Legislative Implications Compliance Cost Statement Publicity Recommendations Introduction 1. This paper seeks Cabinet Committee's agreement to a broad strategy for government engagement in regional development and the principles for that engagement, and for further work to be undertaken on establishing the parameters of government response to regional development including the implementation of a regional development programme. Executive Summary 2.
Regional development is about applying sustainable development on a regional scale.
The overall aim is to assist individuals, firms, industries and communities within regions to identify local opportunities, develop capability and capacity to respond to opportunities, and exploit opportunities. Currently there is a piecemeal approach to policy and programmes that assist regions. A wide range of public and non-government agencies are involved in regional and local development policies and initiatives across New Zealand. For the most part, there is little co-ordination of activities horizontally across public and private sectors, within regions, and vertically between the layers of government agencies. Government has a key role to play in regional development by providing leadership to overcome the difficulties associated with the small scale and scope of activities in regions and in improving the effectiveness and reducing the costs of its own policies at the regional level.