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In an environment that caters to a positive work-life balance, it’s easy to discover why our region is brilliant for business.
Located at the crossroads of the central North Island, there are a number of major employment sectors in Palmerston North and Manawatū including logistics and freight, agribusiness, food innovation and research, and a business support hub.
The region is home to leading tertiary education providers like Massey University, UCOL and IPU New Zealand, as well as a number of crown and commercial research facilities, including Plant and Food Research and Fonterra Research and Development Centre. Palmerston North has the highest concentration of scientists and researchers in Australasia, with over 2,000 working here in Manawatū.
The region’s central location in New Zealand positions us as a distribution and logistics hub, with highway, rail and air connections to regions in all directions. Other major employment sectors include government agencies, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and more. Manawatū is also home to a large number of defence personnel, with Ohakea Air Base and Linton Military Camp located here.
There are also a number of technology, agritech, manufacturing and rural servicing firms based in Manawatū, alongside small and medium sized business and self employed residents, who make up an important part of the region’s workforce.
Business Development
The Central Economic Development Agency has a Business Team that helps businesses in the greater Manawatu-Wanganui region to enhance their capabilities through the Regional Business Partner Network, which is supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Callaghan Innovation.
CEDA can support start-ups, growing your business, development and training, investing in innovation and growth and exporting, and we can help to put you in touch with any other service you may need. Learn more and get in touch today. Building Clever Companies, a specialist in business development for start-ups in agriculture, agritech, and agrifood.
Networks
- The Factory – A co-working space
- Manawatū Chamber of Commerce
- Manawatū Young Professional Network
- Three Keys
- Women and Business
- Network of Skilled Migrants
- Palmerston North Rotary
- Feilding Rotary
Finding Work
Employment agencies
- Action Personnel
- Adecco Personnel
- AWF
- Drake International
- OneStaff
- Palmerston North Personnel
- Workbridge
- Work and Income NZ