Articles tagged with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa
Kiwi Businesses Save Time Accessing $400M Government Grants with New Funding Explorer
2 weeks ago | 191 viewsThe upgraded Funding Explorer, launched by the New Zealand government, consolidates 15 funding opportunities from seven agencies into a single searchable platform, enabling businesses to quickly find relevant grants and support. This tool addresses previous fragmentation and navigation difficulties, allowing businesses to search by sector or objective, such as commercializing ideas or boosting productivity. The initiative, praised by industry leaders, aims to reduce time spent on government paperwork, fostering more investment, job creation, and stronger exports.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Catherine Lye Funding Explorer Small Business Manufacturing business grants government agencies Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa business funding business.govt.nzEarn as You Learn Expands to Train Young Kiwis for Manufacturing Careers
3 weeks ago | 233 viewsThe Earn as You Learn programme, which combines paid workplace learning with formal training and industry mentoring, is expanding into the Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch, and Auckland to address the manufacturing sector's skilled workforce shortage. Developed by manufacturers and supported by Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, the programme has proven successful in the Waikato pilot, with most participants securing full-time jobs after completing their training. The government is committed to expanding vocational pathways alongside this initiative, aiming to grow the skilled manufacturing workforce essential for New Zealand's economic recovery and future innovation.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Catherine Lye Earn as You Learn Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec New Zealand Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Waikato Youth Guarantee Trades AcademyNew Zealand Manufacturing Leads Economic Growth with 1.9% Rise in Q1 2026
2 months ago | 490 viewsNew Zealand's manufacturing sector led economic growth in the March 2026 quarter, expanding 1.9 percent and significantly contributing to the country's 0.8 percent GDP growth. This growth was driven by innovative firms like Dawn Aerospace, Rocket Lab, and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, reflecting strong productivity and forward orders. The government supports this sector through initiatives like the Investment Boost, aiming to enhance productivity and sustain manufacturing's role in New Zealand's economic recovery.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Dawn Aerospace Rocket Lab Fisher and Paykel Healthcare New Zealand Manufacturing GDP Small Business Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Manufacturing Productivity Advisory GroupNew Zealand Manufacturing Leads Economic Growth with 1.9% Rise in Q1 2026
2 months ago | 472 viewsNew Zealand's manufacturing sector led economic growth in the March 2026 quarter, expanding 1.9 percent and driving a 0.8 percent overall GDP increase, with strong performance in transport equipment and machinery manufacturing. Key firms like Dawn Aerospace, Rocket Lab, and Fisher and Paykel Healthcare are spearheading innovation and productivity, supported by government initiatives such as the Investment Boost to encourage capital investment. Manufacturing, contributing around 8 percent of GDP and employing over 220,000 people, is central to New Zealand's economic recovery and future growth strategy.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Dawn Aerospace Rocket Lab Fisher and Paykel Healthcare New Zealand Manufacturing Small Business Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Manufacturing Productivity Advisory Group Investment Boost2026 Minister for Manufacturing Awards Finalists Celebrate NZ Industry Innovation
3 months ago | 653 viewsMinister Cameron Brewer announced the finalists for the 2026 Minister for Manufacturing Awards, which celebrate innovation and excellence in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector that employs 250,000 people and contributes significantly to the economy and exports. The awards introduce three new categories, including one for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, reflecting the sector’s diversity and importance. The government is committed to supporting manufacturers through skills development and technology adoption, with winners to be announced at the EMEX 2026 event in Auckland.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Minister for Manufacturing New Zealand Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa EMEX 2026 Minister of Small Business Manufacturing Awards Auckland Showgrounds New Zealand Manufacturing Manufacturing IndustryNew Zealand Manufacturing Hits Highest Activity Since 2021 with Growth and Awards
7 months ago | 1195 viewsNew Zealand manufacturing activity reached its highest level since December 2021, with the seasonally adjusted PMI rising to 56.1, indicating industry expansion and outperforming major global economies. Manufacturing is vital to New Zealand’s economy, employing over 220,000 people, contributing 8% of GDP, and accounting for 60% of exports, with recent growth signaling a positive outlook. To celebrate this success, the government announced the second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards, introducing new categories to recognize small businesses, emerging leaders, and lifetime contributions, with entries opening from 23 February to 31 March 2026.
Tags: Chris Penk New Zealand Manufacturing Small Business BNZ BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index Minister for Manufacturing Awards Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Auckland ShowgroundsEarn as You Learn: Expanding Paid Manufacturing Apprenticeships Across NZ
8 months ago | 883 viewsThe Earn as You Learn pilot, launched in Waikato in February 2025, connects high school students with manufacturers to provide paid, real-world experience while earning a manufacturing certificate, achieving over 80% learner completion and strong employer support. Due to its success, the program will expand to the Hutt Valley and Canterbury in 2026, and Auckland in 2027, aiming to increase graduates from 17 to 100-150 annually. This initiative addresses skilled labor shortages in manufacturing, a key sector for New Zealand’s economy, by fostering collaboration between industry, educators, and government to build a future workforce.
Tags: Chris Penk Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa Wintec Waikato Engineering Careers Association Earn as You Learn New Zealand Waikato Hutt Valley Canterbury