Shaping Central Otago's Economic Future

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We know that economic wellbeing is important to the people of Central Otago. Through the Shaping Tomorrow Together project, approximately 500-1000 members of the community told us about their motivations for living in Central Otago, and about their aspirations for Central Otago over the next 50 years. We now want to build on those results, with a focus on economic development. We created this draft with your input - have we got it right?

What is economic development?

Economic development is about lifting the standard of living for our community through influencing economic growth that aligns with our values.

Council's Economic Development Strategy articulates where we want to be and how we are going to get there. The 10-year strategy is built around a shared vision, target, and four key pillars.

Vision: A thriving Central Otago where increasing incomes, sustainable growth, and shared prosperity are driven by innovation, investment, and the adoption of new technologies.

Our Target: Increase the average Central Otago wage income to the national average by 2035.

Key pillars:

  • Fostering Sustainable Growth and Innovation – Encouraging industries and initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting the environment and enhancing innovation and resilience
  • Building Thriving and Inclusive Communities – Supporting resilient communities with access to quality housing, healthcare, childcare, and public spaces that foster belonging and vibrancy
  • Enabling Connected and Resilient Infrastructure – Investing in future-ready infrastructure that enhances transport, digital connectivity, and economic productivity
  • Partnership and Collaboration – Strengthening partnerships with mana whenua, regional businesses and organisations, and national stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and shared success.

Click here to read the Draft Economic Development Strategy and search for the topics that you're interested in. Click here to read the 'Plan on a page' summary of this document.

Once this strategy is adopted, annual workplans will identify specific initiatives to be undertaken.

How can I provide feedback on this draft strategy?

The draft Economic Development Strategy will be open for community feedback from 13 October - 28 November 2025. Those who participated in this project during the development of the strategy will be emailed a link to provide feedback on the draft document. To provide feedback beginning on 13 October 2025, complete the short survey on this page or pick up a hard copy at any Council Service Centre, library or at the Alexandra Citizens Advice Bureau (ACAN), located in the Alexandra Community House. For accessibility purposes, oral feedback may be provided. Please email lets-talk@codc.govt.nz or call 03 440 0056 and make a request to provide feedback and we will get back to you with more details.

We take your privacy seriously. Any personal details you provide will remain confidential. We do not intend to proactively publish any verbatim comments we receive in response to this survey. The results will be collated in a summary report that will include key themes that come through in the comments.

Please note that comments received for any survey are considered official information and may be released if requested under the Local Government Official information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).

Please read our privacy policy before you begin.


We know that economic wellbeing is important to the people of Central Otago. Through the Shaping Tomorrow Together project, approximately 500-1000 members of the community told us about their motivations for living in Central Otago, and about their aspirations for Central Otago over the next 50 years. We now want to build on those results, with a focus on economic development. We created this draft with your input - have we got it right?

What is economic development?

Economic development is about lifting the standard of living for our community through influencing economic growth that aligns with our values.

Council's Economic Development Strategy articulates where we want to be and how we are going to get there. The 10-year strategy is built around a shared vision, target, and four key pillars.

Vision: A thriving Central Otago where increasing incomes, sustainable growth, and shared prosperity are driven by innovation, investment, and the adoption of new technologies.

Our Target: Increase the average Central Otago wage income to the national average by 2035.

Key pillars:

  • Fostering Sustainable Growth and Innovation – Encouraging industries and initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting the environment and enhancing innovation and resilience
  • Building Thriving and Inclusive Communities – Supporting resilient communities with access to quality housing, healthcare, childcare, and public spaces that foster belonging and vibrancy
  • Enabling Connected and Resilient Infrastructure – Investing in future-ready infrastructure that enhances transport, digital connectivity, and economic productivity
  • Partnership and Collaboration – Strengthening partnerships with mana whenua, regional businesses and organisations, and national stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and shared success.

Click here to read the Draft Economic Development Strategy and search for the topics that you're interested in. Click here to read the 'Plan on a page' summary of this document.

Once this strategy is adopted, annual workplans will identify specific initiatives to be undertaken.

How can I provide feedback on this draft strategy?

The draft Economic Development Strategy will be open for community feedback from 13 October - 28 November 2025. Those who participated in this project during the development of the strategy will be emailed a link to provide feedback on the draft document. To provide feedback beginning on 13 October 2025, complete the short survey on this page or pick up a hard copy at any Council Service Centre, library or at the Alexandra Citizens Advice Bureau (ACAN), located in the Alexandra Community House. For accessibility purposes, oral feedback may be provided. Please email lets-talk@codc.govt.nz or call 03 440 0056 and make a request to provide feedback and we will get back to you with more details.

We take your privacy seriously. Any personal details you provide will remain confidential. We do not intend to proactively publish any verbatim comments we receive in response to this survey. The results will be collated in a summary report that will include key themes that come through in the comments.

Please note that comments received for any survey are considered official information and may be released if requested under the Local Government Official information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA).

Please read our privacy policy before you begin.


Page last updated: 15 Oct 2025, 12:11 PM