Regional directions

In recent years, Te Tai Tokerau has grown faster than any other region in the country. The region depends on rail and road connections to Tāmaki Makaurau and the rest of the country.

The size and scale of long-term growth in Tāmaki Makaurau means our biggest city must adopt new approaches for better transport planning for the country to achieve transformational change.

Waikato has the fourth largest regional economy. It sits at the heart of the Upper North Island, with economic connections to Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Moana a Toi-te-Huatahi.

Te Moana a Toi-te-Huatahi is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Port of Tauranga is the country’s primary export port and plays an important role in the region. 

Tairāwhiti is one of the most remote regions in the country and home to about 1% of the country’s population. The region’s social and economic opportunities depend on connections to Te Moana a Toi-te-Huatahi, Te Matau-a-Māui, and other regions.

Te Matau-a-Māui is home to about 166,000 people. Nearly 80% of the region’s population live in Ahuriri Napier and Heretaunga Hastings, where most future growth will occur.

Taranaki is a highly productive region. Seventy percent of the population lives in and around Ngāmotu New Plymouth, where most future growth is projected.

The central location of Manawatū-Whanganui means its transport networks carry significant volumes of through-traffic, connecting people and freight to other regions in the North Island.

Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui is the third largest regional economy. The region relies heavily on two north-south corridors, for the movement of people and freight by road and rail.

Te Tauihu covers the prosperous regions of Te Tai o Aorere Tasman, Whakatū Nelson, and Te Tauihu-o-te-Waka-a Māui Marlborough. The region makes up about 3% of the country’s population.

Te Tai o Poutini is home to some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. It has a sparse population with 85% of the region’s land protected for conservation.

Waitaha is the largest geographic region in the country. It dominates the South Island economy and is home to over half its population. 

Ōtākou is the country’s second largest region by land area. Ōtepoti Dunedin is the largest urban centre in Ōtākou, but Tāhuna Queenstown is the fastest growing area.

Murihiku is the southern-most region of the country. As the largest urban centre, Waihōpai Invercargill provides most core services for the wider region.