A message from Horowhenua’s Mayor for the Electra Business & Innovation Awards
It’s great to join our neighbour, Kāpiti Coast District Council, as a key sponsor for the 2023 Electra Business & Innovation Awards as we celebrate our business community’s incredible growth, ingenuity and success.
These awards are a unique opportunity to showcase the innovation, sustainability, and best practices our businesses and entrepreneurs have demonstrated across all industries and sectors in our rohe. It is a testament to our business community’s dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment. Thank you to all of you for contributing to the district’s growth.
It’s an exciting time for Horowhenua as we experience continued strong growth in both population and households. Each year, the district has seen people drawn to its natural beauty, reflecting its appeal as a destination for families and individuals as a great place to live.
The growth trend is expected to continue over the next two decades, and with growth comes opportunities and challenges. As a district we continue to plan for the district reaching a population of over 60,000 people by 2040, with major subdivisions like Tara-Ika introducing new neighbourhoods and communities to our district.
The Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) Expressway is confirmed and set to be the largest infrastructure project in our district’s history. With further investment in the national roading infrastructure, Horowhenua has become even more accessible.
This investment presents an array of opportunities for Horowhenua. Once completed, the new expressway will see Wellington just an hour’s drive from Levin, increasing the district’s integration with the capital and other major centres, moving us to the heart of the lower North Island economy. Many business owners are already seizing the opportunity to base their businesses in Horowhenua, where costs are low and easily accessible to Wellington.
Thank you to the organisers, judges, sponsors and other supporters who make these awards possible and actively support the growth of vibrant business in the Horowhenua and Kāpiti communities. I would also like to acknowledge Electra for their continued support and sponsorship of these awards, which has made them the longest running business awards in the country.
All the best to the entrants and congratulations to our finalists.