and career opportunities.
Develop Māori Economic Rangatiratanga
- Workstreams:
- Opportunities for Māori economic development
Smart Investment attraction
- Workstreams:
- Targeted investment attraction strategy
More skills, training and employment opportunities
- Workstreams:
- Education opportunities and skills hubs
- Pathways to education and employment opportunities throughout the district
- Training programmes for local needs
Measurable shifts: More inclusive, innovative networks and economic development system with increased access to local training opportunities, and more people completing
training. The return to Kapiti residents is that you or your whanau can study and train in the district that you live in – be that as a business owner, employee or student leaving College.
Focus area 3 - Kāpiti Coast is an inclusive community and is recognised as a great and easy place to invest and do business.
Support Startups and the wider economic development system
- Workstreams:
- Start-up ecosystem
- Scale-up support for business (wider support ecosystem)
- Connection of the local business networks and associations
Deliver a thriving visitor economy
- Workstreams:
- Fund major tourism and business events
- Visitor Experience opportunities (assist with business development)
- Kāpiti Coast as a tourism destination
Support regulatory requirements and processes which are clear, coordinated and easy to navigate
- Workstreams:
- Business and “investment friendly” engagement is experienced within the regulatory process
- Business and “investment friendly” engagement is experienced within the regulatory process
Measurable shifts: More attractive, sustainable economic environment where businesses understand and navigate Council processes, attracting more businesses to the district. The return to Kapiti residents is that new attract new businesses and investors into the district that you live in so that more money is spent locally, meaning that our economy grows and you have better work opportunities – be that as a business owner, or employee.
How will we know we have made a difference?
Our businesses and broader community need to know that the work we do collectively is making a difference. There will be regular report backs to our Council on how we are progressing and delivering expected returns on the investment made. Read more about our measures and find updates on our Business Kāpiti website.