Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts are experiencing some positive economic trends, with Rangitikei leading the way.
That's according to the latest regional economic report prepared by Palmerston North City Council economic policy analyst Peter Crawford for all councils in the Horizons region.
Mr Crawford said growth in electronic card retail spending in Manawatu-Whanganui accelerated in the June quarter.
Spending in the northwest part of the region, which includes Whanganui, Rangitikei and Ruapehu, increased by 7.9 per cent, helped by retail developments in Bulls. This compares with the national increase of 4.3 per cent. The quarterly growth rate for the whole Horizons region has been higher than the national growth rate since January 2017.
"We are attracting more visitors, both domestic and international, with good growth in Horizons northwest where international spending increased by 12 per cent for the year ending June 2017," Mr Crawford said.