Yesterday, Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, the regional development agency, hosted an event connecting local industry with the significant opportunities emerging from New Zealand’s Defence Capability Plan.

The session brought together local manufacturers, engineers, and technology providers to explore how they can participate in delivering the Government’s $12 billion plan. Key areas of relevance for Taranaki industry include componentry manufacturing, deep asset maintenance, logistics, marine services, and technology.

Stacey Hitchcock, Deputy CE/GM Investment at Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, says the region’s industrial strengths align closely with the national Defence strategy, and it could offer a chance for Taranaki businesses to provide collective capability.

"Taranaki has a highly skilled manufacturing and engineering base that already delivers to the highest international standards," says Hitchcock.

"As New Zealand looks to build more capability at home and deepen its partnership with Australia, our region is well positioned to contribute the skills, innovation, and reliability that is needed. This is a tangible opportunity for Government and regional industry to work together."

The Defence Capability Plan 2025 highlights the importance of harnessing local innovation and technology, and is supported by the newly announced Defence Industry Strategy, which further reinforces resilience in New Zealand’s domestic supply chains. Both documents stress the importance of adapting to a rapidly changing global environment, particularly in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions.

Guest speakers, Josh Wineera and Bryan Dorn from Latent, a New Zealand consultancy dedicated to the defence and national security sector, shared insights into how regional businesses can align their expertise with Defence’s needs, where opportunities may lie for Taranaki businesses, guidance on how to engage with the Wellington defence environment, and prepare and navigate the procurement process.

"With its advanced fabrication, precision engineering, and innovation capacity, Taranaki has the capability to deliver on national priorities and should be recognised both as a sovereign capability and as an important defence hub," says Wineera.

Wineera cites South Australia as a good example of what can be achieved with targeted investment, industrial clustering, and strategic alignment. The South Australian Defence sector contributed $1.96 billion in gross value to the economy in 2023-24.

"South Australia has deliberately and successfully packaged itself as a ‘Defence State’ in Australia. It’s completely feasible to see Taranaki positioned in a similar way."

Venture Taranaki will continue to advocate for local businesses, ensuring regional companies are well positioned to compete and contribute to New Zealand’s enhanced Defence programme.