Fortnight in review: 22 April - 3 May

Programme Management Team -Regional Engagement Activities

*Meeting with business leaders to discuss potential for a Food Hub, Food Tech Accelerator and general purpose Business Incubator to strengthen the Wairarapa as a centre of excellence for niche, high value food products from NZ and establish crucial training infrastructure that can be leveraged across the region.

*Hosted ‘The Factory' Team to learn about the Palmerston North Accelerator and what can be applied here to provide greater diversification into value add land uses and strengthen Wairarapa’s performance as an artisan economy and smart food district.

*Meeting with Wellington based WREDA team to introduce new Project Manager

*Meeting with parties interested in forming a virtual angel/investment network to support projects via either philanthropic or venture capital investments.

*Joined Hon Simon Bridges - in the Wairarapa electorate, Alastair Scott (Wairarapa MP) and members of Wairarapa’s women in business community at a breakfast meeting. Marie-Claire spoke about how we are putting the Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy into action, which generated active discussion and much support.

Other Activities

*Dame Margaret Bazley, Wairarapa Mayors and council Chief Executives met on Monday 29 April to discuss approaches to economic development funding going forward.

*The Governance and Steering Groups met on Thursday 2 May to review progress of the WEDS and in particular the need to create a skills development strategy in the region relating to the Primary Sector.

*Dame Margaret Bazley and the programme team held a briefing meeting with Kieran McAnulty, Labour MP based in the Wairarapa, on the activities and focus of the WEDS to date.