ORED
Otago regional economic development
A collaboration of
![Queenstown M1 Lift, Dawn, Coronet Peak (1)](/media/npphco40/queenstown-m1-lift-dawn-coronet-peak-1.jpg)
Our role
In 2018, economic development agencies across Otago saw an opportunity to work together to share knowledge, ideas and resources for the greater benefit of communities across the Otago region. The Otago Regional Economic Development (ORED) Working Group was subsequently formed - comprising the economic development managers from each Otago district (Dunedin, Clutha, Waitaki, Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes), and representatives from Otago Regional Council.
The ORED Working Group is endorsed by the region’s Mayors and council Chief Executives and has well-established relationships with regional, national and international economic development stakeholders - including businesses, Government agencies, and international organisations.
We are uniquely placed to facilitate discussions between stakeholders, and to promote Otago’s economic development priorities and projects to the funders and investors needed to help make them happen.
![Clutha The Nuggets](/media/deef0y4b/clutha-the-nuggets.jpg)
Our commitment
Otago has a dispersed population and diverse local economies, creating a unique set of both opportunities and challenges for cross-regional economic development collaboration. Through working together to develop the opportunities and overcome the challenges, our aim is to get the best possible outcomes for communities across Otago. To do this, the Working Group is committed to:
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working towards establishing authentic and enduring relationships and partnerships with Iwi
- Facilitating conversations between regional stakeholders on economic development priorities
- Identifying and promoting priority investments for the region which support the Government’s vision of creating more productive, resilient, inclusive, sustainable and Māori-enabling regional economies.
![Otago Reference Pic](/media/e3di0pzh/otago-reference-pic.png)
ORED Projects
ORED is leading, developing and collaborating on various economic development projects involving multiple Otago stakeholders.
VIEW ORED PROJECTS →
Our journey so far
In 2019, the Working Group developed the ORED Strategic Framework in collaboration with independent advisors and key Government and regional stakeholders.
The Framework was an important first step in documenting the Group’s shared knowledge, values and priorities. It was intended to support focused and productive long-term collaboration between the Working Group and to:
- Help the Working Group identify and assess priorities for economic development across Otago
- Provide a basis for the Working Group to identify economic development projects that align with the strategic priorities
- Provide a basis for ongoing engagement with stakeholders within and beyond the Otago region.
Read the framework here→
The Working Group continues to meet regularly to share knowledge, insights and project ideas.
OTAGO REGIONAL SKILLS LEADERSHIP GROUP
The Otago Regional Skills Leadership Group (RSLG) was established in July 2019 to facilitate conversations about Otago’s labour market needs. The RSLG disbanded in 2024 and ORED has agreed to host its publications to ensure they remain accessible.
Learn more about the Otago RSLG →
The next step - building partnerships and growing the vision
The Working Group is currently working on developing the key stakeholder relationships and partnerships that will help us progress the Framework. We are also using this opportunity to develop a more widely shared vision for the region, to review and adapt the Framework to reflect the current context and stakeholder aspirations. Most importantly, we are working on establishing the enduring relationships, partnerships and processes that will support the success of ORED and the Framework over the long term.
As these relationships and partnerships are established and the ORED Framework evolves, the scope our engagement and communication with the Otago community, will widen.