Northland Inc delivers a 180 per cent impact for Te Tai Tokerau

Northland Inc has delivered an investment of $46m into the regional economy over 10 years equating to a 180 per cent return on the cost, according to a report released this month.

The council-controlled organisation works across a wide range of activities from supporting local businesses and strengthening the primary sector in Te Tai Tokerau to attracting investment, developing major projects and growing the region’s visitor economy.

The report, Delivering for Taitokerau: Shareholder Impact 2011–2026, found that using a shareholder investment of $16.5m, Northland Inc was able to leverage a $46m investment into the Northland economy from 2013 to 2023. The findings were presented to the Joint Regional Economic Development Committee earlier this month. Far North District Council is one of Northland Inc’s shareholder partners.

The organisation’s Investment and Growth Reserve encourages public and private investment. Since its establishment, the reserve has supported 61 projects through project development funding. Those initiatives have helped attract more than $400 million in follow-on investment into the region.

In addition to its investment work, Northland Inc has played a role in supporting the region through major disruption events affecting whānau, businesses and communities. For example, securing or jointly advocating for around $14 million in additional government and agency funding following events including the COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Gabrielle, as well as disruptions to infrastructure such as the closure of SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills and the 2024 Transpower tower failure.

Destination marketing activity has also played a role in strengthening the visitor economy, generating an estimated $113 million in equivalent advertising value over five years.

Northland Inc is owned by Northland’s four councils, including FNDC, and works in partnership with local government, iwi and industry to help grow the regional economy.

The full report is available via the Northland Inc website.