Strategically positioned in the heart of New Zealand Manawatū has long served as a natural distribution center, a role it has played since 1939. Te Utanganui builds on this legacy as the central node in Aotearoa’s logistics network, seamlessly complementing the Golden Triangle and southern Christchurch hubs. The vision for Te Utanganui is to attract more national and global partners, enhance supply chain resilience, and futureproof operations. The name, Te Utanganui, gifted in 2021 by Rangitāne o Manawatū, reflects the concept of an inland port where transient goods arrive by sea, sky, and land, and then depart—ki tai. The multi-year project is accelerating at pace. We recently spoke with Robbie Woods, Programme Director for Te Utanganui, and Jerry Shearman Central Economic Development Agency’s (CEDA) CEO to discuss the recent developments of the project and what lies ahead for the future. Te Utanganui is positioned to meet shifting consumer habits Te Utanganui is more than just infrastructure—it is a strategically designed project aimed at meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world. As e-commerce rises and consumer habits shift, the need for efficient supply chains and logistics networks has never been greater. Te Utanganui anticipates these needs by enabling land development and infrastructure for the future, ensuring not only Manawatū, but central New Zealand is equipped to support our country’s growing reliance on warehousing, transport, and logistics. “Te Utanganui delivers the changing requirements of service provision,” says Jerry. “It enables the region to meet future demands while supporting broader economic activity.” One of Te Utanganui’s standout features is its integrated planning approach. By centralising logistics activity into one area of the region, the project addresses significant challenges in how freight is currently moved around. This includes working collectively across stakeholders to remove freight traffic from inner-city streets, making roads safer, reducing congestion, and extending the lifespan of infrastructure. The current system doesn’t fully enable interregional freight movements—a gap that Te Utanganui is quickly closing. The first of its kind: a collaborative approach to freight distribution The project’s unique proposition lies in its multi-agency partnership model, bringing together iwi partners, KiwiRail, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, local and regional councils, landowners, and other stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures shared responsibility and collective progress towards leveraging Te Utanganui’s role as one of the three key logistics hubs for New Zealand. “This isn’t just about one organisation; it’s a shared vision that unites public and private entities across the country,” Robbie explains. Shaping the future of the national supply chain Te Utanganui Located in central New Zealand, Manawatū’s unique intermodal hub is a transformative project that is redefining the region’s economic landscape, enhancing national productivity and strengthening the national freight and distribution network. For more information visit www.TeUtanganui.co.nz
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