Kai Aku Rika Impact Group formed to drive Selwyn’s economic development strategy
Selwyn District Council media release: 1st October 2025
A new collective of business and community leaders in Selwyn has been formed to support the Waikirikiri Selwyn economy.
The Kai Aku Rika Impact Group brings together 12 industry leaders to help guide and activate the Kai Aku Rika, Waikirikiri Selwyn’s Economic Development Strategy. One of these members represents Selwyn District Council, ensuring a strong connection between the group and council priorities.
The strategy is business owned and driven and was developed with input from over 250 Selwyn business leaders. It was endorsed by the Selwyn District Council and six other strategic partners in August 2024, with the Impact Group formed to play a key role in guiding the Strategy’s Action Plan.
Director of Strategic Partnerships at Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University Wim de Koning says working together has been key throughout the process
“It has been a true collaborative journey from the onset of the Kai Aku Rika Economic Development Strategy 2024–2034. From open-entry meetings and discussions with the business community, seeing our voices reflected in the strategy, to now enabling the business community to have a tangible impact in weaving our region’s economic future together.”
The group will meet quarterly and work together bringing a connection across sectors to unlock resources and bring strategic insights to drive the roll out of the strategy, and ensure it remains relevant, responsive, and actionable.
Council Acting Chief Executive Steve Gibling says the group is focused on turning strategy into action “Waikirikiri Selwyn has always been a place of opportunity and growth. The Council has played a role in bringing together leaders, invested in Selwyn’s future, to help deliver on that via the Kai Aku Rika Impact Group. This group have some exciting developments planned through the strategy to maximise those opportunities.
“This is not another governance board, it’s a leadership group built on relationships, implementation, and collective commitment to economic development. Its strength is in its ability to act, connect, and enable change.”
Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd Chief Executive Cory Neale says Waikirikiri Selwyn’s strength lies in collective effort “Kai Aku Rika channels that - linking iwi, business, and community, and weaving a kupenga of local leaders to catch opportunity and share its benefits. I’m proud to be part of this mahi and excited for what we’ll unlock together.”
The Kai Aku Rika Impact Group has held its inaugural meeting and will hold its next hui in mid-October 2025. A full list of members is available on the Selwyn District Council website.
He toki ki te rangi, he kō ki te whenua, he pito mata ki aku rika – raise the adze to the sky, ground the kō in the earth; the potential is in our hands.