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A report for Gisborne District Council has found investments by the Provincial Growth Fund have crated at least 1500 full time jobs in Tairawhiti and increased GDP by $176 million.
The Business and Economic Research Limited says as of August 2021, $299m was approved for the region and $121m paid out.
Most of the money still to come is for Waka Kotahi to spend on state highway upgrades.
Māori owned businesses or trusts were heavily supported with projects to support environmental restoration and upskill workers.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says the council needs to continue to work with central government, iwi partners and Trust Tairāwhiti to sustain and build on the growth.
Gisborne-Tairāwhiti has the country’s largest share of Māori population and the largest number – 39 per cent – of people under 25.
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