Perfectly Placed for GrowthResearch (NZIER) estimates the new Highway will generate approximately 1,000 more local jobs and increase the population by around 10,000 over a 20-year

1

Perfectly Placed for Growth

2 Horowhenua - Perfectly Placed for Growth 3

Contents Foreword 4

Horowhenua Overview 6

Horowhenua Culture 7

NZIER report: Impact of improved connectivity with Wellington 8

Why invest in Horowhenua? 9Because it’s well connected 9Case Study - Life in Levin worth the commute 9Because it’s affordable 10Case Study - RJ’s Licorice 11Because we’re buisness friendly 12

Case Study - Woody’s Farm 12Case Study - Waikawa Blueberries 13Because we’ll back you to succeed 14Because it’s growing 14

Opportunities, Opportunities, Opportunities 16Tourism 16Levin Town Centre Redevelopment 17Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 18

Innovative Council – On a journey from good to great 20

Horowhenua’s Roadmap 21

Summary 22


ForewordMayor Brendan DuffyIt is a privilege to be the Mayor of Horowhenua at this unique time in our district’s history. We are standing at the beginning of a transformational period for our community that will empower us to grow, prosper and succeed. The upgrade to State Highway 1 between Levin and Wellington presents an array of opportunities for both Horowhenua locals and those who want to come and join us. Once completed the new highway will make Wellington less than an hour’s drive from

Levin, greatly increasing the district’s integration with Wellington and moving us to the heart of the lower North Island economy. Our affordable land prices, proximity to major economic centres and integration with key transportation links - coupled with our beautiful, sustainable community lifestyle - make Horowhenua a district full of potential. The new highway can be the key that unlocks this potential and ignites the district’s future. This is an exciting time not just for Horowhenua locals, but for those

looking for a great place to live, invest or do business. Horowhenua is a hidden a gem for anyone looking for a sustainable, relaxed lifestyle while still having the economic and career opportunities that our increasing integration with Wellington and Palmerston North provides. The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) estimates the new Highway will generate approximately 1,000 more local jobs and increase the population by around 10,000 over a 20-year period. These benefits however,

are not guaranteed. We need to ensure we do everything we can to attract the right people and businesses to our community. We need to ensure we keep what is special about Horowhenua while being forward thinking, innovative and aspirational. As mayor of Horowhenua, I am absolutely committed to all of this and more. We will grasp every opportunity with both hands and work in partnership with businesses and the community to transform Horowhenua.

“This is an exciting time not just for Horowhenua locals, but for

those looking for a great place to live, invest or do business.”

Chief Executive David ClappertonAs Chief Executive it is my job to lead the Horowhenua District Council on behalf of our community. The council has a vision to take our district from “good to great”. Horowhenua is already a good place to live and do business, and we are committed to making it even better.Central to our strategy is ensuring that Horowhenua is an attractive place to do business. The council

understands that it is the private sector which fundamentally drives economic growth. We see our role as creating a business-friendly environment with sound infrastructure that enables the private sector to grow, create jobs and succeed. As a council we are committed to putting economic growth at the centre of everything we do. Horowhenua is an opportunity rich environment. We are a low-cost, business-friendly district that is close, and getting much closer, to high-value markets. Businesses

from Horowhenua and all over New Zealand are seizing the opportunity to establish themselves in Horowhenua and sell their products and services where incomes and prices are much higher. Of course Horowhenua is not just a great place to do business. We are blessed with the beautiful outdoors, a great climate, and a friendly, laid back community lifestyle. In Horowhenua you can have the best of both worlds. We are an open, friendly community

which is always looking to do things differently and innovate. As a council we are committed to working in partnership with our community and businesses to make our district a great place be. If you decide to come to Horowhenua you will be supported and backed to succeed - not just by the council but by the community as a whole. We have the foundations set to make the next 20 years transformational for Horowhenua. Come and share the journey with us.


Horowhenua Overview Horowhenua is one New Zealand’s last hidden lifestyle gems that provides the perfect balance between laid-back community living and proximity to two major economic centres. Located on the lower west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, Horowhenua stretches from the mountains to the sea. The snow-topped Tararua Ranges set a picturesque backdrop to the winter months while the many beach communities fill up with holidaymakers in the summer. As well as a network of mountain bike trails, pristine rivers, market gardens, and a burgeoning creative arts and music scene, there is more to Horowhenua than meets the eye. Horowhenua has a population of around 30,000. The main centre of Levin is conveniently situated on the junction of State Highways 1 and 57, while several boutique villages and beach communities, including Foxton, Foxton Beach, Tokomaru, Ohau, Manakau, Waikawa Beach, Waitarere Beach and Shannon, are dotted around the district. Thanks to a micro-climate and unique rich soils, Horowhenua has been the food basket of the lower North Island for generations. The district’s bountiful produce is just as likely to find its way to a Japanese sushi bar, Wellington’s Sunday markets or to the neighbour’s fruit bowl (perhaps for something in return!). In addition to horticulture - manufacturing, food processing, construction and service industries make up the backbone of the local economy. Horowhenua is on the brink of an exciting new chapter in its history. Thanks to major improvements to State Highway 1 that will bring the capital within an hour’s drive (peak and non-peak), very affordable land prices, high-speed internet and increasingly flexible modern working arrangements, the district is primed to blossom.Over the next two decades Horowhenua’s population is set to grow by nearly 10,000 (roughly an increase of a third) as well as create more than 1,000 new local jobs. The combination of affordability, lifestyle and economic opportunity is set to transform the district. Whether you’re a business looking for a low-cost, well-connected environment close to major consumer markets, a young couple looking to raise a family, or retirees looking to step off the treadmill and see your property nest egg go further, Horowhenua is worth a closer look. Opportunity and comfort awaits.

Palmerston North

TokomaruFoxton

Shannon

Levin

Manakau

Otaki

Waikanae

Paraparaumu

Porirua

Wellington

“Horowhenua stretches from the mountains to the sea.”

= 1,000 peopleHorowhenua has a population of around

30,000

+

Horowhenua’s population is set to grow over the next 2 decades, creating new local jobs.

10,000

1,000 +

“While being close enough to Wellington to enjoy the best aspects of modern urban culture, the size of Horowhenua means that it retains a real community spirit.”

Horowhenua roughly translates from te reo Maori as ‘shaking or rippling earth’. And just like its earth, the culture of Horowhenua is rich.

The district is a diverse, multicultural society with strong Maori, Pasifika,

Dutch, Chinese, Filipino and European influences.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom is one of the many exciting cultural projects in

development. Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom is part of a new cultural centre in the heart of

Foxton that will host the national Dutch museum and tell the stories of ngā hapū o Ngati Raukawa

ki te Tonga (the subtribes of the Raukawa iwi of Horowhenua). While being close enough to Wellington to enjoy the best aspects of modern urban culture, the size of Horowhenua means that it retains a real community spirit. Knowing each other’s name and looking out for your neighbour is part of the social fabric that keeps the community strong. Horowhenua is an innovative community that embraces new ideas, backs people to succeed, and is always looking to do things differently. Te Takere is just one example of Horowhenua’s innovative and forward thinking spirit. Te Takere is a collaborative, multipurpose hub in Levin that provides the community a place to learn, do business, and play. Here you can grab a coffee, book a meeting room with modern teleconference facilities, listen to local artists, record music and much more.The outdoors is a big part of the Horowhenua lifestyle. Whether it’s taking care of a small orchard, mountain biking in the Tararua foothills, surfing at Foxton Beach, fishing at Waitarere beach, or tramping up the Otaki Forks there is plenty to keep the free spirits occupied.Levin boasts cafés, restaurants and theatres and a vibrant retail sector. Even the fussiest Wellingtonian would be impressed with the quality of food and coffee available.

Foxton is home to a number of museums and culture centres that reflect the district’s unique Maori and Dutch heritage. These include:• MAVtech – The Museum of Audiovisual

Technology: Unique in the southern hemisphere, MAVtech houses a vast collection of audio visual arts and associated sciences’ equipment. It also has a 200-seat working film theatre that screens to service clubs, groups and educational establishments as well as to Cine Club members.

• Foxton Flax Stripper Museum: A museum which preserves the flax (phormium tenax) industry once the backbone of the town. The buildings house the only working stripper and scutching machines in New Zealand. A video of woolpacks and carpet manufacturing from flax can be viewed along with supplementary photograph displays.

• Foxton Historical Society Museum - The museum houses many items relevant to the Foxton district’s past. These are housed and displayed in the old Foxton Courthouse and an air-conditioned archive facility. The collection highlights the railway, port and flax industries and has a fine Maori craft display. This is the only agency collecting material relevant to Foxton’s history.

• De Molen (authentic Dutch windmill) - This full-size operating Dutch Windmill is open to the public, allowing visitors to experience a little of The Netherlands. Tours are available and wholemeal wheat flour can be purchased from the mill.

And when there is an All Black game or rock concert on, it’s easy to head down to Wellington’s Westpac Stadium for a night out in the big city.

Horowhenua Culture Foxton Beach

Ohau

Waikawa Beach

Waitarere Beach


NZIER report: Impact of improved connectivity with Wellington To understand the impacts of the improved roading connection between Horowhenua and Wellington, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research was asked to provide a scenario of how the Horowhenua economy will likely perform once the upgrade is complete.

NZIER, which produced the report in early 2016, concluded that Horowhenua is set for a fresh injection of economic potential, by increasing the enabling infrastructure of the economy. The improvements to State Highway 1 between Wellington and Levin are expected to reduce freight costs and travel times and thereby make Wellington and Manawatū-Whanganui more desirable and more productive. This is a ‘free hit’ to the regional economy – in that this is investment in new capacity for the region that does not cannibalise other investment. If the investment works as intended, population growth, employment and economic activity will be significantly higher than otherwise would occur. More than 1,000 additional jobs will be created over the next 20 years, while the district’s population growth will accelerate and increase by around 10,000 over the same period.

The benefits for Horowhenua will be across a number of dimensions:• Increasing business opportunities further

away, as better transport links improve the proximity of customers in previously further away places

• Attracting new investment into the district as Horowhenua integrates better with neighbouring regions

• Attracting people to Horowhenua to live and work as the district becomes more attractive as a place to work (in and from), live and retire.

• Increased productivity following a ‘thickening’ in local markets for labour and goods and services as better integration with neighbouring regions creates a ‘catch-up’ in incomes and other economic measures.

These gains from improved infrastructure hold great promise for Horowhenua, but are not guaranteed. Local businesses, government and institutions need to work together to realise this opportunity. To do this NZIER recommended that the Horowhenua District Council focus its economic development efforts towards:

• Leveraging comparative advantages (including cheap land and attractiveness to land intensive industry)

• Planning for required infrastructure needs and intensive cooperation with neighbouring districts which, on some issues, are essentially part of the Horowhenua

• Lifting firms’ and households’ openness to change.

Horowhenua together with it’s business community is working hard to harness this exciting opportunity.

Life in Levin worth the capital commute Corinne, a life-time Levin local, has been commuting to Wellington since 2011, when her role with a national company changed, requiring her presence each day at the company’s head office.

“Apart from a few years living in London I’ve always lived in Levin. I was married here and we’re raising our family here. We didn’t want to uproot and move to the capital.”

“Levin and Horowhenua are such a great base for families. Taupo is only three hours away, New Plymouth and the Hawkes Bay only a little more. The climate is much better than it is in Wellington, the cost of living is cheaper, we’ve fantastic market gardens on our doorstep, and easy access to so many beaches and bush.”

Corinne’s children are active in a range of sports and Levin offers them opportunities galore, from hockey and swimming to surfing and cycling.

“We spend a bit of time in Taranaki surfing – so the extra 90-minute travelling time from Wellington wouldn’t be much fun for them,” she says.

Corinne splits her commute between driving to Wellington and driving to Waikanae, where she parks and catches the train. She also spends a night or two in the capital since the intensive road works have made travelling times longer and more unpredictable.

“But once all these road improvements are complete it will be fantastic and with commuting time down to around an hour that will make it a much more attractive proposition for others.”

Why invest in Horowhenua? Are you a business looking for a place to, expand, relocate or need warehousing? Are you a new start up looking for somewhere to set up shop? Here are just a few reasons why you should make Horowhenua your first choice:

Because it’s well connected Horowhenua is located in an extremely opportunity rich location, along the nation’s major transportation routes and close to both Palmerston North and Wellington. From Horowhenua there is easy access to four airports, an international sea port, and freight and commuter rail. Horowhenua is centred on the junction between State Highways 1 and 57 - the heart of the Lower North Island economy. Once the Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully roads are complete in 2020 Wellington will be within an hour’s drive of Levin at both peak and non-peak times. This is a dramatic improvement from the current commuting times of around 1 hour 40 minute at non-peak and up to 2 hours 30 minutes at peak times. The nation’s capital and third largest city will soon be a lot closer to Horowhenua and Horowhenua much closer to Wellington. This provides a huge array of opportunities for both locals and those wanting to move to, or invest in, the district. Wellington itself is a large market, with a highly skilled and well-paid workforce. In 2015 the capital had the highest average advertised salaries in New Zealand, according to job search company Seek, which found the average advertised salary in Wellington was $80,348. Many are already seizing the opportunity to physically base their businesses in Horowhenua where costs are low and sell their products and services to Wellington where prices are high and consumer sentiment remains buoyant. This simple but effective business model is working extremely well for a number of Horowhenua businesses.

As the nation’s capital, Wellington is not only a large economic centre but also the heart of political power. It is not uncommon for Ministers to be seen in Horowhenua discussing potential government investments and meeting local business people. The size of Horowhenua and its proximity to Wellington makes it an ideal centre for central government to run pilot programmes before rolling them out on a national level. One example of this has been the social sector trials and the children’s team being run by Ministry of Social Development. Horowhenua faces north just as it faces south. Palmerston North is only- 40 minutes’ drive up State Highway 1 from Levin. As well as being the lower North Island’s major transportation hub, Palmerston North is home to a number of high end research and development institutions, including Massey University, Plant & Food Research and AgResearch. Opportunities to innovate and make the most of New Zealand’s smartest minds is just another reason why Horowhenua is increasingly attractive to businesses with an innovation and R&D focus. Over the longer term the economies and labour markets of Palmerston North and Wellington are converging into an integrated lower North Island economy. What better place to invest than at its heart in Horowhenua?


Because it’s affordable Horowhenua is in an extremely fortunate position, both geographically and in a time-and-place sense. Horowhenua is a very low cost in environment to live, invest and do business while also being close (and about to become even closer) to centres of high economic and political power. In Horowhenua it is 52% cheaper to buy a home than the New Zealand average, with home ownership in the district at 69% compared to the New Zealand average of just 50%.With house prices in Wellington and other major centres becoming more and more unaffordable to many young families. Horowhenua is the perfect place to buy a decent home with a backyard that won’t cost the earth. Whether it is your first rung on the property ladder or you’re looking to sell in the big city for a substantial upgrade (you’d be amazed at what the value of your current house could purchase here), Horowhenua is the place to be. Equally for businesses, there is plenty of affordable flat land adjacent to major transportation routes that is ideally situated to base your business or use for warehousing and storage. Horowhenua is a business friendly environment with easy access to Wellington, Palmerston North and major transportation routes. Invest where it is cheap and sell where it is expensive. And why stop there? The world is becoming a smaller place with the growth of digital technologies and increased international trade. You can research, develop, and manufacture the next big thing right here in Horowhenua and sell it to the world. It is possible, we have many examples including RJ’s Licorice, Turks Poultry, Levana Textiles, Tendertips Asparagus NZ, Genoese, and Swazi.

“The climate’s much better than it is in Wellington, the cost of living is cheaper, we’ve fantastic market gardens on our doorstep, and easy access to so many beaches and bush.”

Education Horowhenua is a local initiative that brings together a community of educators from across all sectors to improve educational outcomes for children and young people in the district. The results of this initiative are already showing:

NCEA level 2 achievement rates for Horowhenua have been increasing year-on-year from 59.7% in 2011 to 74% in 2014

Early child education participation rates have increased from 91.7% in 2010 to 96.9% in 2015

Transience rates (students switching education providers) down to 61% of 2011 levels at 2014

Case study – RJ’s Licorice

In 2016 iconic kiwi licorice, RJ’s, turns 21. The business, which exports to global markets, was established in Levin in 1994 by the Halliwell family, and has grown to become a major local employer with a permanent staff of around 65.RJ’s was sold in 2015 to the Australian Quinn Family. However it will retain its Levin base as it plans to expand its production capability in the town.Amy Law, whose father Roger founded the company, says Levin is the perfect location for a manufacturing business with national and global markets to service.Amy says when the business was first established her father considered locations such as Porirua and the Hutt Valley but found that the Horowhenua region ticked all the boxes he was looking for.“Our primary international markets are the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, and we’re also sold in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Our products are shipped by road and rail to either Napier or Auckland for international distribution by sea freight.“Our central location makes our distribution network cost effective and fast. Overheads here are cheaper than in locations closer to the main centres and it’s a business-friendly environment”.“We’re smack in the middle of the country. It’s a great position from a freight and logistics perspective.”While many of the staff are employed locally, RJ’s is close enough to larger centres such as Palmerston North and Wellington to be able to attract more specialised staff.

“We’re smack in the middle of

the country. It’s a great

position from a freight

and logistics perspective.”

The company runs two overlapping shifts and with the brand increasingly recognised internationally as being of the highest quality, the business is looking to expand its operations to meet increasing demand.“It’s been a great 21 years and while our ownership may have changed it makes perfect sense for our operations to remain exactly where we are,” says Amy.

Case study - Woody’s FarmWhen British born consumer electronics expert Daniel Todd and his Wellington- born wife Claire were looking for a lifestyle change - ethically raising free range heritage pig breeds - choosing their Horowhenua farm was an easy decision to make.

“We’d been living in New Plymouth and travelling regularly to Wellington,” says Daniel. “We fell in love with the Horowhenua district. Our 800 acre farm in Manakau, just south of Levin, is nestled in the Tararua foothills, with a backdrop of pine forest and native bush.”It’s a beautiful spot but its location also makes perfect business sense. We sell mainly direct to restaurants in Palmerston North, Otaki and Wellington and we’re ideally situated for all of these markets.”Woody’s Free Range Farm was launched in 2013, after several years of dreaming and planning. Daniel says he’d seen the horrors of pig factory farming and was determined to farm ‘the right way’.

The couple breed Large Black and Berkshire pigs. Heritage breeds are those that can be traced back to before industrial farming, when all pigs were kept out in pasture. “There’s a real community spirit here, with many like-mined boutique farms nearby. Among our neighbours are a raw milk dairy and a free range egg farm.”As the major roading links with the capital come on line the improved travelling times will only help Daniel to market his products to the Wellington market. “Once travel time is reduced to less than an hour that just opens up even more possibilities.”www.woodysfarm.co.nz

Because we are business friendly Horowhenua is a business-friendly district. We understand that to grow our economy and prosper we need businesses to prosper. That is why we have put economic development at the centre of our growth strategy and continually strive to improve the business environment.

The Business Attractiveness Index is a multi-criteria assessment that evaluates how attractive a district is to do business in. Horowhenua has an excellent rating of 4.4 out of 5, being the second highest in the Lower North Island and significantly ahead of Wellington (2.8) and Palmerston North (3.8). The index looks at a range of factors that businesses consider when deciding where to locate including: • Property costs (commercial and industrial) • Commercial rates • Water prices • Development contributions (of which we

have none).• Supply of skilled labour • Cost of labour • Housing affordability • Secondary education achievement • Participation in early childhood education.Horowhenua’s high rating reflects that fact that the council and community support businesses and share a common goal for our economy to grow.

Case study - Waikawa BlueberriesAs a horticulture student studying at Massey University in Palmerston North, Lisa Buchan dreamed of owning her own business. And while it may have taken 20 years before she was able to realise that dream she’s now loving her lifestyle running Waikawa Blueberries. Together with partner Glenn Wigley, Lisa opened the pick-your-own berry business about nine years ago.

“Both Glenn and I had corporate careers in Wellington but had our hearts set on running our own horticulture business. When the time was right we did our homework, worked on our business plan and began looking at opportunities in Nelson, Wairarapa and here in Horowhenua.”“In the end it was a fairly easy decision. The Horowhenua offers an ideal climate for growing blueberries, which thrive with hot summers, cold winters and the right amount of rainfall.”And the local climate is ideal for humans too! “We just love it here. For a number of years we continued living in Wellington and travelled north to develop the business. Then a couple of years ago we built on our property and divided out time between here and Wellington. And now we’re living here full time – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”Both Lisa and Glenn still work in Wellington, making full use of the train connections to the capital.

“When the new roads open that will bring Wellington even closer but as the region continues to grow we’re also looking forward to more frequent train connections.”The couple planted olive trees when they first purchased the property and these are now close to providing bountiful harvests too. With a local community that fully appreciates locally grown produce and significant nearby markets of Palmerston North and Wellington, the couple’s decision to operate solely as a pick-your-own business has been a great success. “When it comes to marketing all we need is our FaceBook page. We might be in a rural setting, but the internet means our customer base is right on our front doorstep,”says Lisa. “We love seeing families enjoying themselves picking the berries, it’s what we’re all about really.”www.waikawablueberries.com

“In the end it was a fairly easy decision. The Horowhenua offers an ideal climate for growing blueberries, which thrive with hot summers, cold winters and the right amount of rainfall.”

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Because we’ll back you to succeed When you come to live or invest in Horowhenua you’ll be welcomed and supported by the community. Horowhenua is home to a highly skilled workforce who are willing to work, continually learn, and put the effort in to succeed. Horowhenua has a forward thinking and progressive education system that not only ensures children get the best start in life, but also integrates seamlessly with local business so that our young people learn.The Horowhenua District Council is a huge supporter of those wanting to move or invest in the district. The council is committed to putting economic development at the centre of its

actions and decisions to make Horowhenua the provincial engine room of next generation New Zealand. Horowhenua District Council prides itself on being highly customer focussed. We go above and beyond to ensure that when you need to engage with the council it is a quick, positive and hassle-free engagement. The last thing you need when you are running a business is unnecessary red tape If you would like to learn more about what the council can do for you, then get in touch - we’re always happy to talk.

A Customer focused Council

Average processing time to issue a Code

Compliance CertificateStatutory timeframe

is 20 days

All telephone calls to Council are

answered within 45 seconds

Average is 21 seconds

6.45 days

Building consents granted within

statutory timeframes

100%

Because it’s growingHorowhenua is set to grow by roughly a third over the next 20 years, an increase of about 10,000 people.

This growth is already beginning to take shape, with 58% increase in residential consents and 60% increase in non-residential consents over the last year compared to the national average of 21% and 16% respectively. House sales are also increasing by 58% annually compared to the national average of 21%. Horowhenua is a district on the move.

As Horowhenua grows and becomes more integrated in the lower North Island economy there will be an increase of Wellington and Palmerston North commuters and those working from home– all with relatively high disposable incomes or household wealth. They will all be needing products and services to meet their lifestyle needs.

Horowhenua also has a relatively high number of retirees, comprising 24% of the district’s population compared to the national average of only 14%. As the baby boomer generation progressively retires, Horowhenua will be an attractive location to settle and enjoy “the good life”.

To cater for this growth and changing demographics there will be many opportunities for businesses to grow and prosper in Horowhenua.

Current Horowhenua Population by age group

Land Information Memorandum (LIMs)

Processed within 24 Hours.

Horowhenua District Council recently appointed Melissa Hanson as Customer & Development Enabler to provide a more personalized service to valued business customers. The role has been designed with our business users in mind and is designed to assist clients to navigate their engagement with council, guide them through processes and mediate them through any challenges that arise. We enable positive experiences and successful outcomes for our key stakeholders on their journey with us from Good to Great.

Year

800

600

400

200

096 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

House sales

Residential consents

Number

Total 9019

Total 2354

Manwatu-Wanganui

Indicator (Annual average % change)

Horowhenua District

Manawatu-Wanganui Region New Zealand

Gross Domestic Product 2.3% 1.6% 2.3%

Traffic flow 4.4% 4.9% 4.2%

Residential consents 38% 15% 11%

Non-residential consents 25% -43% 10%

House prices* 3.5% 5.8% 9.7%

House sales 53% 24% 19%

Retail trade 2.6% 3% 2.8%

The growth is already beginning to take shape…


Opportunities, Opportunities, Opportunities! Horowhenua is growing and becoming more connected and integrated in to the lower North Island economy. There is a lot happening in the district and plenty of opportunities for locals and those interested in moving or investing here.

TourismHorowhenua has the potential to become a local tourist destination, particularly for Wellingtonians looking for a short break in a warmer climate that isn’t too far to get to. Once the road upgrades are complete Horowhenua will be closer to Wellington than Martinborough. Why wind your way all the way up and over the Rimutaka Ranges when you can find great food, beaches and much more directly up State Highway 1? The vast improvement to the roading connection between the capital and Horowhenua has the potential to open up the district to a new generation of tourism opportunities. Combined with some of the council-lead initiatives already under-way there are many opportunities for forward-thinking business.

Levin Town Centre Redevelopment and Foxton Main Street MakeoverAs the district’s main centre, Levin is set to be transformed. Led by the Horowhenua District Council in partnership with the local community and businesses, the Levin Town Centre redevelopment project is looking at where and how investment, policy and other changes can be made to facilitate changes to the town centre so that its future is vibrant and prosperous. The project is looking at areas for new development and opportunities for redevelopment.Work will also identify what public space and amenities can be provided to support successful businesses and property development.

If you have a business idea that could support the Levin Town centre redevelopment, please get in touch with the Horowhenua District Council. We’d love to hear from you.

Foxton is also set to get a makeover to ready itself for this new era in Horowhenua. Native trees and low-level shrubs will be planted along the main street to make it more visually appealing, enhance public enjoyment and contribute to biodiversity values. More bike stands will be installed, encouraging locals to cycle through town

and encourage cycle tourists to stop in for a drink and bite to eat. Footpaths will be widened at key points to provide more public space for café tables, temporary stalls, seating and garden beds.

If you have a business idea that could benefit the Foxton Main Street Makeover please get in touch with the Horowhenua District Council. We’d love to hear from you.

“As the district’s main centre, Levin is set to be transformed ”


Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom One of the most exciting developments taking place in Horowhenua is the construction of Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, which will be the cornerstone of a revitalised Foxton cultural centre. Construction started in May 2016 and the centre is scheduled to be open to the public in June 2017.Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will be a multi-purpose community hub, and home to:

• Piriharakeke Generation Inspiration Centre - a high-quality arts and crafts gallery and museum representing stories of local Māori

• Developed and supported by Te Taitoa Māori o Te Awahou Trust

• Dutch Connection Centre - New Zealand’s National Dutch Museum that will inform, educate and inspire New Zealand about its Dutch connections developed and supported by the Dutch Connection Trust

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom will also include world-class galleries for local, national and international exhibitions, meeting rooms, lounge spaces, performance spaces, workshop and learning spaces, and a cafe. The facility will be integrated with surrounding amenities such as the deMolen Windmill, Whare Manaaki Māori Gallery, the Flax Stripper Museum and the upgrade of Foxton’s Main Street.

“Foxton is also set to get a makeover to ready itself for this new era in Horowhenua.”


Innovative Council – On a journey from good to great Just like the community it represents, the Horowhenua District Council is innovative and forward thinking. The Council’s vision is to work together with local communities, businesses and potential investors to take the district from ‘good to great’. Horowhenua District Council exists to serve the residents and ratepayers of Horowhenua. Our work spans everything from helping a resident register their dog to developing and consulting on the District Plan. We listen to the needs of our community, and ensure we are responding to those needs in a way which illustrates we are effective and efficient but more importantly are adding value. We strive for excellence in all our services and activities to make Horowhenua a great place in which to live, work and play.

To achieve its vision, the Council is committed to providing a business-friendly environment that will generate economic growth and development in the district. While the Council is a significant influencer in our district, it is the private sector which is the engine room of our economy. The Council sees its role as ensuring the infrastructure and policy settings give the private sector the best opportunities to succeed.

Infrastructure PlatformTo retain, create and attract new businesses we need our infrastructure to support economic growth. The Council’s policy it to support the needs of the business community now and for the future. This means providing roads, communications, water and other services to support new developments. To do this effectively and efficiently we listen to business and work collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes. We actively seek feedback and continually look to improve how we can provide better services, more effectively and efficiently.

Shared Roading Contract A collaborative regional approach taken by the Manawatu, Rangitikei and Horowhenua District Councils has led to a single contractor, Higgins Contractors Ltd, providing roading infrastructure services across the three districts. There is now a team of 12 to 15 roading staff who can share expertise and best practise across district boundaries to provide better and more efficient roading outcomes. Using a single contractor will save ratepayer dollars and enable more to be reinvested in maintaining and improving the roading networks in Horowhenua and neighbouring districts.

Growth Response TeamHorowhenua District Council has recently been reorganised to ensure our organisation is ready to support the expected growth for our district. The Growth Response Team will take the lead in developing the appropriate responses to ensure upcoming growth opportunities are enabled and are responsible for developing a coordinated approach to growth response.

Horowhenua’s Roadmap - Horowhenua is already a good place to liveHorowhenua is already good place to live and work, but we want to make it a great place to live and work, for locals and those who want to join us. Horowhenua has until now been a community, slightly hidden and out of the spotlight. We are a strong, resilient community that looks out for each other and enjoys the many benefits of a sustainable laid-back community lifestyle. The outdoors, great food and creative arts scene are all part of what makes the Horowhenua such a special place. But Horowhenua has never been a district to

stand still and we are excited about the opportunities that lay ahead. Many different factors are converging to create a perfect environment for an innovative, aspirational and positive future. We want to ensure that we keep what makes Horowhenua special but also seize the opportunities with open arms. For many, Horowhenua has often been seen as a stop-off point on the way to a further destination - now we want to make Horowhenua the destination. Affordable land prices, vastly improving connectivity to major centres, a modernising labour market and changing demographics, combined with a great lifestyle

and community spirit make Horowhenua an exciting district to be part of. There are opportunities aplenty. And for everyone who chooses to come to the best hidden district in New Zealand you’ll be welcomed and supported all the way. Horowhenua is embarking on an exciting journey – will you join us?


SummaryLike many opportunities, it is the first few who choose to take advantage of circumstances who realise the greatest return. In not too many years Horowhenua will still be the highly attractive place to live and do business that it is now, but some of the comparative cost advantages will be beginning to balance out.

Now is the time to look at moving your home or business to Horowhenua. The local community is excited about the future and is working hard to ensure we grasp every opportunity with both hands. A warm welcome awaits those who want to come and share the dream with us.

If you need any more convincing here are five reasons why you should make Horowhenua your new home:

1. Horowhenua is a great place to live – the wide open spaces, laidback lifestyle, great climate, and the people all make Horowhenua what it is: a fantastic place to live

2. Horowhenua is affordable – we have some of the most affordable land and homes in all of New Zealand

3. Horowhenua is connected – soon to be within an hour’s drive of Wellington and only 40 mins from Palmerston North, Horowhenua will be at the heart of an integrated, prosperous Lower North Island economy

4. Horowhenua is about to blossom – the new Highway between Levin and Wellington is set to unlock the district’s full potential

5. Horowhenua will welcome you - whether you’re a young family, retirees or a business owner, you’ll find a true home in Horowhenua

Horowhenua is embarking on an exciting journey – will you join us?

24 Horowhenua - Perfectly Placed for Growth

06 366 0999

Private Bag 4002, Levin 5540

126 Oxford St, Levin 5510

www.horowhenua.govt.nz

[email protected]

Horowhenua

Documents

Perfectly Placed for GrowthResearch (NZIER) estimates the new Highway will generate approximately 1,000 more local jobs and increase the population by around 10,000 over a 20-year