Rangitīkei's Ngā Wairiki-Ngāti Apa rūnanga (council) and the UCOL polytechnic have agreed to work together on development opportunities for whānau living in the region.
The aim is to encourage new growth across educational, economic, cultural, social and environmental areas.
A memorandum of understanding was signed last week at Te Poho o Tuariki, the rūnanga base in Marton, formerly Turakina Maōri Girls' College.
Education, training and economic opportunities are a particular focus, rūnanga chief executive Grant Huwyler said.
READ MORE:
• Whanganui UCOL welcomes polytechnic merger: Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie predicts devastation for region
• UCOL Whanganui students have a smashing time at Stress-Less Week
• Job opportunities for students of UCOL Whanganui's new trades training courses
• Helen Clark cuts cake for UCOL's 10th birthday, tells audience 'You might have lost everything'