A shift in demographics throughout the Kāpiti district is offering new opportunities for local businesses, says Chris Wilkinson of First Retail Group.

Chris was speaking at the Southward Car Museum on February 12 for the first Electra Business Breakfast of 2025. The event was titled “What is Kāpiti’s sweet spot?”.

Sharing his insights on leveraging the unique strengths for economic growth of the district (and Ōtaki), Chris said there was a continuing shift in demographics.

“This is providing real opportunities for Kāpiti,” he said. “Increased housing supply across all life stages is enabling the capacity for more younger people and families to live here, creating a noticeable and welcome change in the community.

“This is driving demand for contemporary offers and experiences – which in turn is attracting more people to the district.”

Chris is an economic development expert who is no stranger to Ōtaki and the wider Kāpiti district. Recent projects include the Ōtaki Railway retail and commercial strategy commissioned by Elevate Ōtaki.

His presentation focused on identifying and capitalising on Kāpiti’s “sweet spot” – the unique combination of factors that position the district for economic and social success. He emphasised the importance of understanding the district’s strengths and differentiators, prioritising sectors that would measurably “shift the dial”, and prioritising those that would deliver the greatest, immediate benefit for the community and businesses.

Key themes included:

• Maximising growth in key sectors: Kāpiti boasts strong performance in sectors like construction, healthcare, hospitality and services. Chris highlighted the need to support and expand these industries by removing roadblocks and a culture of making things happen.

• Capitalising on government investment: He emphasised the importance of leveraging upcoming government spending in infrastructure, such as the new Ō2NL (Ōtaki to north of Levin) highway project, to drive economic activity and create new opportunities for local businesses. The district should be hungry for as greater a share of this spending as possible.

• Showcase Kāpiti, strategically: Events create experiences that showcase the district as characterful, unique and fun – aspects that resonate especially well with today’s consumers. Kāpiti needs to keep supporting and evolving these activities to drive both economic and social value.

• Identifying quick wins: He outlined several actionable steps that businesses and the community could take immediately to position Kāpiti for success in the year ahead. These included removing barriers, agility in decisions and actions, upskilling the workforce for capability and capacity, and focusing on the areas where Kapiti can win, quickly.

“Kāpiti is at a pivotal point,” Chris said. “With careful planning and strategic investment, we can unlock significant economic potential and create a thriving future for businesses and residents alike.”