Provincial Development Unit
The Provincial Development Unit (PDU) was established in 2018 within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to support delivery of government funding to enhance economic development opportunities in regional New Zealand.
On this page
How the PDU works
The PDU works across government and with industry, communities, iwi and local government through 3 programmes:
- the Provincial Growth Fund
- He Poutama Rangatahi
- the Sector Workforce Engagement Programme.
The PDU, working with an Independent Panel, is responsible for the design and administration and monitoring of the Provincial Growth Fund, in consultation with other government agencies.
Initial funding
The Government has allocated $3 billion, over 3 years. This is further supported by a commitment to improve employment outcomes across Aotearoa.
The Provincial Growth Fund
The Provincial Growth Fund aims to lift productivity in the provinces. Its priorities are to enhance economic development opportunities, create sustainable jobs, enable Māori to reach full potential, boost social inclusion and participation, build resilient communities, and help meet New Zealand’s climate change targets.
He Poutama Rangatahi
He Poutama Rangatahi is a pilot initiative focused on tackling youth unemployment.
It aims to support communities to develop pathways for rangatahi (aged 15-24) that are not currently in employment, education or training and take them through to sustained employment underpinned by intensive pastoral care.
Find out more
Find out more about the Provincial Development Unit's work on its website: