Growth Study accelerates with appointment of Programme Directors

The accelerator is down and the lights are green for the Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Growth Study Action Plan, with the appointment of HenleyHutchings and Spearhead as the Programme Directors.

“Having worked alongside NZIER to compile the Manawatū-Whanganui Growth Study, the catalyst for this programme, the HenleyHutchings team are delighted to have the opportunity to work with local organisation Spearhead to see the study through to fruition,” says Geoff Henley of HenleyHutchings.

“As co-authors of the Study, we are intimately familiar with its content, and we already know many of the people who are keen to get on board with the future development of the region,” he says.

HenleyHutchings’ partner organisation, Spearhead, is a nationally and internationally-connected organisation based in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

“As programme directors, we are keen to develop the region’s numerous growth opportunities by connecting our people, businesses, Iwi and our environment,” says Craig Nash, Director of Spearhead.

As a way to identify the programme’s activities, the projects will progress under the programme banner: Accelerate25.

HenleyHutchings and Spearhead were appointed by the programme’s Lead Team; a governance group made up of central government, Iwi, local government and business representatives. Facilitator of this Lead Team, Michael McCartney, says the new brand embodies the active nature of the programme.

“Acclerate25 is about increasing investment, innovation and employment in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. The programme will consider both quick wins and long-term strategies to achieve these objectives and it’s vital that we work collectively around this,” Mr McCartney says.

“The next step is the appointment of project teams for each of the eight opportunities. Programme Directors are carefully identifying a cross-section of people with skin in the game and a keen appetite to gain traction across each of the projects. These teams will be in place by Christmas, mandated to progress opportunities and ready to hit the ground running,” he says.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, and Maori Development Minister and Associate Minister for Economic Development Te Ururoa Flavell, have all expressed a keen interest in Accelerate25’s progress and intend to return for the launch of an Action Plan in 2016.

“We are passionate about the growth of the region and the programme’s aim to accelerate regional opportunities for a stronger and more prosperous Manawatū-Whanganui by 2025: for our people, for our mokopuna, and for New Zealand,” says Mr McCartney.

ENDS

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