CEDA is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members, David Norman and Paul Bayly to the team. Norman and Bayly join CEDA alongside recently appointed CEO Jerry Shearman…
CEDA has a team of Business Growth Advisors supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors across the Manawatū – Whanganui region through the Regional Business Partner (RBP) programme For all…
Are you seeking a way to support local businesses? CEDA partners with Business Mentors New Zealand to connect business owners and entrepreneurs with those who can provide one-on-one advice to help them…
In partnership with the Manawatū Business Chamber, CEDA have launched ‘Get Local,’ a multi-media campaign to support local businesses across the region. This call-to-action focused campaign has been thoughtfully designed…
Central Demolition is a successful Manawatū based demolition company founded in 2002 by Ian Butcher. Priding itself on being at the forefront of both the commercial and residential demolition industry,…
Great news! The borders are opening. So what does that mean for businesses? The Government has confirmed the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will be introduced on 4 July 2022.…
Kia ora tātou, We’ve recently completed our half yearly performance report outlining the work to date across our key pillars of economic development, People, Place and Business in partnership with…
Manawatū’s economy remains active, performing well compared to the rest of New Zealand. Data from Infometrics indicates a busy regional economy due to many factors, with highlights including low unemployment…
CEDA is excited to partner with New Zealand’s Tech and Innovation Story, 'We See Tomorrow First'. This exciting marketing initiative is a collaboration with industry leaders and other Economic Development…
It’s no news that as a country we face many challenges when it comes to attracting talent. Our region's significant growth trajectory and economic resilience means that we have a…
At the end of 2021, we reached out to our business community with a short survey to better understand their talent and skills needs to ensure we are effectively planning…
Kia ora koutou, We are now in Phase Three of the red traffic light system, and we are seeing thousands of cases per day. As case numbers grow, both testing and isolation approaches have changed. For…
The Digital Champion Programme aims to increase the digital footprint of Manawatū tourism, hospitality and retail businesses. With support from Miles Partnership, a leading tourism strategic marketing company, CEDA have…
Tēnā koutou, Aotearoa is now in Phase Two of the Omicron response plan, and to ensure businesses in our region are best prepared we’ve distilled and linked key information and…
CEDA partners with Business Mentors New Zealand to connect business owners and entrepreneurs with those who can provide one-on-one advice to help them to start, grow or solve business challenges and share their…
As we enter the long weekend we urge everyone to remember to spend locally as Manawatū businesses navigate the recent Red Traffic Light settings and impending Omicron outbreak. Not only…
Kia ora koutou, As we quickly come to terms with the new variant Omicron, and its presence in our country and community, we urge businesses to ensure they are informed…
Kia ora koutou, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CEDA Board and staff for the warm welcome to the role thus far. I was humbled to…
Collective talent and attraction marketing campaign in place to help combat regional skills shortage. CEDA is excited to announce the launch of a significant national marketing campaign to attract talent…
Resilience remains the key theme for Manawatū with the economic forecast looking positive if current trends are anything to go by. Highlights for this quarter include high commodity prices for…
CEDA is excited to announce the launch of a significant national marketing campaign to attract talent to the infrastructure and construction sector, highlighting job opportunities in Manawatū to help combat…
Gillard Honey are proud to be 100% family owned and operated specialising in export quality 100% natural, raw Kiwi honey, “just as nature intended”. There’s no doubt that Nathan &…
CEDA is excited to announce Johanna Wood and Alison Quigan will be joining as new members of Te Aho Tāmaka in the new year. Te Aho Tāmaka Manawatū Leaders programme…
The latest survey into the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses showed that one of the top two areas of support required is marketing with many not having social media or…
CEDA are thrilled to partner with New Zealand Careers Expo to bring a refreshed and revitalised Careers Expo to Manawatū, scheduled for 17 June 2022. In response to the ever-increasing…
The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Jerry Shearman as the new Chief Executive. CEDA board chair Malcolm Bailey says that Jerry brings…
English Language Partners (ELP) is New Zealand’s largest English language provider with 22 centres nationwide. Their vision is to ensure that former refugees and migrants participate successfully in all aspects…
Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) has received $1 million dollars of government funding to support the recovery and reset of regional tourism in Manawatū. This new round, announced by Minister…
This update provides a snapshot of Māori business activity in the Manawatū Whanganui region, prepared by Te Au Rangahau—Massey Business School’s Māori business research centre, Palmerston North City Council (PNCC)…
The economic performance of the Manawatū region in the year to June 2021 was extremely positive, with GDP growing by 5.4% over the year. Earlier this month, however, the economy…
Alert Level Four will mean different things to different businesses and sectors, with many of you already having plans in place for this scenario. We’ve collated some of the key…
The Government’s Regional Events Fund (REF) has supported two major events in the Manawatū region as part of the Government’s Tourism Recovery Package. The fund was made available to Regional…
Economic development agencies CEDA and Whanganui and Partners alongside respective Council’s Palmerston North City Council, Manawatū District Council along with regional economic development programme Accelerate25 celebrate Manawatū-Wanganui receiving a five-star…
Future proofing through diversification Photographer Rachael started her business, Rahera Photography in Palmerston North in 2011. The business idled along paying for itself as she raised her family and completed a Master of Fine Arts. But in 2020 a change in personal circumstances meant Rachael needed the business to start bringing in a…
Starting a business in Palmerston North was never on Haylee Benton’s radar when she returned home to Palmerston North from the United Kingdom. As for many kiwis living abroad, coming…
Starting a business comes with many challenges and is no easy feat. But as three young entrepreneurs from Palmerston North discovered, when you have a supportive network around you, who…
Renee Murphy is a content writer based in Palmerston North. She writes for clients in Manawatū and across New Zealand and shares her business start-up journey below. If you’d told…
CEDA sponsors Technology Investment Network (TIN) Agritech Insights report to showcase Manawatū's role as Aotearoa's leading agri hub Given Manawatū's ambitious vision to be one of the top three agrifood…
Palmerston North City Council and the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) are excited to announce that Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) will be establishing their New Zealand headquarters in Palmerston North…
Talent Central - Te Akakōare is focused on bringing Manawatū’s talent together for the benefit of our region. They play a pivotal role in the development of people by creating…
New Zealand’s economy continues to go from strength to strength with strong global demand for our exports, construction, healthcare, and public administration and safety the major contributors to the strength…
The Central Skills Hub acts as a regional connector between infrastructure projects and a prepared, trained workforce, building relationships with key regional project providers to support the demand of their…
New Zealand’s economy continues to go from strength to strength with strong global demand for our exports, construction, healthcare, and public administration and safety being major contributors. Infometrics revealed Gross…
Palmerston North and Manawatū highlighted as a popular destination to visit in Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s recent Domestic Visitor Satisfaction survey results CEDA’s ongoing stream of marketing and PR activity over…
Five things your business can do right now to stay on top of communicating to your customers online With the addition of the trans-Tasman travel bubble, it is more important than…
The National Driver Training Centre (NDTC) endeavours to build the capabilities of business and people through its driving courses. They have courses in a range of driving classes from a Class 1 car drivers licence through to heavy vehicle training…
COVI Motorhome, Caravan & Outdoor SuperShow The motorhome market is a key domestic market for Manawatū with 21% of our visitors looking to stay at a campsite according to DGIT.…
The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) today signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Talent Central, Central Skills Hub and Manfeild Park Trust’s National Driver Training Centre to encourage collaboration between…
The last year has had many challenges, but our city and region has continued to grow at unparalleled speed, with our diverse economy and resilient community spirit pushing us through…
Finistere Ventures, a pioneering investor in agrifood technology companies, has just announced the launch of a $40 million-dollar Finistere Aotearoa Fund in partnership with NZ Growth Capital Partners (NZGCP). Manawatū…
One of the headline events for New Zealand AgriFood Week 2021 is AgResearch: Our Food Our Future, which will bring together producers and innovators, agribusiness professionals, scientists and industry thought…
How has COVID-19 changed New Zealand's $5 billion International Education (IE) sector and how can the industry recover? Contributing more than $115 million to our region annually, and supporting over…
From 1 April 2021, the minimum wage will rise to $20 - up from $18.90, with the increase tipped to lift the incomes of around 200,000 employees nationally. The training…
Housing in the Manawatū Region The property market in New Zealand is struggling under the pressure of increased demand for houses. In recent months, the New Zealand house price growth…
New Zealand’s economic activity continues to follow a more optimistic route in the December quarter, and remains resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aotearoa has been fortunate to…
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…
Yesterday morning saw another move to Alert Level 3 for Auckland, and into Alert Level 2 for the rest of Aotearoa for the next week. While this brings about many…
CEDA is excited to announce that New Zealand AgriFood Week is back for 2021! Sitting at the intersection of agriculture, science, food and technology, the Week is a unique coming…
Three powerful Manawatū women leaders will join forces at UCOL Manawatū on International Women’s Day, 8 March, to kōrero on what an equal future looks like - the United Nations’…
Following the recent move to Alert Level 2, CEDA would like to remind businesses that there is help available for businesses, in particular the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment and COVID-19…
$47.7 million made available as part of Government’s Tourism Recovery Package to support regional events As part of the Government’s Tourism Recovery Package, the $47.75 million Regional Events Fund (REF) was made available…
“Papaioea Festival of the Arts will firmly establish Manawatū as a centre for artistic excellence and a place where cultural experiences are of exceptional quality. It will also positively contribute…
Although the national economy is still functioning below pre-pandemic levels and the road ahead remains uncertain, the economic activity in the September 2020 quarter was stronger than anyone had anticipated.…
Although the national economy is still functioning below pre-pandemic levels and the pathway ahead remains uncertain, the economic activity in the September 2020 quarter was stronger than anyone had anticipated.…
Twenty-seven students from five Manawatū schools graduated as global citizens after completing the Global Competence Certificate. This online programme connects students from around the world to develop life-long skills, while…
This year, the Westpac Choose Manawatū Business Awards celebrated resilience and innovation throughout the region, with 10 awards handed out last Friday evening. Linda Stewart, CEO of the Central…
To ensure CEDA's work as the Regional Tourism Organisation for Palmerston North city and Manawatū is effective in creating positive sentiment for the destination, we commissioned leading global destination marketing…
The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) launched the Manawatū Agritech Strategy in late 2019. Developed in partnership with global agritech accelerator Sprout, industry leaders, iwi, businesses, investors and entrepreneurs. “It…
Volunteers are essential to so many facets of daily life in New Zealand and right now we need more. Right across our community, volunteers make a hugely positive contribution to society giving their…
This week I joined industry leaders in Wellington for the Tourism Summit Aotearoa 2020. A highlight on the events calendar for the sector, with not only Minister Stuart Nash delivering…
CEDA has launched a new ‘How Manawatū Are You’ Spring-Summer visitor campaign which has Kiwis across the country discovering there is much more to Manawatū than meets the eye. The…
Earlier this week, we announced the Finalists for the Westpac Choose Manawatū Business Awards, after a record number of entries were received across the seven reinvigorated categories for 2020. The Awards,…
CEDA have partnered with Miles Partnership, a strategic marketing company focused exclusively on destinations, to boost Palmerston North and Manawatū's digital footprint and directly support our business community with increasing…
The latest business survey tracking the impact of COVID-19 by the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) has found that the effects of COVID-19 are still substantial on our business community.…
Rugby legend David Kirk has been welcomed into Te Aho Tāmaka at an official ceremony at the Rugby and Sport Institute on Friday evening. Kirk, who famously led the All…
CEDA are providing a free workshop to help businesses make the most of the free online marketing tools, Google My Business and Google Maps. CEDA recently released the results and…
Access Business Support Funding Whether your business is responding to the impacts of COVID-19, looking for guidance as you move into recovery mode, or focused on building capability and growth, there are three…
Has your business gone above and beyond this year? Have you changed the way you operate, redeployed your people, developed a creative marketing campaign? We want to hear from you. The…
CEDA recently partnered with MyMahi to develop and grow connections between local business and youth. This partnership provides local businesses and industries the opportunity to highlight employment opportunities and future…
Four of Manawatū’s highest achievers will be guiding kōrero at an upcoming celebration of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-hosted by Palmerston North City Council (PNCC), Massey…
Rate of Economic Growth - Palmerston North city and Manawatū district “The Palmerston North city and Manawatū district economies are performing almost twice as well as the national economy, thanks…
The release of ASB’s Quarterly Regional Economic Scorecard this week confirmed Manawatū-Whanganui has managed to weather most of the economic storm, coming out in first place across New Zealand, up…
Every business knows that growth is important. Finding skilled staff, providing them with the right training for the job, and moving the right people up the ranks is a key…
CEDA’s CEO Linda Stewart, on the need for a systematic change to Aotearoa’s tourism economy. It’s no secret that I have long believed there is an urgent need for Aotearoa’s…
Foodies are in for a tasty treat this month with the launch of Paddock to Plate NZ celebrating the best of local food. "Paddock to Plate 2020 provides a month…
The ManawatuNZ Visual Library launched recently, providing a free resource of quality, engaging imagery and videos to help businesses and locals showcase all that Palmerston North city and Manawatū offers.…
Manawatū is set to become a big part of the green hydrogen economy with Hiringa Energy selecting the region for a green hydrogen fuelling facility; one of the very first…
Infometrics latest Quarterly Economic Monitor shows that regional economies such as Manawatū and Palmerston North are performing almost twice as well as the national economy. “While the regions have been…
Things to consider for your business Following the Government announcement on Tuesday 11 August, New Zealand will move into Alert Level 2 at 12 noon on Wednesday 12 August. The…
As part of our work to build the profile and narrative of our region, CEDA commissioned a video to build pride in Manawatū following the COVID-19 lockdown. The video was…
Generating great ideas is part of the New Zealand and Manawatū DNA, with the Glaxo in pharmaceuticals giant, GlaxoSmithKline, starting in Bunnythorpe. The challenge has been to match the great…
Does your business need support? Additional business support funding announced by Government provides lifeline to COVID-19 impacted businesses across Manawatū-Whanganui. CEDA is pleased with last week's announcement by Government on…
Picture of pre-COVID-19 business sentiment signifies confidence in economic growth across the board and provides a crucial baseline for CEDA and the region to work from as we move through…
Tēnā koutou, I’m buoyed by the recent Government announcement on the apprenticeship initiatives and what that means for our region's growth trajectory and current skills gaps. The investment into training,…
Yesterday’s announcement of the preferred site for the KiwiRail Regional Freight Hub reinforces Manawatū’s strength and position to overcome the choppy economic outlook brought on by COVID-19. Regional Economic Development…
The government is to get independent Manawatū-Whanganui advice from a Regional Skills Leadership Group being formed to advise it on the reemployment, redeployment and retraining of workers and business owners…
The outlook for economic growth in Manawatū is strong The Manawatū region is experiencing strong economic growth and the outlook for the next fifteen years is particularly strong. A major…
The National Economy The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts across the national economy towards the end of the March quarter. The June quarter will more accurately reflect the anticipated impacts such as slowing population growth, softening employment growth…
We're thrilled to introduce and welcome Sara Towers to Manawatū, as she joins us in the Talent and Skills Manager role here at CEDA. Sara, tell us about your career…
The Sort It Careers Expo is back for it's seventh year in a whole new format, with 2020s event being entirely run online between Monday, 25 May and Friday, 19…