It was our first year taking Manawatū to the Wellington Careers Expo to showcase our region's lifestyle and career opportunities. 

Jordyn, Julia, and Ashley from CEDA, and Benji from ManawaTech and The Factory, joined forces with The Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) laboratory at Massey University, to showcase our region’s key sectors and career pathways.

Benji Pritchard, Executive Officer at ManawaTech says, "It was inspiring to chat with rangatahi (young people) who were passionate about a career in tech. It was a great opportunity for us to create awareness of the thriving tech scene in Manawatū and the potential future opportunities for talent interested in relocating to the region.” 

"We spoke with many parents, whānau, career changers, tertiary students, and job seekers, all captivated by what Manawatū had to offer. There was high interest in healthcare, science, tech careers and study options. Overall, attendees were pleasantly surprised by the diverse career opportunities on offer in the region, and genuinely interested in the affordability of our Manawatū lifestyle,” adds Jordyn Blackett, Marketing Senior from CEDA.  

The day saw over 3,000 attendees, 31 schools, and 45 exhibitors enter the door of the Expo. The Manawatū stand garnered significant interest with 563 visits to our digital Expo page via the QR code on the day, and 157 competition entries. 

A representative from Massey Feast Lab adds, "Representing Manawatū alongside CEDA was a pleasure. Feast's fun and interactive exhibit engaged many students in the exciting possibilities of Food Technology at Massey University. Thanks to CEDA for their support - we look forward to future collaborations!” 

New Zealand Careers Expo Manawatū Recap 

In May, the New Zealand Careers Expo returned to Palmerston North for the third year in a row. It was a day packed with networking, inspiration, and career exploration.   

With over 3,330 attendees, representing 25 schools and 43 exhibitors, the event remains a vital platform for rangatahi and jobseekers to connect with businesses and plan their career paths. 

To make the day more accessible, CEDA sponsored buses which transported rangatahi to the Expo, which was held at the Central Energy Trust Arena.