Industry //

News & updates

Find out about the latest visitor industry events, news and marketing campaigns right here.

Stay in touch with our latest updates from CEDA.
Sign up to the 'Visitor Industry Update' enewsletter at the bottom of this page.

November, 2025

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT SURVEY INSIGHTS

Since 2021, CEDA has undertaken regular community sentiment surveys to gauge local sentiment toward the visitor sector, and to ensure we have robust, community‑grounded insights informing the Manawatū Destination Management Plan (DMP). Understanding local perceptions on the value of the visitor industry in our region ensures we can work together to sustainably grow visitor activity and value for the benefit of our community.

The feedback received through this survey process informs how we market Manawatū, support local businesses, and grow the value visitors bring - all while enhancing quality of life for residents.

He Ara Kotahi Bridge, Palmerston North Manawatū

industry news //

News

November, 2025

News

March, 2024

Taking Manawatū to the world!

CEDA attended the annual InBound Travel event where we pitched Manawatū to 60+ Inbound Tour Operators in a fast paced two-day event hosted in Tāmaki Makaurau. We were able to showcase 11 of our region’s trade-ready tourism businesses as well as key themes and experiences on offer to small groups and independent travellers.

Manawatu | Stormy Point sunset with sheep ManawatuNZ.co .nz

News

September, 2024

Quarterly Economic Manawatū Snapshot

Manawatū's economy reflects the national slowdown, with softening labour market conditions and reduced construction investment, but resilience in key industries and an optimistic outlook for 2025 offer hope for recovery.

Read full article >>

News

November, 2023

Manawatū regains pre-pandemic visitor spend

Manawatū was in the top three regions in New Zealand to gain visitor spending above our pre pandemic levels, with a total increase of 125%.

Read full article >>

About your Regional Tourism Organisation, CEDA Page 1 Image 0001

News

November, 2023

About your Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) - CEDA

The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) is the economic development agency and regional tourism organisation for the Manawatū region, which encompasses Palmerston North and the Manawatū district.

Read full article >>

Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair w1200 cropped

News

November, 2023

Promote your event on Eventfinda

Promote on Eventfinda – help us lift the region’s profile and attract visitors to your next event Do you have an event coming up during Summer? And are you using Eventfinda…

Read full article >>

News

June, 2023

New research into Manawatū's visitors

New research looks into who’s visiting and why, and where we should be focusing our marketing efforts.

Read full article >>

News

May, 2023

Manawatū retail card spending growth continues to outperform New Zealand average

Electronic card retail spending in Manawatū for the March 2023 quarter, continues to show increased growth over the New Zealand average, with a 6.4% increase compared to 5.1% nationally.

Read full article >>

Family out glamping at Ridge Top Farm Feilding

News

April, 2023

Regional Agritourism Accelerator

Regional Agritourism Accelerator comes to Manawatū CEDA are thrilled to bring the Regional Agritourism Accelerator to Manawatū!

Read full article >>

Newly refreshed Manawatū Destination Management Plan

News

March, 2023

Newly refreshed Manawatū Destination Management Plan

The newly refreshed Manawatū Destination Management Plan. Over the last year, CEDA has been working to refresh the region's Destination Management Plan, following a pandemic that has systematically changed our…

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News

February, 2023

Manawatū Regional Video Showcase

A Taster of Manawatū. CEDA have been creating some new content to help celebrate and showcase the best of Manawatū. CEDA works to build the profile of Manawatū and…

Read full article >>

Community Sentiment Survey Insights 2021-2022

News

April, 2023

Community Sentiment Survey Insights 2022-2023

Understanding Community Sentiment to Visitation. Over the last two years, CEDA has been seeking the voices of our community to understand and monitor the sentiment towards sharing our region with…

Read full article >>

Events.

Featured Event

February 10th, 2026

Manawatū visitor collective

Connections, collaboration, and collective growth - that’s what our Visitor Sector Collective is all about.

Join our quarterly Manawatū Visitor Sector catch-up, this time hosted by Awastone!

The purpose of these events are to meet, reconnect and network with other businesses in the visitor sector, to share and test ideas in a relaxed and informal setting, and to showcase our visitor sector businesses to each other.

RSVP >>

Upcoming industry events //

Events

Manawatū Visitor Collective

Join our quarterly Manawatū Visitor Sector catch-up, this time hosted by Awastone!

The purpose of these events are to meet, reconnect and network with other businesses in the visitor sector, to share and test ideas in a relaxed and informal setting, and to showcase our visitor sector businesses to each other.

Date:

Tuesday 10th of February 2026

Location:

Kaitahi Lodge

RSVP by 23rd of January>>

Events

Manawatū Visitor Collective

Join our quarterly Manawatū Visitor Sector catch-up, this time hosted by Jazz and Ryan at Kaitahi Lodge!

The purpose of these events are to meet, reconnect and network with other businesses in the visitor sector, to share and test ideas in a relaxed and informal setting, and to showcase our visitor sector businesses to each other.

Date:

Wednesday 19th of November 2025

Location:

Kaitahi Lodge

RSVP by 7th of November >>

SaddleHills Luxury B&B, Ashhurst, Manawatū

Events

Manawatū Visitor Collective

Join our quarterly Manawatū Visitor Sector catch-up, this time hosted by Sarah and Lewis at SaddleHills Luxury B&B!

The purpose of these events are to meet, reconnect and network with other businesses in the visitor sector, to share and test ideas in a relaxed and informal setting, and to showcase our visitor sector businesses to each other.

Date:

Thursday 4th of September 2025 (3 - 5pm)

Location:

SaddleHills Luxury B&B

RSVP by 29th of August >>

Events

TRENZ 2025

CEDA is taking Manawatū to TRENZ for the first year ever, with the support of our region's key tourism operators. TRENZ is Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest trade event and connection to the global tourism trade industry.

Visitor Marketing Workshop

CEDA is running a visitor industry-specific marketing workshop this year. This will be tailored to the needs of a visitor operator in the Manawatū region. Keep an eye on our industry hub and CEDA communications for more information to come, or to register interest.

Date:

May 29th, 2025

Location:

Manfield Park, Feilding

Events

Inbound Trade Event (IBO) 2025

CEDA is representing Manawatū at the annual Inbound Trade Event (IBO) this year. The purpose of the event is for dedicated time between the regions and agents to provide each other on updates. For RTOs, this is an update on new products or initiatives in the region and for agents, this is to advise RTOs of the potential opportunities from their clients.

Date:

March 18-19, 2025

Location:

Crowne Plaza, Auckland

Events

Manawatū Visitor Sector Collective

Join our first Manawatū Visitor Sector catch-up at Rathmoy Estate!

The purpose of this event is to reconnect and network with other businesses in the visitor sector, to share and test ideas, collaborate, and to showcase your business and to have fun doing it!

Date:

Thursday 14th of November 2024 (3-5:30pm)

Location:

Rathmoy Estate

RSVP by 8th november >>

Events

Tourism Summit Aotearoa

Join industry leaders and influencers at Tourism Summit Aotearoa 2024.

Widely regarded as tourism’s must-attend thought leadership event, Tourism Summit Aotearoa is a key event on the annual tourism calendar, bringing together more than 300 business and industry leaders from around New Zealand.

Date:

Wednesday 06 November 2024

Akiaki - Advancing Tourism Online Course

Akiaki is an online learning programme, to help you understand the principles of sustainable tourism and how you can take practical steps within your own business.

TRADE READY WORKSHOP

How to grow your international market by working with tourism trade. Register your interest below and confirm eligibility for 50% funding. Spaces are limited.

Date:

July 22, 2024

Location:

Orlando Country, Palmerston North

Events

MYBIZ: ONE TO SOME

Register for a comprehensive business planning workshop with MYBIZ. Gain the skills to develop an actionable business plan that can be used as a working document to assist growth in your business. Register your interest below and confirm eligibility for up to $300 funding. Spaces are limited.

Date:

June 26, 2024

Location:

The Cooperage, Palmerston North

Events

2024 Manawatū Accommodation Sector Workshop

We want to work together with the accommodation sector to future proof our region’s growth, and leverage the strengths and opportunities collectively. For more info and to RSVP, email [email protected].

Date:

February 20, 2024

Location:

Manawatū

Want to stay up to date with industry news? Sign up to VISITOR INDUSTRY UPDATES, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDES, QUARTERLY ECONOMIC UPDATES, seasonal events and more.

SUBSCRIBE >>

Contact the team

We’re here to help. If you have any questions about how to work with CEDA, want to learn more about opportunities, or if you have further questions, please reach out to our team.

Michelle Jurgens

Sector Development Senior - Visitor

[email protected]

Janet Reynolds

Marketing and Communications
Manager

[email protected]

Industry //

News & updates

Find out about the latest visitor industry events, news and marketing campaigns right here.

COMMUNITY SENTIMENT SURVEY INSIGHTS

News

industry news //

Community Sentiment Survey Insights

Quarterly Electronic Card Retail Spending