Marlborough Smart+Connected

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Marlborough Smart+Connected is an innovative economic and community development approach, designed to lead the Marlborough region into the future. The Smart+Connected approach is designed to implement the vision developed by Marlborough District Council in partnership with the community. This vision is that:

Marlborough is a globally-connected district of smart, progressive, high-value enterprise, known for our economic efficiency, quality lifestyle and well-being, caring community, desirable location and healthy natural environment.

The approach is intended to provide guidance on actions to ensure that we are:

• Smart: That we think strategically – becoming more efficient, creating new solutions, and leveraging those solutions to create new opportunities;
• Connected: That we act collaboratively – staying informed, and supporting each other locally, nationally and internationally

Implementation

The implementation of the Smart+Connected approach is two-fold. It focuses on both an Industry workstream and a Community workstream. The industry groups currently in operation are:

• Aquaculture
• Blenheim Business Association
• Labour and Skills
• Visitor Economy
• Wood Sector

There are four community groups underway:

• Havelock
• Picton
• Renwick
• Seddon

View more information about Smart + Connected here:

In October 2019, Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) held its Annual Conference in Marlborough. At the Annual Awards dinner held at the Omaka Aviation heritage Centre, the Marlborough Smart+Connected programme received the Award for 'Best Practice in Inclusive Growth', as well as the 'Premier Best Practice Award' for 2019.

These Awards are a testament to the efforts of close to 250 volunteers drawn from across Marlborough’s industries and communities, who have been involved in the Smart+Connected programme since its inception.

• Community Group - Havelock

  Havelock, the township at the base of Pelorus Sound, was the first community to form a Smart and Connected community group.

• Community Group - Picton

  Picton's Smart+Connected group was established in December 2014.

• Community Group - Renwick

  A Smart+Connected community group was set up in Renwick in March 2015.

• Industry Group - Aquaculture

  The aquaculture sector is identified as a significant economic driver within the Marlborough business community, and indeed across the top of south.

• Industry Group - Blenheim Business Association (BBA)

  Under the Smart+Connected Visitor Economy Industry Group and its Adaptive Action Plan, the Blenheim Business Association was formed in early 2015.

• Industry Group - Forestry and Wood Sector

  The wood sector was identified early on as presenting significant economic development potential.

• Industry Group - Labour and Skills

  The issue of labour and skills attraction and retention is becoming a critical one for Marlborough, particularly in light of the region’s rapidly ageing population profile.

• Industry Group - Visitor Economy

  The Visitor Economy industry discussions got underway in July 2014.