There's a huge amount of opportunity on our doorstep right now to work with central government in an enduring partnership to unlock opportunities for the benefit of NZ Inc. And that's exactly what we talked about at last week's Regional Growth Summit.

The Summit was nothing short of inspirational and I'm so pleased we could showcase just how much the might Waikato has to offer New Zealand Inc.

The Honourable Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Development, the Honourable Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development, and the Honourable Mark Patterson, Associate Minister for Regional Development, and the audience of iwi chairs, mayor, MPs, community and industry leaders heard about some fascinating mahi already underway here. And some initiatives that could well bear fruit for our region for decades to come.

We made it very clear that we’re here to work with central government in an enduring partnership to unlock opportunities for the benefit of all New Zealand.

Because what is the mighty Waikato?

🌲 Well, we’re a powerhouse for primary industries, including pastoral agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, as well as enjoying scale and breadth in manufacturing, technology and services.

⛏ We’re a significant mineral-producing area, contributing about a quarter of New Zealand’s mining GDP.

🦺 We're a critical producer of aggregates, supplying a large proportion of material that supports economic growth in the Waikato and Auckland.

💦 We generate 37% of NZ’s electricity capacity – more than any other region. At times of low hydro storage, this generation capacity has been able to meet more than half of the nation’s electricity needs.

🚛 Our location at the heart of the ‘golden triangle’ provides a competitive advantage for freight and logistics, reducing the friction on our exporters.

🏔 We're home to award-winning visitor destinations such as Hobbiton, the Waitomo Caves, Hamilton Gardens, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, and more.

🤝 And we are a region that works well together. Iwi, local councils, business, and Māori business leaders have long recognised the potential to drive regional economic growth through collaboration and a focus on sustainability, social responsibility and wellbeing.

But what is our next chapter?

💨 One of the gamechangers happens to be one of my favourite topics – renewable energy. If it’s done well, it has the potential to be a trifecta: driving innovation and jobs, putting us on a path toward better energy security and, most importantly, diversifying our energy portfolio in harmony with the natural environment.

Imagine the possibilities this region provides, not just for us but NZ as a whole. Many in the room on Friday have already imagined it and are doing it.

☀️ Mike Fox from The Lines Company and Samuel Mikaere from Te Nehenehui - their solar project being trialled at two Maniapoto marae with funding from MBIE Science and Innovation is a fantastic example. It provides financial and wellbeing benefits for the marae community, gives back to the wider community, and provides infrastructure that iwi can develop over the long term. It’s micro implementation but could easily be scaled up.

🚉 Transport-related infrastructure is key to enabling jobs and increasing productivity. The North Island and East Coast Main Trunk Lines are the strategic rail freight corridors in the region, with the Hamilton to Auckland rail corridor enabling inter-regional passenger rail services. But what possibilities would open up if the rail network from Whangarei through to Tauranga was electrified, connecting four ports, reducing costs and increasing choice for exporters?

🛫 And while we’re thinking about transport – how could NZ benefit from Hamilton Airport NZ growing, enabling international trade and business?

🏡 We’re one of the fastest growing regions and our population will continue to grow. Managing demand for housing and business land, and planning for infrastructure such as roads, public transport, water, recreational facilities, hospitals and schools must happen.

✨This is the opportunity before us. With courageous vision, collaborative spirit, shared belief and sheer commitment, I'm confident we can realise our powerful potential.