29 Jan 2026
8 months ago
1280 views
Nelson’s marina expansion has received a $12.89 million loan to upgrade infrastructure, including a 110-tonne vessel hoist and expanded maintenance capacity, aiming to boost the regional economy and create up to 180 ongoing jobs. The project, co-funded by Nelson Marina Management Ltd and owned by Nelson City Council, will also feature a new marine service centre with office, retail, and workshop spaces. Construction is set to begin in May and finish by mid-2028, supporting Nelson’s significant blue economy, which contributes over $350 million annually and employs more than 3,700 people.
26 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1509 views
Wairoa Airport will receive a $4.2 million upgrade, including runway extension and improved infrastructure, to enhance its operational capacity and support the region’s growing needs. The airport plays a crucial role in commercial flights, emergency health transport, and logistics during extreme weather, as demonstrated during Cyclone Gabrielle. Funded by the Regional Infrastructure Fund and North Island Weather Event fund, construction will begin in late 2026, with local employment prioritized.
23 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1493 views
The Government is investing over $10 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade the National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty, enhancing infrastructure resilience and creating 71 jobs, particularly for Māori youth. The new complex will serve as a cultural, educational, and civil defence hub, preserving the heritage of the Ringatū faith founded by Te Kooti and supporting the broader Māori community. This initiative follows similar investments in other significant marae and aims to strengthen rural marae as vital community assets.
21 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1939 views
The Government is providing a $3.1 million loan to support a $13.6 million industrial subdivision near Gore, a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu’s Hokonui Rūnanga and Robertson Transport Limited, addressing the shortage of large industrial lots in the area. The 43-hectare project, located on State Highway 1, will create up to 50 construction jobs and attract various industries while generating sustainable income for Hokonui Rūnanga to fund community services. This development is the first phase of a 90-hectare master plan aimed at diversifying Southland’s economy and includes future plans for marae relocation, housing, and childcare facilities.
06 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1396 views
Elaine Bay Fuel Services has received a $350,000 grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to install a 20,000-litre petrol tank and dispensing infrastructure, restoring critical fuel access for communities, marine operators, and emergency services in the outer Marlborough Sounds. This investment supports key regional industries like aquaculture, tourism, and farming by reducing the need for a one-hour drive to Rai Valley for refuelling and enhancing resilience against road closures caused by extreme weather. The project, co-funded with $235,000 from EBFS, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
17 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1448 views
The Government is investing over $77 million to relocate the Hastings Racecourse in Hawke’s Bay, freeing up prime land for more than 600 new homes and boosting local housing availability. The new state-of-the-art racecourse will support the racing industry’s $37 million annual economic contribution, create around 270 ongoing jobs, and provide a civil defence centre for the Flaxmere community. During its four-year construction, the project will generate over 400 full-time jobs, supporting regional economic growth while preserving over 150 years of racing heritage.
27 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1152 views
A $1.6 million grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support a new solar project to strengthen electricity supply for the remote Māori community of Horeke in Northland, benefiting around 100 households, five marae, and one school. The upgrade will address frequent power outages, reduce reliance on diesel and gas, and enable economic growth through eco and cultural tourism. The grant, provided to the Utakura 7 Incorporation trust, will fund construction and network improvements to enhance energy security and support essential services, especially during extreme weather events.
25 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1162 views
Over $2.31 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will upgrade Jackson Bay Wharf, enhancing disaster resilience and supporting the local fishing industry by ensuring reliable seafood transport. The $3.3 million project, led by Westland District Council, includes structural improvements and digital surveillance to maintain the wharf’s safety and functionality. This upgrade, part of a $7.81 million investment across West Coast ports, exemplifies strong local and central government collaboration, boosting regional infrastructure, economic growth, and job creation.
17 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1190 views
The Regional Infrastructure Fund, supported by Ministers Shane Jones and Louise Upston, is funding projects in regional New Zealand to create resilient communities and local employment opportunities. Since its opening in mid last year, the RIF has committed over $862 million to projects, with $355.6 million already approved and announced. These projects are expected to provide employment for over 1750 full-time workers during construction, prioritizing local workforce planning and creating job opportunities in construction, agriculture, horticulture, and processing.
16 Oct 2025
1 year ago
1233 views
The Government is investing $97 million in 32 flood resilience projects across New Zealand, protecting 30,000 homes and 350,000 hectares of land. The focus is on equipping regions to bounce back from storms, with 22 projects in the South Island addressing the urgent need for infrastructure resilience. These investments aim to protect 100,000 residents in flood-prone areas and bring the total RIF commitment to nearly $200 million since August 2024, with a significant impact on preventing damages and supporting local communities.
04 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1328 views
The Government is supporting 19 ambitious science programs, including the DeepHeat project by the New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited, which aims to explore the energy potential of the Central Taupo Volcanic Zone using supercritical geothermal energy. This project, funded with $10 million from the Endeavour Fund, is seen as groundbreaking and essential for New Zealand's future prosperity, as geothermal energy offers a reliable alternative to weather-dependent renewable sources like hydro, solar, and wind. The Government's investment of over $183 million in various projects, from climate technology to healthcare and clean energy, demonstrates the power of science to drive innovation, economic growth, and a more resilient future.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1581 views
Southland's space sector receives a significant boost through a loan of up to $2.25 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for Space Operations New Zealand Limited. The loan will support the expansion of the business at the Awarua Satellite Ground Station near Invercargill, leveraging Southland's strategic location for satellite operations. The project aims to create a regional space hub, accelerating essential works to meet current demand and future growth plans, ultimately enhancing the development of Southland's space industry.
27 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1540 views
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is providing $24.62 million to boost horticulture expansion in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti through water storage, flood resilience, and Māori land projects, aiming to enhance regional economies, employment, and export growth while improving resilience to economic shocks and extreme weather events. Specific projects include establishing high-value horticulture on Māori land in Tairāwhiti, expanding water storage capacity in Hawke’s Bay, replenishing the Makauri aquifer in Tairāwhiti, and developing water storage infrastructure for pipfruit orchards. These investments aim to strengthen regional resilience and productivity, with a focus on supporting the regions' economic growth and success.
03 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2648 views
The Government is investing more than $56 million into water resilience projects in rural Canterbury to help protect against changing weather patterns and increase productivity through higher value land use, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say. “Ease of access to water is a top priority for Canterbury’s rural communities,” Mr Jones says. “Canterbury has so far avoided the extreme drought experienced in previous years, thanks in part to high rainfall over December and January.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2385 views
A reservoir to be built near Carterton will be a game-changer for the town and wider Wairarapa region, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The 20ha reservoir, which will hold up to 1 million m3, will provide water for industry at Waingawa Industrial Park and irrigation for land. “Water resilience has been identified as a regional priority for Wairarapa.