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Supporting economic development

The Kāpiti District Economic Development Strategy 2020–23 was adopted by Council on 30 July 2020. It provides a long-term roadmap for a thriving local economy, and ensures a coordinated and inclusive approach to economic development activity in the Kāpiti Coast District.

Economic development strategy | Governance | Destination Management Plan | Regional economic development plan | Food and beverage | Economic insights | Media releases | Related links |

Economic development strategy

The economic development strategy outlines how we can work together to harness local knowledge, skills and resources while setting goals to help us make the best decisions. It was informed by a drafting group that included representatives from the business community and Council. The draft strategy went out for public consultation and had input from our iwi partners, key stakeholders and the wider public.

The strategy identifies five key focus areas to achieve its Ngā Moemoea/Vision:

  • Whakapapa – positioning the Kāpiti Coast
  • Kaitiakitanga – open for opportunity
  • Whānau – growing skills and capability
  • Kotahitanga – strengthening partnerships and leadership
  • Manaakitanga – supporting key sectors.

Governance

The independent Economic Development Kotahitanga Board provides governance, unifying a strategic direction for economic activity for the district, governed by a Terms of reference[PDF 873 KB].

The Board oversees the implementation and delivery of the Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020–23, and will build momentum and trust with key partners, stakeholders and the wider community.

Economic Development Kotahitanga Board Members:

  • Chris Claridge – Chief Executive of Potatoes NZ
  • Hillmarè Schulze – Chief Economist at BERL (Business and Economic Research Ltd)
  • Kim Tahiwi, Ngāti Raukawa – chartered accountant and Kaiarahi contracted to Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki
  • Neil Mackay - Board Chair
  • Russell Spratt, Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai – principal consultant with Jackson Stone and partners
  • Scott Houston – tech entrepreneur and futurist.
Independent Economic Development Kotahitanga Board

The Independent Economic Development Kotahitanga Board
Left to right: Districtwide Councillor Angela Buswell, Kim Tahiwi (Ngāti Raukawa), Rawiri Faulkner (Ngāti Toa Rangatira) (former member), Hillmare Schulze, Neil MacKay (Chair), Chris Claridge, Scott Houston, and Russell Spratt (Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai).

Economic Development strategy drafting group

The Kāpiti District Economic Development Strategy 2020–23 was informed by a drafting group that included representatives from the business community and Council
Left to right: Darryn Grant (Acting Group Manager Place and Space) Heather Hutchings (past Chair of the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce), Liz Koh (past Chair of Kāpiti Economic Development Agency, KEDA), Jenna-Lee Philpott (Creative Kāpiti), Districtwide Councillor Angela Buswell and Leanna Hill (Acting Economic Development Manager).   

Regional Economic Development Plan

In August 2022, we were part of the group, alongside iwi, business groups, Te Matarau a Māui (Māori Economic Development group), sector groups, place-based groups, and the other nine councils in the Wellington Region, that launched the Regional Economic Development Plan (REDP).

The REDP outlines the strategic direction, issues, and opportunities for regional economic wellbeing. It guides where funding and support should be prioritised to help build a future-focused, creative, sustainable, and thriving region we can all be proud of.

District-specific programmes in the REDP include support for an overarching food and beverage programme and a skills and education hub. These areas are already planned for in our Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020–23, with the REDP providing wider regional support and a tool to encourage central government funding.

You can read the full Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan on the WellingtonNZ website.

Destination Management Plan

The Destination Management Plan provides a long-term strategic framework to strengthen the Kāpiti visitor economy through sustainable development and visits. It brings the key elements of the industry together to guide tourism development, marketing and industry involvement, and improve visitor experience and infrastructure. The ultimate goal of the plan is to increase the value of the Kāpiti visitor economy.

The Economic Development Kotahitanga Board is responsible for implementing the plan, which was adopted by Council in September 2021. This includes pulling together a panel of stakeholders to work on this. Follow our news and information channels for updates.

Kāpiti Coast Tourism Advisory Board

The independent Economic Development Kotahitanga Board established the Kāpiti Coast Tourism Advisory Board to lead the implementation of tourism projects highlighted in the district’s Destination Management Plan. The Tourism Advisory Board will work with key partners including the Kāpiti Coast District Council, iwi and WellingtonNZ to ensure effective implementation.

The Tourism Advisory Board includes tourism professionals, operators and business leaders. It will create important partnerships with tourism stakeholders and work closely with Kāpiti businesses to make sure they’re included in the implementation of this plan.

Tourism Advisory Board members

  • George Hickton (Chair), Former CEO of Tourism NZ
  • Chris Barber, Director at Koakoa
  • John Barrett, Chairperson at Raukawa Whanau Ora Ltd.
  • Libby Hakaraia, Managing Director at Māoriland Charitable Trust
  • Scott Houston, Hi-tech entrepreneur and futurist
  • Patricia Stuart, Chairperson at Ngā Manu Trust.

Funding

Funding and resource for implementing the plan will come from a number of sources, including Council's existing economic development budget and WellingtonNZ. There may be opportunities to make specific funding requests to Tourism NZ as well.

Food and beverage

Kāpiti has a naturally collaborative food and beverage sector with a strong unique selling point and significant economic growth opportunities, and this was also identified in the Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan and the Regional Economic Development Plan. Council and the Economic Development Kotahitanga Board in 2022 commissioned a report looking at this sector.

The Food and Beverage Cluster Report outlines the need to resource the sector to support connectivity and collaborative outcomes, and that a network cluster group and precinct groups could elevate existing relationships to improve communication and productivity to further strengthen the sector.

This report is part of a wider strategy that spans workstreams to enable growth and opportunities, and respond to challenges, within our local sector.

Economic insights

Data on Kāpiti's economic measures guide and inform the Kāpiti District Economic Development Strategy. These are provided to Council every quarter from Infometrics.