Kāpiti is a supportive and connected place to do business with a welcoming and thriving business ecosystem.
Tap into our local business networks and make connections within the business community. Learn about the Kāpiti business networks below to find the one that fits you. Benefit from insider knowledge, supportive business networks and access to capability building.
The Economic Development Kotahitanga Board seeks to support the Māori economy in Kāpiti by fostering partnerships and collaboration to drive economic growth and development in the district. The EDKB has three mana whenua representatives from Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira on the board, supported by a larger Māori ecosystem across the motū.
The Kāpiti Coast is a highly connected business community enriched by a number of vibrant and diverse business networks seeking to support businesses.
These networks offer learning and development opportunities, regular events, opportunities to collaborate and importantly, provide links outside of the district with other businesses, education institutions, investment opportunities, and funding channels with central government.
Business Networking International
BNI (Business Networking International) has three of their nineteen Wellington regional chapters in Kāpiti, and provides a positive, supportive, and structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals. It does so by helping you build personal relationships with dozens of other qualified business professionals. The Kāpiti chapters meet weekly at 6:45am. You can enquire about attending or starting a new chapter on the website. The Director Consultant for Kāpiti is Glenn Owens.
Kāpiti Business Chamber
The Kāpiti Business Chamber provides an independent voice for the Kāpiti business community. It advocates for equitable decision-making, activates social learning spaces, and helps build the relationships that enable our district’s development. Their work supports positive social, environmental, cultural and economic outcomes.
The Kāpiti Business Chamber also provides:
-
Networking & Engagement
-
Advocacy & Storytelling
-
Learning & Development
KEDA
The Kāpiti Economic Development Association (KEDA) is focused on supporting innovation and growth businesses on the Kāpiti Coast. The organisation provides support to the business community through their network of business owners and advisors, offering access to programmes, resources and networks to help businesses thrive.
Ōtaki and Te Horo Business Association
The Ōtaki and Te Horo Business Association is Kāpiti's newest business association. For further information, please contact [email protected].
Raumati Village Business Association
Established in 2020, the Raumati Village Business Association is centered around promoting the “coolest little village by the sea”. It works to support the coastal village town which boasts retail boutiques, beauty services, cafes and eateries, to be a collective voice to impact change, and maximise the opportunities for businesses and the broader community to collaborate and create a thriving place.
Te Rōpū Pakihi
Te Rōpū Pakihi (TRP) is the Kāpiti-Horowhenua Māori Business Network. The network was established in April 2001 by nine founding businesses, many of whom remain core members. Te Rōpū Pakihi believes that it is the influence of kaupapa tuku iho that makes our member businesses unique contributors to our community and economy.
Te Rōpū Pakihi provides a range of services to its membership including:
-
regular business functions, events, and membership promotions;
-
business mentoring, advisory and support services;
-
business networking and whanaungatanga;
-
business clinics and workshops
-
business hot-desking and workspaces.
Te Rōpū Pakihi has its main office located in Ōtaki but supports Māori businesses in the wider Kāpiti Horowhenua region.
Waikanae Business Association
The Waikanae Business Association supports local businesses in and around Mahara Place, home to Toi Mahara Gallery, along with businesses in the Otaihanga, Waikanae Beach, and Peka Peka townships. The association provides a collective voice and identifies opportunities to deliver value to its members, positively impacting quality of life for the community.
The Kāpiti Coast Economic Development Kotahitanga Board, Kapiti Coast District Council , and business networks such as Te Rōpū Pakihi and Kāpiti Business Chamber, all work closely with Wellington’s regional economic development agency, WellingtonNZ, to support businesses in the district.
WellingtonNZ oversees the Regional Business Partner Network which helps to connect small to medium-sized businesses to the right advice, funding, people, and resources. To get access, businesses must first sign up to the Regional Business Partner Network.
Our thriving business ecosystem always has opportunities to connect and learn. Check out the upcoming business events
Submit an event for listing
If you would like to submit your event to be published on the website, please fill in the form below and we will be in touch.
Submit an Event
Kāpiti is home to an array of wonderful theatres, halls, conference facilities, restaurants and bars, often served with wonderful views of the Kapiti Island.
Criteria for listing a venue in our directory
We will list venues that provide a space for business events in Kāpiti. They must be submitted with information about the facilities, limitations, and capacity.
Explore our venues here. A directory of remote working spaces and boardrooms, from conference centres and full service venues.
Anam Cara Gardens, Ōtaki
We are a district dedicated to recognising and celebrating business success.The Kāpiti Coast District Council has been a long-term supporter of the Electra Business and Innovation Awards and Wellington Gold Awards. The awards celebrate innovation, dedication and resilience as well as offering a great opportunity to profile business success and connect with other business leaders.
Electra Business & Innovation Awards
Bringing together the business communities and recognising their successes for over 30 years, the Electra Business & Innovation Awards are considered the longest-running Regional Business Awards in New Zealand.
The Awards celebrate innovation, sustainability and best business practice across all industries within the Kāpiti and Horowhenua regions. Each year local businesses have the opportunity to enter and demonstrate they are ahead of the curve and meeting our rapidly changing world with fresh ideas and solution-focused attitudes.
The benefits from entering are:
-
Validation for your business
-
Marketing opportunities
-
Expert judges feedback
-
An opportunity to learn more about you and your business
-
Network with other like-minded businesses
-
Becoming part of 30 years of business excellence
Whether your business is large or small, whether you’re striving for excellence or achieving it, the Electra Business & Innovation Awards are the ideal stepping stone to learning more about you, your business and the industry via an expert judging panels entry feedback.
Wellington Gold Awards
Since 1999, the Gold Awards have been a cornerstone in celebrating outstanding businesses across the Wellington Region, including more recently Horowhenua. They stand as the premier accolade, shining a bright spotlight on exceptional businesses across diverse industries.
These awards pay tribute to trailblazers, innovators, and leaders who not only foster economic growth but also contribute significantly to community development.
The 2024 Gold Awards invite businesses of all sizes and sectors to showcase their achievements. Entry is made simple with streamlined online forms comprising up to 15 straightforward questions, ensuring accessibility for all.
Participation is free, ensuring a fair and level playing field for all contenders. The Gold Awards Hall of Fame proudly features longstanding Wellington businesses, reflecting the evolution of our business landscape and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Local Kāpiti businesses like Māoriland, We Love Local, Mills Albert, and The Bond Store have all found success through the Gold Awards platform.
Featuring eight main categories and two best practice awards, these awards offer ample opportunities for businesses to vie for recognition within their respective fields.