Independent Economic Development Delivery

Horowhenua District Council is tasked with enabling better economic wellbeing outcomes in the district, and up until 2018 this service was carried out within Council. In 2017, Council unanimously agreed to support the establishment of a community owned, not-for-profit trust that could operate independently to help the people, places and communities of Horowhenua to flourish.

In 2018 the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust (HNZT) was established with a mission to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the people of Horowhenua. HNZT set up a wholly owned subsidiary, The Horowhenua Company Ltd (THCL), that operates as the independent development agency for Horowhenua.

Council has a contract with the THCL to provide economic development services for Horowhenua. You can find out more about THCL and the Trust by visiting The Horowhenua Company Ltd's website, their Facebook page or their LinkedIn page.

What economic development services does the Horowhenua Company provide?

THCL is contracted until 30 June 2024 to provide economic development services for Council. The services provided include:

• networking and learning events for businesses, enterprise, NGOs and community leaders - find out about the next business networking event by visiting The Horowhenua Company Ltd's website
• sourcing and analysing independent data and information to help Horowhenua to make better, more informed decisions about things that matter to the communities in Horowhenua - you can find out more by visiting the The Horowhenua Company Ltd's website
• working with local and out of town enterprise to realise new opportunities for Horowhenua
• collaboration with local, regional and national organisations who can help improve economic wellbeing outcomes.

Are there any examples of this sort of Trust being done successfully?

Yes. In Australia it's quite common for local government to support the establishment of bodies like this trust and there are many examples of trusts that have been established and operate successfully around New Zealand.

Recently there's increasing interest from other Councils in this model for economic development as they see the benefits of independent advice and advocacy in helping to deliver to wider community outcomes.