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 refresh

Council adopted the Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020-23 in July 2020. The economic development strategy outlines how we will, through partnership, support the growth of a thriving, vibrant, diverse Kāpiti Coast economy that provides increased opportunity, resilience, and well-being for all.

Significant progress has been made in the delivery of actions in the strategy, with impact measures showing that growth in the local economy has generally outperformed NZ and Wellington Region. There are however significant pressures in the economy currently and it is therefore important that continued support is available to Kāpiti businesses to ensure potential long-term impacts are minimised.

For this refreshed strategy, the Economic Development Kotahitanga Board reviewed progress in economic development in Kāpiti, in consultation with the business community, partners and key stakeholders, starting in 2023. This work included a review of progress against the current Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020-23.

Consultation and next steps

The Direction of Travel document went out for public consultation between 14 February to 3 April 2024.

Since consultation on the Direction of Travel, a draft strategy has been developed, informed by feedback received through consultation. Council endorsed the draft strategy on 5 December 2024 and requested that a final round of engagement occur before it is finalised in April 2025.

Consultation will be held between January and March 2025.

You can find information about the previous consultation on the direction of travel for this strategy and view the draft strategy and supporting documents presented to Council on 5 December 2024.

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]. Find out more about the independent Economic Development Kotahitanga Board.

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.

• March 2021 [PDF 175 KB]
• September 2020 [PDF 257 KB]