Wellington Regional Leadership Committee — Regional Industrial Land Study

Building a stronger regional economy, together.

Industrial land is where our region’s businesses get things done, from logistics and warehousing to manufacturing, trades, and essential services. Ensuring there’s enough of it, in the right places and ready to go, is key to supporting jobs, productivity, and local prosperity.

For the first time, councils, iwi, and regional partners have worked together to understand what industrial land we have, what we’ll need, and where the opportunities and challenges lie.

Why it matters

Industrial land supports local jobs and essential services
It helps existing businesses stay and grow in their communities
It enables clean, green, and future-focused industry
Well-located sites reduce traffic, emissions, and transport costs
Good placement also reduces impacts on nearby residential areas
Serviced, accessible land can help attract new businesses to the region
Regional coordination avoids duplication, fills gaps, and makes better use of shared infrastructure

Status

N/A

Start Date

Due Date

Lead Organisation

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Deliverables

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What the study found

The Wellington region will need around 697 hectares of additional industrial land by 2051
Many existing industrial areas face constraints, including:
- Natural hazards (flooding, sea level rise)
- Development pressure from other land use
- Infrastructure limitations or access issues
Shortages are already emerging in parts of the region, especially Wellington City, the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti and Wairarapa
Some land zoned as industrial isn’t available or suitable for actual use (e.g. fragmented, unserviced, poorly located)
Industrial land planning has mostly been done locally – the study highlights the need for a more coordinated approach

What happens next

The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee is taking an active role in responding to the study’s findings. A new Industrial Land Steering Group (ILSG) has been set up to:

Support councils, iwi, and partners to implement the study’s recommendations
Monitor industrial land supply and demand over time
Identify shared challenges and opportunities across boundaries
Coordinate where it makes sense to do so while enabling local leadership

This work is closely aligned with the Future Development Strategy and the Regional Economic Development Plan, ensuring that our approach to housing, business, transport and infrastructure all work together to support regional wellbeing.

Why a coordinated approach matters

We share challenges. Natural hazards, infrastructure constraints, and land availability don’t stop at district boundaries. A joined-up view helps us plan for resilience and growth across the whole region.
We can make better use of shared infrastructure. Roads, rail, ports, and services often support multiple areas. Coordinating industrial land with infrastructure planning helps reduce duplication and lowers costs.
Businesses think regionally. Many industries operate across council boundaries — they move goods, people, and services throughout the region. A coordinated approach reflects how the economy actually works.
It supports balanced growth. Without coordination, some areas risk oversupply while others face shortages. Regional oversight helps ensure land is available where it’s needed most — not just where it’s easiest to zone.
It helps councils, iwi, and government work together. A shared picture of supply and demand gives all partners the information they need to make confident, aligned decisions — whether for zoning, infrastructure, or investment.

Find out more

Future Development Strategy

Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan 2022 – 2032

Refreshed in 2024 Read more here

Published 20 Aug 2025

Download now (PDF 8.4 MB)