While Porirua’s economy has faced some challenges, there are encouraging signs of growth. Consumer spending was up by 0.7% in the year to September 2024, outpacing the national average. Non-residential consents increased by 15.7%, well above the national decline, and tourism spend rose by 3.8%, driven by initiatives like Kai Tahi and ChoctoberFest. These positive trends show that Porirua is still moving forward, with strong potential for future growth despite current economic pressures.
We have seen huge growth in a number of industries including construction, health, support services, professional, scientific and technology.
With the business boom comes demand for more staff and we’ve seen significant growth in the number of jobs available in Porirua City over the past five years.
There are around 20,000 people working in Porirua City. More than half live and work within our city while others live in other areas and travel here for work. We have a big contingent of Wellingtonians who travel here for work every day while some commute from as far afield as Kapiti, Hutt City, Petone to work in Porirua City.
“A lot of our staff live in Porirua. We find it’s a very easy sell [for staff thinking of moving to the area]. The site provides a wonderful environment to work in.” – Kaetrin Stephenson, General Manager Corporate Services, BRANZ
Read our latest job growth reports from Infometrics
Porirua City is a keen supporter of Partners Porirua, a not-for-profit organisation that helps young people access work programmes. Partners Porirua runs a range of programmes throughout the year including bringing businesses into schools to show students real-world applications of the subjects they are learning.
Porirua remains an ideal location for businesses, offering a central position in the region with easy access to Wellington and surrounding cities. The city’s excellent infrastructure, growing population, and supportive business environment make it a prime spot for entrepreneurs and established companies alike. With a range of properties available for lease at competitive rents, businesses can thrive here while benefiting from strong local networks and business mentoring opportunities. Plus, with its proximity to natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Porirua offers the perfect work-life balance, making it an attractive place to live and work. Whether you’re looking to expand, relocate, or start a new venture, Porirua is the place to grow your business.
For more information, contact the Economic Development Team via email: [email protected].
Porirua City certainly punches above its weight when it comes to professional prowess. We host two of New Zealand’s major crown research institutes (CRI's) – despite being a relatively small city (and not a main centre).
BRANZ, New Zealand’s leading authority on building and construction research, is based at Judgeford, Porirua in a five hectare complex incorporating laboratories, testing facilities, and exposure sites. See more about education and research in Porirua.
ESR (the Institute of Environmental Science and Research) has its base in Kenepuru, Porirua and specialises in science relating to people and communities. ESR has a team of around 400 specialists in water science, forensic science, health science, workplace drug testing, food science, radiation science, social systems, and pharmaceuticals. See more about education and research in Porirua.
Another major employer in Porirua is Capital and Coast District Health Board’s Kenepuru Hospital, which provides a range of inpatient and outpatient health services and specialist rehabilitation services.
The BRANZ vision is inspiring the building and construction industry to provide better buildings for New Zealanders.
Porirua City is home to a contact centre that is leading the charge in customer services and how consumers are engaged.
While 2023 saw a dip in the number of new residential building consents, 2024 has shown a positive rebound, with the number of consents for new dwellings already surpassing last year's total. The expectation is this growth will continue to 2025. This is a strong sign of recovery and continued interest in Porirua as a great place to live and invest.
While overall building consents are slightly down compared to the previous year, recent months have seen signs of growth, aligning with broader economic trends. This ongoing demand for property demonstrates the resilience and attractiveness of Porirua as a desirable location for both residents and developers.
The northern growth area has been identified as one of the largest regional residential developments. To encourage development in our city, Porirua City has recently reviewed it’s Distract Plan to ensure it is well-aligned with future development needs, supporting sustainable growth in the years to come.
Porirua is poised for continued development and revitalisation, and we encourage developers and investors to explore the opportunities available. If you're interested in building or developing property in Porirua, we would love to help where possible please contact The Economic Development team at: [email protected].
If you’re involved in housing and construction in any capacity – make a beeline for Porirua. We have a huge amount of development underway – and business is booming.
