Taranaki Strengthens Trans-Tasman Industry Ties With HunterNet Agreement

Geopolitical instability and a shifting global environment are driving renewed focus on sovereign capability, resilient supply chains, and closer trans-Tasman cooperation and trade.

Against this backdrop, the Taranaki Alliance has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australian industry network HunterNet, based in Newcastle, strengthening connections between the two regions and enabling greater collaboration on major projects.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between the Taranaki and Hunter industrial ecosystems, enabling businesses on both sides of the Tasman to connect and pursue opportunities, and supporting collaboration across multiple sectors.

Facilitated by Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki and co-designed with industry, the Taranaki Alliance brings together the region’s engineering, manufacturing, and specialist services capability to compete for large-scale industrial opportunities in New Zealand and internationally.

The agreement follows recent announcements by the New Zealand and Australian Governments under the Anzac 2035 framework, which places greater emphasis on defence industry integration, sovereign capability, and cross-border supply chain connectivity.

Kelvin Wright, Chief Executive of Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki, says the agreement with HunterNet reflects a broader global shift.

"We’re seeing a clear move toward resilience, self-reliance, and trusted partnerships. Taranaki has the capability to deliver complex, large-scale projects, and offers the stability and certainty that global partners are looking for. Australia is a natural and immediate partner for us."

"This is a signal to Government, our local industry, and to future global partners that Taranaki is open is for business, serious about these opportunities, and contributing to New Zealand’s sovereign industrial capability."

HunterNet, founded in 1992, is a leading industry network based in the Hunter region of New South Wales (headquarters in Newcastle), representing a broad membership of engineering, manufacturing, and specialist service firms. Similar to the Taranaki Alliance, the organisation plays a central role in connecting industry capability into major national and international supply chains.

Ivan Waterfield, CEO, HunterNet, says the agreement reflects the strength of capability in both regions and the opportunity that comes from connecting complementary industrial ecosystems.

"We see clear alignment between HunterNet’s network and the depth of engineering and manufacturing expertise in Taranaki and we look forward to building on the strong foundations we have already created."

Chair of the Taranaki Alliance, Dean Eggers, says the partnership is a step-change for the region, elevating what local industry is already doing.

"Taranaki businesses are already diversifying beyond energy projects to chase new sector opportunities, but the scale of opportunity created through partnerships like this is beyond any one business. By working together, we can position Taranaki within international supply chains to access larger opportunities."

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