Part of the new Government's coalition agreement included a larger focus on the regions with a new ministerial role created solely for regional economic development.
So The Nation went to Kaitaia, looking at one of those regions hoping to benefit - the far north.
We're joined by Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones, Whangarei MP Shane Reti and former Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira to discuss what needs to be done to turn around the economic fortunes of the region.
And we hear from community leader Ricky Houghton about why he recently called on the Government to declare a state of emergency in the far north.
Watch the video.
