As the regional development agency for Taranaki, Te Puna Umanga, Venture Taranaki supports local entrepreneurship and enterprises to grow, promotes our region, and helps develop our sectors, building a thriving Taranaki economy that supports the well-being of our region’s people and environment. We work with key stakeholders across a wide range of industries and sectors, local and national government, community groups, iwi, and individual enterprises to support the region’s development.

Our work is guided by our regional economic development strategy, Tapuae Roa 2025/26. This action plan ensures that Taranaki is proactively and pragmatically striving to meet the region’s collective vision. They focus on the things we can do right here and now by tapping into our talent and regional strengths.

We are currently engaged with projects in the European Union through the IURC (International Urban and Regional Cooperation) Programme Phase 2 and are actively pursuing opportunities highlighted through the Horizon Europe Research Fund. Taranaki was partnered with Vilnius from Lithuania for Phase 1 of the IURC programme. This included bilateral exchanges and involved other key regional players including Ara Ake, Hiringa, and the New Plymouth District Council.