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We’re thrilled to be hosting the annual Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) conference here in Palmerston North this year, posing some of the big questions that face regional development in a COVID world, featuring an outstanding selection of national and international speakers.

Designed for central and local government, economic development professionals, community organisations and not for profits, attendees to this conference will have the opportunity to engage in discussions that will help to shape their approach to regional development.

The three-day event provides a unique networking opportunity and a menu of engaging topical discussions and breakout sessions including:
• The future of local and regional growth post COVID-19
• Understanding the housing challenge, the Government’s thinking and the role of Kāinga Ora in implementing the plan
• What have we learnt from the challenges of the last year and how can we embed these learnings in new practices?
• What are the pressure points now, and into the future?
• The Provincial Growth Fund – Opportunities, Constraints and Outlook
• COVID-19 and the Māori Economy

Register Here

Speaker Line Up

Some of the speakers and facilitators for this year’s conference include global names, economic leaders and boundary pushers, bringing together an engaging programme of challenging topics, robust discussions and debate!

Hon Stuart Nash
Minister for Tourism, Economic and Regional Development, Forestry and Small Business

Chris Roberts
CEO, Tourism Industry Aotearoa

Neil McInroy
CEO, Centre for Local Economic Strategies, Scotland

Dr Jason Mika
Senior Lecturer, Massey University

Carolyn Tremain
CEO, Minister of Business Innovations and Employment (MBIE)

Linda-Stewart-Circle

Linda Stewart
CEO, Central Economic Development Agency

Dr Fred Olayele
Chief Economist, New York City Economic Development Corporation

David Cunliffe
Partnerm Polis Consulting Group, and former MP and Opposition Leader

Gala Awards Dinner

Don’t miss out on a ticket to the National EDNZ Best Practice Awards, held at the Distinction Palmerston North Hotel on the 27th May. These Awards celebrate the best in economic development, putting a spotlight on recovery initiatives, innovation, integrated planning, inward investment, primary research and best practice across collaboration. It’s a chance to see what regions across Aotearoa are doing, and how, and provides an evening of networking, inspiration and local cuisine.

Register Here

Ō Mātou Kaihāpai | Our Supporters

We’re a well connected team and couldn’t make such great things happen without our supporters.