Where to invest – key regions in NZ requiring investors and business owners

Northland

Northland is northernmost of New Zealand’s administrative regions, occupying the upper 80% of the 285 kilometre-long North Auckland Peninsula, the southernmost part of which is in the Auckland region. The seat of Northland’s Regional Council is Whangarei. There are three territorial authorities in Northland: Far North District Council based in Kaikohe; Whangarei District Council; and Kaipara District Council based in Dargaville. In 2003 the sub-national GDP of the Northland region was estimated at US$3.243 billion, representing 2% of New Zealand’s national GDP.

The most common occupational group in the region is ‘managers’, followed by ‘professionals’ and ‘technicians and trades’.

A total of nearly 150,000 people live in the region, whose population ranks 8th in size out of all New Zealand regions.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most populous region, with nearly 1.5 billion people. It’s also the country’s most prosperous region, in economic terms.

Auckland’s cities and suburbs will soon be merged into one unitary authority dubbed the Super City.

The most common occupational group in Auckland is ‘professionals’, which is also the most common group for the whole of New Zealand. The median income for Aucklanders aged 15 or older is $26,800.

In Auckland, 42.5% of people aged 15 years and over hold a post-school qualification, compared with 39.9% of people throughout New Zealand.

Waikato

The Waikato region is located on New Zealand’s North Island and stretches from Lake Taupo and northern King Country in the South all the way to the Coromandel Peninsula in the north.

Waikato is New Zealand’s fourth largest region, both in size and population numbers. Hamilton is Waikato’s main urban centre, with nearly 160,000 people calling it home.

Waikato is also New Zealand’s fourth largest region in economic terms. It has traditionally depended on agriculture, in particular dairy farming. Business services are Waikato’s second largest sector.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is the fifth most populous of all 16 regions in New Zealand, with nearly 260,000 living there. Horticulture, forestry and tourism and the region’s key industries. A total of 96% of the region is classified as rural, which explains why agriculture and natural resources play such a big part in the Bay of Plenty economy. Nevertheless, the most common occupational group in the region is ‘managers’.

The Bay of Plenty region is subdivided into territorial authorities, which include the Western Bay of Plenty District, Tauranga City, Whakatane District, Kawerau District and Opotiki District, as well as parts of Rotorua District and the town of Rangitaiki in Taupo District.

Gisborne

The Gisborne region lies on the east coast of the North Island, at the northern end of Poverty Bay. Its main urban centre is the homonymous city of Gisborne. Only about 46,000 people live in the region, and almost three quarters of those live in the region’s main city.

Hawke’s Bay

Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Hawke’s Bay region is mostly famous for its award-winning wines. The region is made up of the following: Napier city, Hastings district, Wairoa district, Central Hawke’s Bay district, as well as parts of the Taupo and Rangitikei districts.

The most common occupational group in Hawke’s Bay is ‘labourers’, followed by ‘managers’ and ‘professionals’.

Taranaki

Located on the west coast of the North Island, the Taranaki region is the tenth most populous in New Zealand. Its main city centre, New Plymouth, is home to over 60% of the region’s population of over 104,000 people.

The most common occupational group in the Taranaki region is ‘managers’, followed by ‘labourers’ and ‘professionals’.

Manawatu-Wanganui

This region is dominated by two main river catchments – the Whanganui and the Manawatu. The region takes up a large portion of the lower North Island of New Zealand. About 222,000 people call the Manawatu-Wanganui region home, making it the fifth-largest region in the country, population-wise.

Palmerston North and Wanganui are the two main city centres. Other urban centres in the region include Fielding, Levin, Taumarunui, Foxton and Marton.

Agriculture is the predominant sector in the region, although the manufacturing industry is increasingly important.

Wellington

The region, located in the southern end of the North Island, is home to the country’s capital – Wellington. Nearly 449,000 people live in the Wellington region, making it the third largest in New Zealand.

Wellington is the wealthiest region in New Zealand. The most common occupational group in the region is ‘professionals’, followed by ‘managers’ and ‘clerical and admin workers’.

Tasman

The Tasman region is located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island and is home to a little over 46,000 people. Retail and manufacturing are the region’s key industries. Urban centres in the Tasman region include Richmond, Motueka, Hope, Brightwater, Wakefield, Mapua and Takaka.

Nelson

Nelson region’s main urban centre is the city of Nelson, located at the top of the South Island, close to the centre of the country. Nearly 43,000 people live in the Nelson region (1.1% of the country’s total population). The most common occupational group in Nelson is ‘professionals’, closely followed by ‘labourers’.

Marlborough

The Marlborough region is located in the northeast of the South Island and has the city of Blenheim as its main urban centre. The region is famous for its award-winning wines, particularly the Sauvignon Blanc. A little over 42,500 people call Marlborough home. ‘Labourers’ is the largest occupational group in the region, followed by ‘managers’.

West Coast

The West Coast region is one of the least populated and remote areas in the country. It is made up of three districts – Buller, Grey and Westland – and home to a total of 31,326 people. ‘Managers’ and ‘labourers’ are the two main occupational groups in the region.

Canterbury

The Canterbury region is located on the east coast of the South Island and has Christchurch as its main city. The local economy relies on the primary produce of its surrounds: vegetables, specialist horticultural produce, grains, grapes, meat, dairy, timber, wool and aquaculture. Tourism, software development, manufacturing, electronics and education are also emerging industries in the area. Christchurch’s international airport makes it the international hub to the south island and an important business stop. A deep harbour port, radial road and rail links help make it the main distribution centre in the South Island of New Zealand.

Otago

Located in New Zealand’s South Island, the Otago region is the second largest in the country, with nearly 32,000 square kilometres. Nearly 194,000 people live in the region, which is divided into five territorial authorities: Queenstown-Lakes district, Central Otago district, Clutha district and Waitaki district.

Southland

New Zealand’s southernmost region has Invercargill as its main city centre and is home to over 90,000 people. Southland’s key economic sectors include agriculture, fishing and forestry, as well as coalmining and hydropower. The country’s largest hydroelectric power station is, in fact, located in the region. Tourism also ranks highly in Southland’s economy.